The International Wine Challenge (IWC) in partnership with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is offering a bursary to financially disadvantaged students who wish to advance their wine education. The IWC Education Bursary encourages diversity and inclusion within the global wine industry by supporting WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines studies. Students who live outside the United Kingdom can apply for help with their course fees and gain access to networking and judging opportunities, ensuring that wine knowledge is shared across continents.
The Bursary Sponsor
The International Wine Challenge (IWC) is a prestigious global wine competition based in London that attracts wines from around the world. In collaboration with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), a leading global provider of wine, spirits and sake qualifications, the IWC created this bursary program to help promising students who cannot fund their own studies. The IWC uses its global network and resources to expand access to wine education and to nurture future wine professionals.
What Is This Bursary Program?
- Financial support: The IWC contributes up to £500 toward course fees for students enrolling in the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and up to £1 000 toward fees for the WSET Level 4 Diploma. These contributions cover tuition charged by WSET Approved Programme Providers and are paid directly to the provider.
- Associate Judge opportunity: The Diploma student with the highest final exam score each year may be invited to travel to London and act as an Associate Judge at the International Wine Challenge. The IWC pays for travel and accommodation.
- Global reach: This bursary is available only to students living outside the UK; applications are particularly encouraged from Africa and South/Central America.
Who Can Apply
- Financial need: Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship and be unable to fund their own WSET studies. Candidates with employer sponsorship or other funding will not be considered.
- Residency: You must be ordinarily resident outside the United Kingdom (particularly Africa, South America or Central America).
- Prerequisite qualification:
- To apply for the Level 3 bursary, you must already hold the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines.
- To apply for the Diploma bursary, you must already hold the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines.
- Course availability: Applicants need to identify a suitable WSET Approved Programme Provider offering the desired course and be ready to enrol once the bursary is awarded.
- No other funding: The bursary is meant for those without other means of financial support.
Closing Date
The IWC accepts applications from June to February. Applications cannot be processed during the busy competition period (March–May). To be considered for the 2026 academic year, submit your completed application no later than 28 February 2026.
How to Apply
Before applying, identify a WSET Approved Programme Provider that offers the Level 3 Award in Wines or Level 4 Diploma and confirm course fees. Then complete and submit the following:
- Download and complete the IWC Education Bursary Application Form.
- Prepare supporting documents:
- Curriculum vitae (resume) detailing your career to date
- Proof of earnings for the past 12 months.
- A motivation letter (max one A4 page) explaining how the bursary and completing the relevant WSET qualification will benefit your career. Include details about any employer support you might have and why this funding is critical
- Email your completed application form and documents to bursary@internationalwinechallenge.com between June and February. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application Link
Click the button below to download the official IWC Education Bursary Application Form