Certificate in Professional Wine Knowledge, Level 5

Complete WSET® Award in Wine Levels 2 & 3 in a single qualification. Develop your palate as well as your theoretical knowledge with extensive wine tasting and discussion throughout the course.

PROSPECTUS

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INTRODUCTION

New opportunities for careers in wine have recently become available, reflecting global interest and demand for fine wines.

The New Zealand School of Food & Wine is the only WSET® authorised provider in New Zealand offering a 16 week classroom based teaching programme. This intensive course offers hospitality professionals or wine enthusiasts both an NZQA Accredited Level 5 Qualification alongside the internationally recognised WSET qualifications. A part time study option is also availabe.

PURPOSE

This qualification provides the winery, retail, hospitality, hotel, and tourism sectors with individuals who are able to apply knowledge of international wine, spirits and alcoholic beverages, and their markets, to work in customer services, sales, or leadership roles. This programme forms the first semester of the Diploma in Professional Wine Knowledge (Sommelier), Level 6.

MODULES

Module 1

The business of Hospitality, Hotels, Wineries and Food and Wine Tourism

Through a series of wine and beverage tastings, you will learn how wine and food tourism experiences underpin the success of many wine regions around the world. We will also look at the market conditions required to build successful food and wine destinations that offer high-quality customer experiences through the distinctive wines they produce.

Module 2

New Zealand wine styles, regions, innovation and influential producers

This module introduces the grape varieties that have established New Zealand's reputation as a country producing distinctive, quality wines. We will look at prominent wineries and winemakers who continue to enhance brand values and the stories behind their international success.
Module includes: Certificate in New Zealand Wine Micro-Credential

Module 3

Customer service, sales, bartending and sommelier skills

The key to enhancing the customer experience is to develop communication skills that demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of wine, spirits, cocktails and other beverages as well as confidence in customer service. This module looks at the practical skills required to advise, sell and serve wine and other beverages. It includes a food and wine pairing workshop and participation in organizing and running a wine tasting event.

Module 4

International wine styles, grape varieties, wine production and regions

Around the world, styles of wine are influenced by the climate and conditions of regions and the grape varieties that are grown. Through a series of tastings, this module explores important international grape varieties that dominate European and New World wine regions. We look at viticulture and the wine-making process for white, red, sparkling wine and sweet wines.
Module includes: WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and WSET Level 3 Award in Wines.

Module 5

Spirits, liqueurs, fortified wines, cocktails & bartending

In this module, we will taste and evaluate principal spirits and liqueurs styles and develop an understanding of the major international brands. Included are practical sessions that explain how to set up a bar for service and make classic and premium cocktails.
Module includes: WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits

Optional: French Wine Scholar

Students wishing to complete the French Wine Scholar qualification may signup for this exam for an additional fee of NZ$750.

This programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under section 439 of the Education and Training Act 2020, and New Zealand School of Food and Wine Limited is accredited to provide it under section 441 of the Education and Training Act.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates will be able to work as a wine and spirit professional in all fields of the hospitality, service and wine industries. This may be in your own business, or in wine retail outlets, wineries, wine companies, resorts, lodges, cruise liners, luxury yachts, restaurants or cafés - there are many opportunities to explore once you graduate.

To ensure you receive all of the training required to operate within the hospitality industry you will also receive your Food Safety and Licence Controller qualifications.

PATHWAYS TO FURTHER STUDY

Graduates can go on to study:

Page Updated: 18 Oct 2023

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Course Fees

FULL TIME STUDY OPTION:

Course Fees: NZ$4,075
WSET Fees & Texts: NZ$850
Total Fee: NZ$4,925

PART TIME STUDY OPTION:

Course Fees: NZ$3,100*
WSET Fees & Tests: NZ$850
Total Fee: NZ$3,950*
- Includes Part time discount of NZ$750.

COURSE FEE CREDIT FOR PRIOR WINE STUDY

Students who have already completed certain Wine qualifications may receive a credit on their course fees, provided the following conditions are met:

The qualification is one of the following:
- Certificate in New Zealand Wine Micro-Credential;
- Certificate in New Zealand Wine Advanced Micro-Credential;
- WSET Level 2 Award in Wines;
- WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits; or
- WSET Level 3 Award in Wines.
The credit is available for courses completed at NZSFW or with other providers. The value of courses completed at other providers will be set at the NZSFW Part Time course fee for the equivalent course, which can be found on our short course pages.
The maximum credit available is NZ$2,500.

Where a credit is recognised for a specific qualification, the student will not attend the scheduled classes pertaining to that qualification for a second time.

*New Zealand students receive a subsidy from the New Zealand Government.
New Zealand students may be eligible for student loans and allowances for full time study. Free fees are available for eligible students for full time study.

Course Fees

FULL TIME STUDY OPTION:

Course Fees: NZ$10,850
WSET Fees & Texts: NZ$850
Total Fee: NZ$11,700
- No Discount for Part time Study Option

COURSE FEE CREDIT FOR PRIOR WINE STUDY

Students who have already completed certain Wine qualifications may receive a credit on their course fees, provided the following conditions are met:

The qualification is one of the following:
- Certificate in New Zealand Wine Micro-Credential;
- Certificate in New Zealand Wine Advanced Micro-Credential;
- WSET Level 2 Award in Wines;
- WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits; or
- WSET Level 3 Award in Wines.
The credit is available for courses completed at NZSFW or with other providers. The value of courses completed at other providers will be set at the NZSFW Part Time course fee for the equivalent course, which can be found on our short course pages.
The maximum credit available is NZ$2,500.

Where a credit is recognised for a specific qualification, the student will not attend the scheduled classes pertaining to that qualification for a second time.

Course Requirements

Aged 18 or over
Completed prior study in:
- NCEA Level 3 or equivalent; or
- Completed diploma or degree at University or at another tertiary provider in New Zealand or overseas; or
- New Zealand Certificate in Food & Beverage, (Level 4); or New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality Management (Advanced, Level 5); or
- Certificate in Cookery, Advanced Level 4
Attend an interview in person or via telephone
Access to a laptop with a minimum of 5 hours battery life and broadband

Recognition of Prior Learning

The Recognition of Prior Learning Enrolment Pathway (RPL) allows prospective students to use relevant industry work experience.

Find out more

Course Requirements

Aged 18 or over
Completed prior study in:
- NCEA Level 3 or equivalent; or
- Completed diploma or degree at University or at another tertiary provider in New Zealand or overseas; or
- New Zealand Certificate in Food & Beverage, (Level 4); or New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality Management (Advanced, Level 5); or
- Certificate in Cookery, Advanced Level 4
Attend an interview in person or via telephone
Upper-intermediate level of English: IELTS 6.0 or equivalent for international students.
Access to a laptop with a minimum of 5 hours battery life and broadband
Valid student visa for international students.

* English language pathways available.