International Wine Center Marks 25th Year of Offering WSET Courses with Enhancement of Student Experience and Additional Learning Opportunities.
International Wine Center (IWC) is thrilled to announce the completion of several long-term initiatives designed to offer incremental learning opportunities and improve the overall student experience.
Curriculum changes include the launch of a new format WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines, a dedicated track Spirits certification, and Sake course.
LEVEL 4 DIPLOMA UPDATES
Key changes in the new format Diploma – the most advanced level of study at IWC – include additional scope and class time for the “Wines of the World” unit along with an in-depth research assignment that measures each student’s ability to conduct independent investigation on a given topic beyond the core syllabus. A new exam method has also been incorporated within Level 4 across units 1 (Wine Production) and 2 (Wine Business); these exams are now closed book with an open response. Spirits education has also been completely removed from the Diploma syllabus.
“These curriculum changes at IWC are further buoyed by a new teaching approach,” explains IWC President Mary Ewing-Mulligan, MW. “Class time is more focused on building critical thinking and evaluation skills in a more interactive format. This is especially important to prepare students for success in the wine world.”
With the revamped Diploma format, students also have access to a new dedicated support team to help them prepare for exams and navigate their way through each unit to successful completion.
NEW SPIRITS & SAKE CERTIFICATIONS
Students at IWC may now pursue spirits certification as a separate and dedicated track rather than sharing coursework within the two focus areas. Level 1 and Level 2 Spirits are now available alongside IWC’s new Level 1 Sake course, which launched at the end of August. The new spirits and sake courses are designed to provide a thorough knowledge of sake, spirits and liqueurs. They are ideal for both enthusiasts or those working in the spirits field or the hospitality sector.
NEW ONLINE PRESENCE
Additional information on the new courses may be found on our updated website. Our new site allows students to now register online for courses. Detailed information about the school, our leadership team and instructors; WSET wine, spirit and sake course descriptions; schedules, school news, and job postings may be found on the site. Visitors may also sign up to receive the IWC newsletter to learn about all the happenings at IWC.
NEW FACES
The new curriculum and expanded offerings coincide with an update to the IWC management team and staff roster including the recent addition of Mary Gorman-McAdams MW, who joined IWC this past spring as the new Director. New instructors have also joined the IWC ranks. Click here to get to know all the IWC instructors.