Ready to take your wine knowledge up a level? Here is exactly what to expect on the WSET Level 2 Wine Course in Manchester, from the moment your study pack lands on the mat to the day you sit your exam.
You will leave able to taste like a pro, talk confidently about grapes and regions, and back it all up with a respected qualification. Whether you work in the trade or simply love a good glass, this is where things get properly interesting.
Book your WSET Level 2 Wine 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 wine, as well as people working in bars, restaurants, retail and the wider drinks trade.
We see all sorts on this course, from hospitality and bar teams sharpening up across Greater Manchester to keen enthusiasts who simply want to understand wine properly. If you already know your Rioja from your Chablis and want to know why they taste so different, you will feel right at home. Newer to it all? You will be welcomed, supported and never made to feel out of your depth.
At Level 2, who teaches you matters. Our educators are WSET qualified and spend real time in the vineyards and regions they cover, so you learn wine from people who have walked the rows and met the makers, not just read the notes.
We have been an independent, founder-led Manchester school since 2014, set up by John Callow, and we have taught thousands of students along the way. Our consistent five-star reviews on Google, Tripadvisor and Facebook reflect how seriously we take both the teaching and the welcome.
Here is something that sets us apart. We wrote our own exclusive study guides, and they have become a big reason our pass rate sits comfortably above the WSET industry average.
They are free to every student, and learners lean on them right up to exam day, which is part of why so many come straight back for the next level. Take a closer look at our WSET Wines 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 resist the urge to scribble notes just yet. You will work through each module together in class, and that is when it really clicks.
Over the course, you will get to grips with:
Your sessions are led by John, a WSET Certified Educator, so you are in genuinely expert hands throughout. Days usually start at 10 am, so aim to arrive by 9.50, 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 with lunch included in your fee. Days run to around 5.30 pm.
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.
Do well, and you could earn a merit at 70 to 84%, or a distinction at 85% and above. Every successful student receives a certificate and a WSET lapel pin, and top performers may even be put forward for WSET scholarships, including once-in-a-lifetime trips to wineries around the world.
Marking is handled by WSET in London, so results take up to around three weeks. We will email you the moment we hear, then post your certificate and pin by signed for delivery shortly after.
Once you have your Level 2, the natural next step is the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, where everything goes deeper. Fancy branching out? Spirits have their own qualification now, so take a look at the WSET Level 2 Spirits Course too. You can also save by booking more than one course together with our course bundle deals.
Want to read a little more before you commit? Our WSET Questions and Answers post covers what students ask us most, and if you fancy something completely different, our Sake Sommelier course opens up a whole new world.
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 wine. You will need Level 2 before moving on to Level 3.
How much does it cost?
Classroom courses start from £530, 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. There is plenty of wine tasting involved, 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 purpose. Pick your format, choose your date and join us in Manchester.
Book your WSET Level 2 Wine course
Prefer a chat first? Get in touch, and we will help you find the right option for you.
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