PATH

One clear pathway

Most tracks run Foundation → Intermediate → Professional, so you can start anywhere and progress at your own pace.

Foundation - start here, no experience neededIntermediate - build the technical layerProfessional - manager & head-of-bar level

SCA

Browse by track

Nine SCA-certified tracks across the whole coffee chain. Pick a track to see every level, or view the full catalogue.

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SCA CERTIFIED · FOUNDATION → PROFESSIONAL

INTRO1 level

Introduction to Coffee

The best first step. A broad look at the specialty industry, farm to cup, with simple tasting exercises along the way.

Good for: NEWCOMERS

BAR3 levels

Barista Skills

Espresso, milk texture and bar workflow - from your first tamp to running a bar to SCA standard.

Good for: BAR + HOME

BRW3 levels

Brewing

Manual and automatic methods, the essential brewing elements, and the science of a balanced cup.

Good for: HOME + BAR

SEN3 levels

Sensory Skills

Taste like a professional. How perception works, a shared language for flavour, and cupping to industry protocol.

Good for: QC + ROASTERS

GRN3 levels

Green Coffee

Botany and terroir, post-harvest processing, grading, logistics and global trade.

Good for: BUYERS + QC

RST3 levels

Roasting

From first charge to running the roastery. Roast curves, machinery, heat transfer, flavour development and production management.

Good for: ROASTERS

Q1 level

Q Grader Programme

The benchmark qualification in coffee evaluation. Become a licensed Q Grader through the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) system.

Good for: ADVANCED PROS

SUS4 levels

Coffee Sustainability

The environmental, economic and social realities of the trade. A Foundation, then three focused professional programmes.

Good for: SOURCING + LEADS

CTECH1 level

Coffee Technicians

Keep the kit running. Water filtration and preventive maintenance for the machines a café and roastery depend on.

Good for: TECHS + MANAGERS

COMM

Workshops & Coffee X Community

Home barista workshops, public cuppings and Coffee X - our extra-curricular events. No certificate required.

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WORKSHOPS FROM £40

Find your pathway

Tell us where you are - total beginner, working barista, or aiming for Q - and we’ll map the right pathway through the school.

See upcoming dates Meet your trainers

NORTHERN COFFEE SCHOOL · AT HEART & GRAFT COFFEE ROASTERY · MANCHESTER
SCA AUTHORISED TRAINING · CERTIFICATION ON SUCCESSFUL ASSESSMENT

the craft of coffee,
taught with heart

SCA Certified Courses

Wholesale & Team Training

Home Barista & Coffee X Community