Qualifications
Diploma in Packaging
Advanced Science & Technology for Packaging 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.
The IBD’s Diploma in Packaging is the industry benchmark for the advanced technical packager. As a Diploma candidate, you will typically be working as a senior packager, team leader or in an operational management role within your plant.
You will be taught in-depth packaging science and technology. This qualification is split into three modules, each building on the knowledge gained through the Certificate level programme.
Module 1
Module 1 will cover small pack materials, product preparation and small pack line operation.
Module 2
Module 2 will cover quality, hygiene, planning and line design, operations management and large pack operations.
Module 3
Module 3 will cover the engineering aspects of packaging. Candidates will be assessed on topics such as heat transfer, fluid dynamics, process controls and more.
Candidates who have passed Module 3 in the Diploma in Brewing, Packaging or Distilling since 2018 are exempt from sitting Module 3 in the other disciplines.
The exemption will be automatically granted and there will only be one examination fee applicable to the Module 3 Examination.
For a full breakdown of what candidates will be examined on, find the syllabus below.
Please note that the syllabus for module 1 and module 2 has been updated.
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
|
Exam Dates Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 |
5 June 2025 11 June 2025 12 June 2025 |
|
Registration Closing Date |
11 March 2025 |
|
Learning Material Online and Self-directed |
Included Candidates will receive access to the learning material within 1 working day after registration. |
|
Study Requirements |
120 Hours min per module |
|
Price General Certificate in Packaging - Beer |
£609 |
|
Recommended Support for each Module Tutor Guided Learning Programme |
£1,440 |
|
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?
Diploma in Packaging
Module 1 Syllabus
Module 1 will cover small pack materials, product preparation and small pack line operation.
Diploma in Packaging
Module 2 Syllabus
Module 2 will cover quality, hygiene, planning and line design, operations management and large pack operations.
Diploma in Packaging
Module 3 Syllabus
Module 3 will cover the engineering aspects of packaging. Candidates will be assessed on topics such as heat transfer, fluid dynamics, process controls and more.
What will I achieve?
IBD qualifications are the most widely recognised packaging qualifications in the world. The Diploma in Packaging demonstrates to your employer your advanced, applied understanding of packaging science and technology in order to control the process to produce a high-quality and consistent product.
Obtaining this qualification allows you to use the 'Dipl. Pack' post-nominal.
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.
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.