Frequently Asked Questions

Slate Wine & Spirits Academy Related Questions

How do I register? 

If you’re ready to register for a course, the easiest and fastest way to book is through our website. You can find the next course available through the relevant qualification page. If you still have questions, please send us a message through our contact us page.

Where is the school located? 

We are a Central Florida-based school that offers classes in Orlando, Tallahassee, and Gainesville. Our main office is located at 1221 N. Orange Ave, Orlando, FL, 32804. Please see the individual qualification pages for classroom locations.

Where do I park? 

Parking directions are sent out prior to each course but don’t worry, as each classroom offers ample parking.

At what level do I become a sommelier? 

A sommelier is a very important position in the hospitality field but it is more of a job title than one single certification. We have had MANY students go on to become very successful sommeliers after taking courses at our academy but many also go into distribution, importing, consulting, and even retail. At the end of the day, it is the specific duties of your job position that determines when you become a sommelier.

Do you have to be 21 years old to attend the classes and tastings? 

Yes. We require anyone taking our WSET courses to be 21 years or older.

I am traveling to take a course at your academy. Can my materials be shipped to another state? 

Yes, we ship materials and certificates anywhere inside of the United States. All domestic shipping is included in the price of the course.

I am interested in taking a course but I am not ready to commit to a date. Can I just buy the corresponding textbook? 

Unfortunately not. We do not sell or ship out any study materials unless a student is officially registered for a course. However, the WSET does sell a la carte books on their UK-based website here: https://shop.wsetglobal.com/collections/books.

Is lunch included in the cost of the all-day courses? 

Lunch is not included, however, students receive a 60-minute break to eat. Many of our courses are taught in major city centers so there are plenty of options for places to eat!

Do you offer scholarships or discounts for courses? 

We do offer scholarships! Please see the corresponding page of our site HERE to learn more.

How soon after I register for a course can I expect my books?

All books and study packs are shipped out the business day following the student’s registration confirmation. The confirmation process takes anywhere from a few hours to three business days depending on the WSET’s response time. If you have further questions about this please contact us at [email protected].

How do I know my course registration is confirmed? 

A course confirmation email will be sent from our registration team within three business days of receiving the order. This will be sent to the email provided in your registration form. Please refrain from booking any travel or accommodation until you receive the confirmation email.

WSET Related Questions

What is WSET? 

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust is an awarding body and registered charity devoted to the development and delivery of qualifications and courses in wines, spirits, and sake. Established in 1969 for the UK wine trade, WSET has since grown to become the global industry leader. WSET provides best-in-class education and qualifications to inspire and empower the world’s wine and spirits professionals and enthusiasts. WSET qualifications are globally recognized as the international standard in wine and spirit knowledge. They are designed for those who are just starting out in their careers, as well as established professionals, and the many enthusiasts who have a passion for wines and spirits.

Can I study for the Level 2 Award in Wines if I haven’t completed the Level 1 Award in Wines? 

We recommend starting with WSET’s Level 1 Award in Wines. It offers you the opportunity to build the theoretical knowledge and tasting skills you’ll need to progress successfully through the higher levels. If you have a background in wine and wine tasting, it is possible to start with the Level 2 Award in Wines.

Can I study for the Level 3 Award in Wines if I haven’t completed the Level 2 Award in Wines? 

Slate Wine & Spirits Academy and the WSET strongly recommend all students complete the Level 2 Award in Wines before enrolling in the Level 3 Award in Wines course. In VERY rare instances, we allow students to start their WSET journey at Level 3. In our experience, regardless of a student’s background and competency, true success in Level 3 comes from the prerequisite experience gained in Level 2.

Online Learning Related Questions

Which courses are available online at your school? 

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines, WSET Level 2 Award in Wines , & WSET Level 3 Award in Wines

WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits & WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits

WSET Level 1 Award in Sake

What is the Online Classroom? 

The Online Classroom is WSET’s e-learning platform. The platform enhances textbook study with a broad range of educational materials and activities to suit different learner types. Videos, quizzes, games, and tasting activities will keep you engaged throughout your course, while student forums will connect you with your classmates so you can share your experiences. 

What support/guidance will I get? 

This is one of the best things about studying online—you’ll be assigned a dedicated expert educator who will guide and support you throughout the course. They’ll answer any questions you have about the materials and help you to develop your tasting skills. The Online Classroom support team will also be there to help you get the most out of the platform.

How does tasting work online? 

Tasting is an important part of all WSET courses. For online courses, you will source your own samples, but you’ll get lots of guidance on what styles to buy. Throughout the course, you’ll share your tasting notes and your educator will give you feedback and pointers to help you hone your palate. You will also be able to source these wines at a discount through Tim’s Wine Market in Orlando, FL. Please contact us for more information!

Please note: For Level 3 courses, where there is a tasting element in the exam, online students will be able to attend our in-person Level 3 tasting review session prior to their exam.

How do I sit the exam? 

For Levels 1 and 2, the examination can be completed in person or online through a Remote Invigilation service. You will be given information on how this works once you have enrolled. For Level 3, the examination will need to be sat in person and each course has a set exam date.

How long will I have access to my course? 

Full access to online materials and educator support will only be provided during the advertised course dates. However, read-only access will be provided after this time for up to one year following the advertised start date.

When will I receive my login details? 

If you are new to the Online Classroom you will receive a username and temporary password via email. Please be sure to check your junk/spam folder in case it lands there. Your login details will be issued once the course is live and visible in the Online Classroom. The Online Classroom area will be available at least two weeks before the start of your course. Existing users, including anyone that has previously completed a WSET online course, will use the same login details as before. No new details will be issued. 

I am having trouble logging in!

If you have forgotten your login information, you can reset your details using the ‘Forgotten your username or password?’ link on the login page. If you have received your login details but they don’t seem to be working, please check that you have copied your login details correctly. If you still can’t log in, please send an email to [email protected].

Exam Related Questions

I took a WSET course at another school but didn’t pass the exam. Can I retake my exam at Slate Wine & Spirits Academy? 

Absolutely! Please see the corresponding page of our policies for more details or contact us at [email protected].

I’m taking a WSET online course. Do I have to come to the school to take my exam? 

Online exams via remote invigilation are now available for all WSET Level 1 and Level 2 courses. All you need is a laptop with a webcam, a smartphone, and a reliable internet connection to utilize this option. Please contact us for dates if this sounds like the right path for you! However, in-person exams are always an option. You will need to contact us directly to schedule either type of exam.

Will I get my WSET exam results on the same day? 

As per WSET regulations, all exams must be marked by them at one of their grading centers. For WSET Levels 1 & 2 you will have your results back in about 6 weeks. For WSET Level 3 the results take approximately 10 weeks. Results are delivered ASAP by email, and the certificates and pins are mailed out a few weeks later.

I haven’t received my results. When can I expect them? 

At present, the WSET is experiencing unavoidable delays in processing exams as a result of various technical and staffing issues, as well as the ongoing challenges created by COVID-19. However, they are working tirelessly to upgrade their systems to ensure faster processing times.

How is my exam marked? Why does it take so long? 

Around the world, WSET exams run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They treat every exam paper with the utmost care to ensure that all papers are fairly marked and that the correct grade is given to each candidate. Exam marking is a controlled process involving multiple steps at every WSET qualification level. Although they understand that you want to get your exam result as quickly as possible, the WSET always prioritizes accuracy, reliability, and global quality assurance. Because of this, we can ensure that your WSET qualification is respected and valued worldwide as the international standard in wine, spirit, or sake knowledge.

I’ve lost my qualification pin and/or certificate. How can I get a replacement?

When you successfully complete any WSET qualification you should receive both a certificate and a lapel pin. If you lose your lapel pin or your certificate you can request a new one. There is a small administrative fee, but please contact us ASAP so we can assist you!

My name was misspelled on my certificate. How do I get a replacement? 

We are so sorry that your name was misspelled on your certificate. Please contact us ASAP to have this corrected. Please note that if there was an error on your original registration form, there may be a fee to replace your certificate.

What happens if I fail an exam? 

If you fail an exam, you can pay for and book a resit any time after your results are released. Please visit the corresponding page of our policies or contact us at [email protected] for more details.

Can I sit my exam at a later date? 

If you want to postpone your exam date, you can pay for and book your exam for another date. Please visit the corresponding page of our policies or contact us at [email protected] for more details.