Wine & Spirit Education Trust
Level 1 Foundation
Certificate in Wine
A Guide to Approval as a
WSET®
Programme Provider
2008 - 2009
A Guide to Approval as a Programme Provider (APP) for the
WSET® Level 1 Foundation Certificate in Wine
Programme Providers wishing to offer the WSET ® Level 1 Foundation Certificate in Wine must first complete
the general application for approval as a Programme Provider for WSET ® Qualifications (APPGEN0) and
ensure that all the approval criteria and requirements have been met. The Foundation Certificate application
form (APPFC1) should only be completed after reading this guide carefully.
WSET® Level 1 Foundation Certificate in Wine
The Foundation Certificate qualification provides a basic introduction to the main styles of wine available to
front line staff involved in the service or sale of wine. The qualification introduces candidates to the
techniques of tasting wines and the characteristics of the common grape varieties used to produce them.
The qualification aims to provide the basic product knowledge and skills required to prepare a person for
their first job in the wine industry.
Holders of the WSET® Level 1 Foundation Certificate in Wine will be able to describe the main styles of wine
available and have a basic understanding of factors that determine these. They will be able to describe in
general terms the characteristics of the principal grape varieties, have a rudimentary understanding of the
health, safety and legal considerations when serving or selling wine and be able to assess wine using the
WSET® Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting Technique.
Assessment for this qualification is by means of a multiple choice paper of 30 questions, and the course
includes a mandatory practical food and wine matching exercise and the production of a portfolio of tasting
notes.
WSET® Approved Level 1 Foundation Certificate Tutors
The WSET® Level 1 Foundation Certificate in Wine must be delivered by a suitably trained and qualified
tutor. Tutors will be required to:
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Satisfy WSET® Awards that they are competent to train candidates in the subjects covered;
Agree to conduct assessments and examinations in line with WSET ® Awards’ instructions.
The registration criteria on which an applicant’s competence is judged can include the following types of
qualifications. Those applicants without formal qualifications but relevant experience in the wine, hospitality,
training and education sectors will also be considered.
Training qualifications
Individuals wishing to deliver the Foundation Certificate in Wines must have completed either of the following
WSET® courses:
 WSET® Educator qualification. New tutors will be required to complete the WSET ® Educator
programme and have passed the module covering the delivery of the Foundation Certificate in
Wine; or
 Be an existing WSET® Tutor who has completed the Foundation Tutor training.
Subject qualifications
In addition, tutors should also hold:
 The WSET® Level 1 Foundation Certificate in Wine; or
 The WSET® Level 2 Intermediate Certificate in Wines, Spirits or an equivalent qualification; or
Experience
Individuals who do not hold WSET qualifications may be considered eligible for the WSET Educator scheme
based on:
 General training, instructional and educational experience;
 Specific training, instructional and educational experience in, or relevant to, the subject matter
of the qualification.
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Approved Programme Providers (APPs) must abide by the following criteria in addition to the criteria
laid out in the General Registration Documents:
Criteria for the WSET® Level 1 Foundation Certificate in Wine
(To be read in conjunction with Application Form APPFC1)
1.1
The APP must ensure that all staff are competent and trained to deliver the WSET ® Level 1
Foundation Certificate in Wine qualification.
1.2
The APP must provide WSET® Awards with the full name of the Tutor(s) together with relevant
qualifications and teaching/training experience. This enables the Wine and Spirit Education Trust
to ensure that all candidates sitting our examinations through an Approved Programme Provider
are taught by adequately trained personnel.
1.3
The WSET Level 1 Certificate in Wines is available in English and certain other languages as set
out on page 28 of the APP General Guide to Approval. Please state in which language(s) you wish
to offer this qualification.
1.4
The APP must demonstrate that they are following the course programme for the WSET ® Level 1
Foundation Certificate in Wine. APPs will be required to produce the course programme during the
Approval Visit.
1.5
The APP must provide WSET® Awards with a copy of the course prospectus and information
provided to their candidates.
1.6
The APP must provide evidence of course details to include:
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Fees charged (this may not be applicable for courses run as part of an in-house staff
training or development programme)
Any additional charges to candidates
Registration documents
Any publicity material
These should be made available during the approval visit, however WSET ® Awards reserves the
right to request this information on an annual basis thereafter.
1.7
The APP must ensure that each candidate has access to the WSET ® Level 1 Foundation
Certificate in Wine qualification specification.
The specification provides candidates with
information on examination regulations, learning outcomes and sample examination questions.
1.8
The APP must ensure that the Level 1 Foundation Certificate Food and Wine Matching activity and
the Portfolio of Tasting Notes activity are administered by an approved WSET ® Level 1 Foundation
Certificate Tutor and that samples are retained for review by WSET ® Awards during the approval
visit.
1.9
The APP must notify WSET® Awards immediately of any changes to their which affects the running
of WSET® qualifications. Failure to do so may affect the approval status of the programme
provider.
1.10
The APP must retain the Portfolio Tracking Record each time the course is run, and for one course
per academic year, the APP must retain copies of the completed portfolio of tasting notes, and the
completed food and wine matching activity sheets for each student.
1.11
The APP is responsible for ensuring that the teaching and examination venue permit the sampling
of alcohol and the APP is responsible for ensuring that it is compliant will all relevant legislation and
local regulation relating to the provision and consumption of alcohol.
1.12
The APP must agree to implement the Level 1 Foundation Certificate examination regulations
currently in force. These will be found in the Operating Handbook which is issued to all APPs.
1.13
The APP must agree to adhere to the Code of Practice and Criteria as detailed in the General
Guide to Approval as a WSET ® Programme Provider. Where an APP is found to be in breach of
the Code of Practice or Criteria their approval status may be revoked.
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What to do next
To make an application for approval as a Programme Provider able to offer the WSET ® Level 1 Foundation
Certificate in Wine you will need to follow the procedures below.
1.
If you are not already an Approved Programme Provider, complete the Approved Programme
Provider general application form (APPGEN0).
2.
New and existing the application should complete the form for approval to offer the WSET ® Level 1
Foundation Certificate in Wine (APPIC1).
3.
WSET® Awards will acknowledge receipt of your application within five working days.
4.
Upon receipt of your Approved Programme Provider application form, WSET ® Awards will review
your application and if everything is in order we will contact you to agree a mutually convenient
time to conduct your Approval Visit.
5.
If your tutor does not already meet the necessary WSET ® teaching criteria, we will discuss how this
can be achieved in order that your approval can proceed.
6.
Following the Approval Visit, WSET ® Awards will confirm the outcome of your application in writing.
7.
For Overseas applicants only, where it is not possible for WSET ® Awards to conduct an Approval
Visit within six weeks of receipt of your application, and where all criteria have been met in the
documentation, WSET® Awards may offer Provisional Approval as a Programme Provider pending
the successful outcome of the Approval Visit.
8.
Following initial Approval, WSET ® Awards will arrange further review visits at least every THREE
years to ensure continued adherence to the APP criteria.
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