Qualifications
Diploma in Distilling
Advanced Science & Technology for Distilling Professionals
As we transition to becoming the Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers (CIBD) on 1st January 2025 with a new website, you will not be able to book any qualifications or short courses between 1st January and 5th January 2025. If you have already booked a qualification or a short course with us, you will continue to have access to the learning material on Moodle
If you are making a corporate booking, our corporate booking system will stay active during this time. Please email Corporatebookings@ibd.org.uk if you want to make an enquiry or a booking for your team.
Overview
Attaining the IBD Diploma gives you an internationally recognised and comprehensive understanding of distilling science and its application. This qualification is suited for a distillery manager in a larger distillery or head distiller of a smaller, independent distillery.
You will be taught in-depth distilling science, covering all aspects of the production process. This qualification is split into three modules, each building on the knowledge gained through the Certificate level programme.
Pre-requisites
No prior educational qualifications are required for applicants to sit the Diploma Examinations.
However, the IBD Board of Examiners recommends that candidates should have successfully completed the relevant IBD General Certificate Examination and/or have studied Chemistry, Biology, and mathematics ideally to a minimum of A-level or equivalent* in advance of registering for the Diploma.
*Equivalents include (but are not limited to) International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, USA AP’s, Australian ATAR.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
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Exam Dates Module 1 |
4 June 2025 |
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Module 2 |
11 June 2025 |
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Module 3 |
12 June 2025 |
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Registration Closing Date |
11 March 2025 |
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Price Per module |
£609 |
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Learning Material Online and self-directed |
Included Candidates will receive access to the learning material within 1 working day after registration. |
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Study Requirements |
120 Hours min per module |
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Recommended Support for each Module Tutor Guided Learning Programme |
£1,440 |
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Membership Offer Take advantage of our bundled membership offer |
From £48 |
Financial Support
The IBD has a number of bursaries and scholarships to support those candidates from less advantaged backgrounds who wish to progress in their careers by taking our qualifications. What Financial Support Can I Get?
Module 1
This module goes into great detail about the biochemistry of raw ingredients, their processing and how their special properties enable the wash production process through fermentation with yeast and bacteria.
Module 2
In Module 2 you will study the production of spirits via continuous or batch distillation through column and pot stills.
Module 3
In Module 3 you will be taught about the engineering aspect of distilling, gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of heat transfer, fluid dynamics and the gas laws in distilling.
What will I achieve?
You will be taught in depth distillation science, covering all aspects of the production and maturation process. This qualification is split into three modules, each of which builds on the knowledge gained through the Certificate level programme.
The IBD’s Diploma in Distilling is the industry benchmark for the advanced technical distiller. As a Diploma candidate, you will typically be working as a senior distiller, team leader or in an operational management role within your distillery.
IBD qualifications are the most widely recognised distilling qualification in the world. The Diploma in Distilling demonstrates to your employer your advanced, applied understanding of distillation science in order to control the process to produce a high quality and consistent product.
How will I be supported?
This qualification is supported by self-directed, online learning material which also includes technical illustrations, animations, videos and further reading links to help reinforce your learning. You will also have the opportunity to answer detailed technical questions throughout the course which will test your understanding and direct further study.
Tutor Guided Learning
As an optional extra, Tutor Guided Learning is available for Diploma level courses. These live online sessions run over 18 weeks from January to May, and cover the entire syllabus to ensure candidates fully understand the learning material and are well prepared for their professional exams. In addition to the live contact session each week, there is an active internet forum with the tutors. Classes are organised to suit different time zones and a maximum of 20 candidates work with their tutor.
What financial support can I get?
The IBD has reinforced its bursaries and scholarships with the aim to support those candidates from less advantaged backgrounds willing to progress in their careers by taking our qualifications.
The application deadline is 30th of September for examination in the following year.
Find out more about them and discover if you are eligible for any of them.
What's next?
For those that have achieved the Diploma level qualification, the journey to Master Distiller is the next stage in your professional certification programme. The IBD’s Master Distiller qualification is the industry's highest level of recognition for those performing in senior roles within the industry.
To achieve this qualification takes many years of study and experience, but is backed up and supported by IBD mentors, tutoring programmes and our network of global experts. Becoming a Master Distiller is not quick or easy, but the journey is rewarding and there are many opportunities for those that achieve it.
Why choose the IBD?
The IBD provides the most widely recognised professional beverage qualifications in the world. We’ve been around since 1886 and have built a reputation for trust in the industry due to the quality of our learning material, support for learners and rigour of our exams.
Since we began professional qualifications in the 1950s, we have qualified over 100,000 brewers and distillers across the globe.