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.
Fees marked with a * do not include accommodation during the residential seminar. 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.
| 2023 – 24 Study Programme Fees | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Without tax (if EU VAT number provided) | With tax (UK VAT at 20%) | |||
| Application fee (non-refundable) | GBP 230 | GBP 276 | ||
| 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 4,550 | GBP 5,460 | GBP 3,940* | GBP 4,334* |
| Stage two theory only (TO) fee | GBP 2,860 | GBP 3,432 | N/A | N/A |
| Stage two practical only (PO) fee | GBP 4,550 | GBP 5,460 | GBP 3,940* | GBP 4,334* |
| 2023 stage two exam entry fee | GBP 1,990 | GBP 2,388 | GBP 1,900 | GBP 2,189 |
| 2023 stage two PO exam entry fee | GBP 1,800 | GBP 2,160 | GBP 1,800 | GBP 1,980 |
| 2023 stage two TO exam entry fee | GBP 1,060 | GBP 1,272 | GBP 1060 | GBP 1,166 |
| Deferral fee | GBP 350 | GBP 420 | ||
| Without tax (if EU VAT number provided) | With tax (UK VAT at 20%) | |||
| Research paper registration fee | GBP 710 | GBP 852 | ||
| Research paper submission fee | GBP 710 | GBP 852 | ||
| Referred research paper submission fee | GBP 350 | GBP 420 | ||
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 opportunities that could help with your study programme journey.
Catena Institute scholarship
In March 2023 the IMW was delighted to welcome the Catena Institute as a new research and industry associate. It is a pleasure to announce that the Catena Institute will offer scholarships to support students from Latin America in their journey on the MW study programme.
Every two years, two students from Latin America (Central and South America) will have the opportunity to apply for one of two scholarships. These scholarships will provide the student with US $2000 annually, for up to two years. To apply for the scholarship, applicants will be asked to write a paper on a topic relevant to the Catena Institute, such as genetic diversity of vines, high altitude viticulture or terroir in a South American location.
Applications to this scholarship will open in September 2023, and winners will be chosen by the Institute of Masters of Wine, in partnership with the Catena Institute.
Commanderie de Bordeaux travel scholarship
This year, two MW study programme students were awarded the 2022 Commanderie de Bordeaux Andre Crispin Travel Scholar Awards scholarship. The prize funds travel to Bordeaux, France, coordinated with the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux. Each will receive a stipend of US $5000 to cover airfare, hotel, and transportation expenses. This year’s winners were Jane Dunkley and Samantha Cole-Johnson.
Feudi di San Gregorio scholarship
For over 30 years, Feudi di San Gregorio winery has focused on the indigenous grape varieties Greco, Fiano, Falanghina and Aglianico from the Campania region. The 2023 inaugural Feudi di San Gregorio scholarship was awarded to two stage two students, Amanda Barnes and Philipp Pfunder, who received £1,500 each to be used toward their MW studies.
Golden Vines® Diversity Scholarships
The 2021 Golden Vines® Diversity Scholarships were awarded to MW students Dr Erna Blancquaert and Angela Elizabeth Scott. Forty-two aspiring Black and ethnic minority students from 23 countries wishing to undertake the Masters of Wine (MW) and Master Sommelier (MS) programmes applied for the two scholarships covering course and exam costs, as well as loss of earnings during their work placement internships organised by Liquid Icons with some of the world’s top wine domaines.
IWSC Foundation scholarships
IMW supporter IWSC Foundation is a non-profit organisation and the charitable arm of the IWSC. In 2022, IWSC Foundation offered awards of £5,000 each to five stage one and five stage two MW study programme students, in order to help them attain their goals. The awards are given on a case-by-case basis, with each application carefully considered. The awards went to stage one students Ana Gallegos, Xinhao Hu, Arpine Manukyan, Agnese Meiersone and Karene Vilela, and stage two students Amanda Barnes, Marina Olwen Fogarty, Evmorfia Kostaki, Dimitris Motsos and Andrew Shelly.
Jackson Family Wines scholarship
IMW major supporter Jackson Family Wines is currently offering an MW scholarship to Canada-based students sitting for the stage two exam in 2022. Three scholarships of $2,000 each will be awarded. Jackson Family Wines is a family-owned and operated company based out of Sonoma, California. They value community involvement, environmental stewardship and sustainability, while focusing on crafting artisanal wines.
Lallemand bursary
IMW supporter Lallemand – a leading producer of wine yeast, bacteria and their nutrients, and a distributor of oenological enzymes – established the bursary in 2010. In its 2021 bursary, stage two student Emily Brighton was announced as the winner of the first prize and received £1,500 towards the cost of her MW student journey, and stage one student Lenka Davis was awarded the second prize and received £500. Lallemand felt that adding a second prize would be beneficial in these difficult times.
SommFoundation scholarship
The mission of SommFoundation (The Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation) is to assist wine and spirits professionals to achieve the highest level of proficiency and accreditation in the food and beverage industry. SommFoundation provides enrichment opportunities and scholarships to sommeliers, restaurant professionals, wine journalists, and winemakers to elevate the level of competency in the understanding of the world of wine and spirits. Stage two MW student Ivonne Nill was selected for the 2021 scholarship. Ivonne received $3,000 to assist with the cost of her studies.
Wine Scholar Guild scholarship
Wine Scholar Guild (WSG) is the leading provider of specialised certification programmes on the wines of France, Italy and Spain. Its study and certification programmes offer wine industry members and committed students of wine the opportunity to specialise in the wine country of their choice. The 2023 scholarships were awarded to Alice Archer, Valeria Tenison and Claudia Chamberlain.
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.