WSET Level 2 in Sake: Completely online! (Jan. 4–Jan. 31, 2027)

*Deadline to register is  Dec, 23, 2026 at 12pm (noon) Central Time

This course is intended for anyone wishing to learn about the different styles of sake and how they are made, as well as those seeking to build on the introductory knowledge gained with the WSET Level 1 Award in Sake.

What You'll Learn:

The WSET Level 2 Award in Sake focuses on how the ingredients used by brewers are processed and combined to create the many different styles of sake. It will also teach you how to describe and assess the quality of the sakes you taste.

If you are a sake or hospitality professional, you’ll be able to offer valuable guidance on selection and service to your colleagues and customers. If you are a sake enthusiast, you’ll know exactly what to look for when choosing sakes for any occasion.

What’s covered:

• How to describe and assess the quality of sake using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Sake ® (SAT)

• The ingredients used to make sake:

  • This includes the ingredients that brewers are required to use and the ones they can choose. We also cover the varieties of rice that are used to make sake.

  • Processing the raw materials:

    • We cover how steamed white rice and kōji (a type of fungus used for fermentation) are made and how different styles of sake require rice with different polishing ratios and different styles of kōji.

  • How sake is made:

    • We explore all of the main techniques that are used from fermentation starter to dilution and packaging and how different choices are made when making the different styles of sake.

  • Common labelling terms, including how some of the most important ones are written in Japanese.

Course Delivery:

This qualification has a minimum requirement of 26 hours of study time.

This includes:

• 14 hours of guided learning with a WSET course provider

• 11 hours of private study

• A one-hour exam

Assessment:

Your learning will be assessed by a closed-book exam of 50 multiple-choice questions, to be completed in 60 minutes.

This qualification is graded:

• Pass: 55% - 69%

• Pass with Merit: 70% - 84%

• Pass with Distinction: 85% or more