FEES
The study programme fees cover tuition only. You need to take into account additional expenses you will incur on each stage of the study programme from travel to accommodation and more. The below table is an example of fees at each stage of the programme.
Taxes such as VAT or GST is payable based on the place of supply of services/product and not on where you live. Where UK VAT does not apply you may be liable to pay the VAT of the country where the services/product takes place.
Fees marked * are for information only. These are the 25/26 programme year assessment and exam fees and are subject to change. Final fees will be published in April 2027.
| Study Programme Fees | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Without tax (if EU VAT number provided) | With tax (UK VAT at 20%) | |||
| Application fee (non-refundable) | GBP 270 | GBP 324 | ||
| Europe & UK (£) | North America (£) | Australasia (£) | ||
| Without tax (if EU VAT number provided) | With tax (UK VAT at 20%) | Tax not applicable | With tax (GST at 10%) | |
| Stage one fee / Stage two fee | GBP 4,635 | GBP 5,562 | GBP 4,635 | GBP 5,099 |
| Stage two theory only (TO) fee | GBP 2,780 | GBP 3,336 | N/A | N/A |
| Stage two practical only (PO) fee | GBP 4,635 | GBP 5,562 | GBP 4,635 | N/A |
| 2026 stage 1 assessment entry fee * | GBP 750 | GBP 900 | GBP 750 | GBP 825 |
| 2026 stage two exam entry fee * | GBP 2,575 | GBP 3,090 | GBP 2,575 | GBP 2,833 |
| 2026 stage two PO exam entry fee * | GBP 2,370 | GBP 2,844 | GBP 2,370 | GBP 2,607 |
| 2026 stage two TO exam entry fee * | GBP 1,390 | GBP 1,668 | GBP 1,390 | GBP 1,529 |
| Deferral fee | GBP 380 | GBP 456 | ||
| Deferral fee (special consideration) | GBP 200 | GBP 240 | ||
| Without tax (if EU VAT number provided) | With tax (UK VAT at 20%) | |||
| Research paper registration fee | GBP 750 | GBP 900 | ||
| Research paper submission fee | GBP 750 | GBP 900 | ||
| Referred research paper submission fee | GBP 370 | GBP 444 | ||
Upon becoming a Master of Wine, an annual Institute of Masters of Wine membership fee becomes payable.
SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES
As an MW student, you are given the chance to apply for scholarships and bursaries from IMW supporters and friends in the trade, many of which include a financial or travel element. See below for some recent examples of opportunities that could help with your study programme journey.
Barca-Velha Golden Vines MW scholarship
Awarded by the Gérard Basset Foundation, the world’s leading charitable foundation dedicated to using the wine, spirits and hospitality industries as a vehicle for change, the Barca-Velha Golden Vines® MW Scholarships provides selected students with £20,000 towards MW-related costs, £15,000 for internships and educational travel, a bespoke SOGRAPE Portugal experience, visiting vineyards and wineries across the Douro and beyond and their choice of mentor from the judging panel. Winners are also welcomed into the GBF alumni community and introduced at the Golden Vines Awards.
Commanderie de Bordeaux travel scholarship
The Commanderie de Bordeaux travel scholarship forms part of a longstanding relationship between the Commanderie de Bordeaux USA and the Institute of Masters of Wine. Winners receive USD $5,000 to cover a trip to Bordeaux, including airfare, hotel and transportation costs. Award recipients travel together on a single trip arranged by and coordinated with the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux.
Constellation Brands scholarship
One of the longest running scholarships available to North America-based MW students, the Constellation Brands scholarship provides stage one students with USD $1,000 to help with their studies, and awards stage two students with USD $2,000 to help with their exam preparation.
FICOFI scholarship for Asia-based students
The FICOFI Asia scholarship has been set up to support new MW candidates and stage two students based in Asia. FICOFI scholars receive funding towards her studies worth £5,000 GBP, valuable access to FICOFI’s knowledge and resources, and support from its world-leading network of wine experts.
Merendino Foundation scholarship
Each year, with the support of an endowment from the Merendino Foundation, the Masters of Wine Endowment Company is able to provide up to five scholarships of between US$1,000 and US$5,000 for students from the USA or Canada. Selected by the IMW these scholarships will be awarded to students who have excelled in, but not yet passed, stage two.
Vinitaly International Academy scholarship
Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) provides Master of Wine student scholarships to attend the prestigious Italian Wine Ambassador certification course. This high-level certification equips wine professionals with essential knowledge on Italian wine, its rich history and global influence.
Click below to view and apply for scholarships currently accepting applications.
You will need to be an MW student and logged in to do so.
INTERESTED IN STUDYING?
The IMW runs a series of introductory courses and information sessions around the world, for anyone interested in applying to the MW study programme. You can view the details of upcoming sessions on the events page here. In the meantime, for anyone interested in joining the programme, you can watch this webinar, recorded on 27 April 2023 which explains the MW approach to the exam syllabus, with a special focus on the writing and tasting skills required to become a Master of Wine. If you would like to apply, you will find everything you need to know here.