Ask the Collective

What are the industry-recognised education and qualification pathways for distilling, from apprentice through to degree level?

The UK drinks industry recognises several formal pathways for distilling education. Members recommend starting with or progressing through these options: - **Institute of Brewers and Distillers (IBD) General Certificate in Distilling (GCD)** — widely recognised industry qualification. Members who have completed both the IBD Fundamentals and Diploma highly recommend the pathway. - **Heriot-Watt University Brewing and Distilling degree** — a postgraduate option for those seeking university-level credentials (https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/brewing-distilling). Members with direct experience of the IBD qualifications (Fundamentals and Diploma) have strongly endorsed them. The collective view is that these credentials are well-regarded across the industry for employment and credibility purposes.