Brewing and Distilling (online)

Entry requirements

For MSc level entry applicants must have:

Minimum of 2:2 honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in cognate and semi-cognate subject area.

Corporate (or chartered) membership of relevant professional institutions will also be considered.

For PG Diploma level entry applicants must have:

Third class honours degree in a cognate or semi-cognate subject area PLUS 2 years of relevant experience at an appropriate level completed post qualification.

Cognate or semi-cognate ordinary degree PLUS 3-4 years of relevant experience at an appropriate level following graduation.

Candidates who do not meet the above entry requirements or have no formal academic qualifications will be considered individually based on their CV and interview. Admission via this route will be at the discretion of the Director of Admissions and the number of successful applicants will be restricted.

There is no entry at PG Certificate level except through exceptional agreement with approved learning partners.

Non-graduating study at masters level:

Entry is based on CV or on formal academic qualifications or graduate (or incorporated) membership of a relevant professional institution.

Recognition of Prior Learning

We are committed to providing study opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). For more information on RPL, please contact the Online Admissions Team (egis-idl-apps@hw.ac.uk) ahead of application. We can only consider requests for RPL at the time of application to a course of study.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

The degree prepares candidates for entry into the malting, brewing or distilling industries, or to conduct research. It covers a broad range of subjects, from brewing science and chemical engineering, to business studies and production management.

The quickly developing craft industry, both in brewing and distilling, requires graduates with knowledge of modern instrumentation and this degree will ensure you build the skills and know-how required to perform successfully in the industry.

The distance learning degree can be started at any time of year but runs on a six month learning cycle with materials issued in January and July. Two assignments are due at the end of April and October and final examinations take place during the first week of June and December. One course, Project and Practical Studies, involves attendance at a two-week summer school held every two years in Edinburgh.

Examinations are arranged within a local University or British Consulate.

All students are initially registered for the PG Diploma but may exit with:

• A course completion certificate - on completion of 1, 2 or 3 courses.
• PG Certificate - on completion of 4 courses.
• PG Diploma - on completion of 8 courses.
• MSc - on completion of 8 courses with an average of 50% or more and the research project course.

Accreditation

The Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers (CIBD) offers MSc graduates the opportunity for exemption from the Diploma in Brewing or the Diploma in Distilling should they, later in their career, wish to undertake the CIBD Master Brewer or Master Distiller qualifications. Students from the programme can join the CIBD at a reduced student rate and can access the continuing professional development and networking organised by the CIBD.

Information for international students

If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to confirm your ability to meet the English Language Requirements for this programme.

A minimum of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent is required, with all elements passed at 5.5 or above. If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English Language Courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.

Fees and funding

Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries

We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Each year, hundreds of students enhance their educational experience through a variety of Heriot-Watt and externally funded scholarships, including opportunities funded by the University's generous alumni community, based all over the world.

View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.