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UK rises 11% as WSET sees global take-up of courses increase for 13th year in a row

Published:  13 August, 2015

The number of people taking Wine & Spirit Education Trust courses has hit record levels for the 13th consecutive year.

The total number of candidates for the 2014/15 academic year increased 9% to 61,452 and the UK figure was up 11%, accounting for just under a quarter of the total.

The US overtook China as the second largest WSET market, with candidate numbers up 26% to 6,779.

But China was still in growth, up 13% to just under 6,600 candidates.

France was up 23% and there was also double digit growth from Canada and Australia.

The number of countries offering WSET qualifications has grown to 66, with Lebanon, Belarus Paraguay, Ukraine and Ecuador added during the year.

WSET chief executive Ian Harris said: "The numbers are testament to the quality and relevance of WSET courses and qualifications.

"Our business grows because individuals - as well as the global industry - recognise WSET as the benchmark for wine and spirit knowledge and seek out our programmes.

"It is especially pleasing to see sustained growth in established markets, alongside rapid growth in some of our emerging markets."

The WSET won a Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade this year.

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