Serious about spirits? Here is exactly what to expect on the WSET Level 2 Spirits Course in Manchester, from your study pack arriving to the day you sit your exam.
You will come away able to taste with real confidence, explain what makes a whisky, rum or gin taste the way it does, and prove your knowledge with a respected qualification. Whether you work behind a bar or simply love good spirits, this is where it gets seriously interesting.
Book your WSET Level 2 Spirits course
The Level 2 is an intermediate course, and you do not need to have taken Level 1 first. It suits anyone with a real interest in spirits, and it is especially popular with bartenders, bar managers and hospitality teams across Greater Manchester’s busy bar scene.
If you already know your way around a back bar and want to understand the why behind each bottle, you will feel right at home. And if you work in hospitality, this is the course that turns you into the person on the team who genuinely knows their stuff, recommends with confidence and helps the bar sell more. Newer to it all but keen to learn? You will be welcomed, supported and never made to feel out of your depth.
Spirits reward genuine expertise, so it helps to learn from people who live and breathe them. Our WSET-qualified educators visit the distilleries and producers they teach, which means you get the real story behind each category rather than a textbook summary.
We are an independent, founder-led Manchester school, set up by John Callow in 2014, and we have taught thousands of students since. Our consistent five-star reviews on Google, Tripadvisor and Facebook speak to both the quality of the teaching and the warmth of the welcome.
You will not be left to wade through it alone. Every Northern Wine School student gets our exclusive Spirits study guides for free, and they are a big reason our pass rate sits comfortably above the WSET industry average.
Learners return to their course after course, right up to exam day. Take a closer look at our WSET Spirits study guides before you book.
Classroom courses run at The Castlefield Hotel in central Manchester, a short walk from the city centre and easy to reach by tram or train. Would you rather learn from home? You can also study online through the WSET Digital Classroom and sit your exam remotely.
You can take the course in the way that suits you best:
Whichever you choose, you get the same syllabus, the same expert teaching, and the same free study guides that help so many of our students pass the first time. You can also spread the cost and pay in three instalments at no extra cost.
Around two weeks before you start, your study pack arrives by post. Have a read-through to get a feel for what is coming, but save the detailed notes for class. You will work through each module together, and that is when it really clicks.
Over the course, you will get to grips with:
Your sessions are led by a WSET Certified Educator, so you are in genuinely expert hands throughout. Days usually start mid-morning, so aim to arrive a little early, especially on day one when there are introductions and check-in to sort out.
You will have coffee breaks in the morning and afternoon, plus a lunch break, and the day wraps up in the late afternoon.
You will sit the exam at the end of your final session. Bring valid photo ID such as a passport or driving licence, because you cannot take the exam without it.
The exam is one hour long, with 50 multiple-choice questions, and you need 55% to pass. Higher marks earn a merit or a distinction, and every successful student receives a certificate and a WSET lapel pin, along with the right to use the WSET Certified logo.
Marking is handled by WSET in London, so results take a little time to come through. We will email you the moment we hear, then send on your certificate and pin shortly after.
Caught the whisky bug in particular? Take a look at The Council of Whiskey Masters for a deeper dive. Prefer to branch into wine? Our WSET Level 2 Wine Course is a natural partner, and you can save by booking more than one course together with our course bundle deals.
Want to read a little more before you commit? What is Gin is a fun place to start, and our WSET Questions and Answers post covers what students ask us most. Not ready for an exam just yet? One of our relaxed whisky, rum and spirits tastings is a lovely way to dip in first.
Do I need to take Level 1 first?
No. Level 2 builds on Level 1, but you can start here as long as you have a genuine interest in spirits.
How much does it cost?
Classroom courses start from £600, with online options also available, and you can pay in three instalments. Pop over to the booking page for the latest dates and prices.
What do I need to bring on exam day?
Valid photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence. Without it, you will not be able to sit the exam, so it is worth double-checking the night before.
Do I have to be over 18?
Yes. You will taste around 30 spirit samples, so the course is for over-18s only.
What if I do not pass the first time?
Do not worry, it happens, and you can resit the exam. Just get in touch, and we will talk you through your options.
You now know exactly what to expect, so there is nothing standing between you and a glass with a story behind it. Pick your format, choose your date and join us in Manchester.
Book your WSET Level 2 Spirits course
Prefer a chat first? Get in touch, and we will help you find the right option for you.
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