7 Best Coffee Roasting Courses in the UK for 2025
The journey from a humble green bean to a perfectly balanced cup of coffee is a captivating blend of art and science. For aspiring roasters and passionate coffee enthusiasts in the UK, mastering this craft is the key to unlocking extraordinary flavour profiles and building a successful career in the booming speciality coffee market. But where do you begin? Navigating the world of coffee roasting courses can feel overwhelming, with options ranging from intensive one-day workshops to comprehensive, career-defining certifications.
This guide demystifies the options, providing a curated roundup of the UK's finest training opportunities to help you find the perfect fit for your goals. We have organised a definitive list of the best courses available, whether you are a home enthusiast eager to roast your own beans or a café owner looking to elevate your offering. Each entry details the curriculum, duration, and ideal candidate, complete with direct links and screenshots to streamline your decision-making process. From immersive, hands-on masterclasses to globally recognised certification pathways, we present actionable insights to help you find the perfect course to ignite your passion, refine your skills, and take your first or next step into the world of speciality coffee roasting.
1. Roasting Experience Day Masterclass – Ue Coffee Roasters
For those seeking to truly understand the alchemy of coffee roasting, the Roasting Experience Day Masterclass from Ue Coffee Roasters offers an unparalleled, hands-on immersion. This isn't a passive lecture; it’s an invitation to step behind the curtain at their renowned Oxfordshire roastery and engage directly with the craft. Positioned as one of the UK’s longest-standing speciality coffee roasters, Ue provides a level of expertise and heritage that is hard to match, making this a standout choice for anyone serious about elevating their coffee knowledge from enthusiast to practitioner.
The masterclass is structured to give you a complete sensory journey. It moves beyond theoretical coffee roasting courses by placing you at the heart of the action. You will not only learn the principles of roast profiling but will actively create and roast your very own custom coffee blend under the watchful eye of seasoned professionals. This practical application is where the learning truly cements itself.
Key Experience Highlights
- Personalised Roasting Session: The core of the day is the hands-on roasting. Participants get to develop a unique blend and take control of the roaster to bring it to life, gaining a practical understanding of how time and temperature transform green beans.
- Professional Cupping Protocol: To complement the roasting, the course includes a formal coffee cupping. This sensory training is crucial for developing your palate, helping you identify and articulate the subtle notes of flavour and aroma that define speciality coffee.
- A Tangible Takeaway: The experience concludes with you taking home 250g of the coffee you personally roasted. This provides a lasting, tangible connection to the skills you’ve learned, allowing you to brew and share your own creation.
Who Is It Best For?
This masterclass is perfectly suited for the aspiring home roaster or the dedicated coffee aficionado in the UK who wants to deepen their appreciation for the craft. If you're looking to understand why your favourite coffees taste the way they do and want to experience the process firsthand, this is an ideal fit. It's less about broad barista skills and more about a focused, deep dive into the art and science of roasting itself.
| Feature Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | Full-day immersive experience |
| Location | Ue Coffee Roasters, Witney, Oxfordshire |
| Key Outcome | Practical roasting skills, refined sensory analysis, and a custom-roasted bag of coffee. |
| Cost | Varies; check the website for current pricing. |
Practical Tip: Due to the hands-on nature and limited group sizes, these masterclasses book up quickly. It's advisable to check the Ue Coffee Roasters website well in advance and secure your spot, especially if you have a specific date in mind.
Visit Ue Coffee Roasters to book your masterclass
2. London School of Coffee
For those ready to transform a passion for coffee into a professional venture, the London School of Coffee (LSC) offers a direct and reputable path. As a Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Premier Training Campus, LSC provides a structured, hands-on environment perfect for aspiring roastery owners and career-focused roasters in the UK. This isn’t just about learning the theory; it’s about getting your hands on commercial-grade equipment and mastering the craft under the guidance of industry veterans.
The school’s curriculum is meticulously organised, offering a clear progression from foundational skills to advanced professional competencies. What truly sets it apart is its holistic approach, particularly the intensive ‘How to Start a Roastery’ course, which brilliantly merges the art of roasting with the science of business planning for the UK market.
What Makes It Stand Out
The LSC experience is defined by its deep industry integration and professional focus. You’re not just attending a class; you’re stepping into the heart of the UK’s speciality coffee scene.
- SCA Certification Pathway: Courses are directly aligned with the SCA curriculum, providing a clear route to achieving globally recognised Roasting certifications (Foundation, Intermediate, and Professional).
- Expert Instructors: Learn from Authorised SCA Trainers and established professionals, ensuring your training is current, relevant, and respected.
- Business-Centric Training: The unique roastery start-up course covers crucial business elements like sourcing green coffee, financial planning, and marketing, providing a complete blueprint for launching your own brand.
Key Details & Pricing
Courses are premium and intensive, reflecting the quality of instruction and access to top-tier equipment.
| Course Type | Focus | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCA Roasting Courses | Technical skills & certification | £960 - £1,440 | Professionals seeking formal qualifications. |
| How to Start a Roastery | Business planning & practical roasting | £1,440 | Entrepreneurs and aspiring roastery owners. |
| Roasting Taster | Introductory session | £240 | Enthusiasts exploring roasting as a career. |
Due to small class sizes and high demand, courses book up quickly. It’s wise to check their website and plan your attendance several months in advance. While the investment is significant, the access to industry experts and the focused, business-oriented curriculum provides an unparalleled launchpad for a successful career in coffee roasting in the UK.
Website: https://londonschoolofcoffee.com/
3. Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Education – Course Finder
For anyone serious about building a professional career in coffee, the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is the global gold standard. Their Education Course Finder isn't a single school but rather the central hub for discovering accredited coffee roasting courses across the UK. It’s the definitive starting point for earning industry-recognised qualifications, providing a structured, standardised curriculum that ensures quality and consistency, no matter which authorised UK campus you choose.
This platform demystifies the search for credible training by connecting you directly with Authorised SCA Trainers (ASTs) and Premier Training Campuses throughout the United Kingdom. The curriculum is meticulously designed as a progressive pathway, allowing you to build your skills logically from a foundational understanding to a professional mastery of the craft, culminating in the prestigious Roastery Skills Diploma.
What Makes It Stand Out
The SCA's key advantage is its universal authority and standardised excellence. A certificate earned through an SCA course carries significant weight in the speciality coffee industry, recognised by employers across the UK and internationally.
- Standardised UK Curriculum: The roasting modules (Foundation, Intermediate, and Professional) follow a consistent, high-quality curriculum, ensuring your skills are transferable and understood nationwide.
- Centralised Course Directory: The easy-to-use search function allows you to filter by location, finding a huge variety of accredited courses near you, making it simple to compare dates and training providers in the UK.
- Clear Professional Pathway: The structured system provides a clear roadmap for career advancement, allowing you to track your progress and work towards the comprehensive Roastery Skills Diploma.
Key Details & Pricing
As the platform connects you to independent training centres, prices and course formats vary. However, the content and certification standards remain consistent.
| Course Type | Focus | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roasting Foundation | Core concepts, roast cycle, and safety | £350 - £600 | Beginners and those new to professional roasting. |
| Roasting Intermediate | Roast profiles, sensory analysis, and quality control | £800 - £1,500 | Roasters with experience seeking deeper knowledge. |
| Roasting Professional | Advanced profile development and roastery management | £1,200 - £2,000+ | Senior roasters aiming for industry leadership. |
While you book directly with the third-party campus, the SCA portal is the most reliable way to verify a course's legitimacy and ensure your investment leads to an official, globally respected qualification. It’s the essential directory for anyone looking to build a career in coffee roasting with a foundation of certified expertise in the UK.
Website: https://education.sca.coffee/
4. Coffee Nexus
For roasters in Scotland and across the UK seeking a highly adaptable and specialised training environment, Coffee Nexus in Edinburgh offers a compelling proposition. As an SCA Premier Training Campus, they provide a deep dive into the technicalities of roasting, supported by a lab certified for green coffee and sensory skills. This isn't just a place to learn; it's a hub for understanding the entire coffee value chain, from bean to cup.
What makes Coffee Nexus particularly powerful is its flexibility. Whether you travel to their state-of-the-art Edinburgh lab or arrange for their expert trainers to visit your own roastery anywhere in the UK, the focus is on practical, relevant skills development. This bespoke approach ensures that the training directly applies to your equipment and business goals, making it an incredibly efficient way for professional teams to level up their skills.
What Makes It Stand Out
The strength of Coffee Nexus lies in its integrated approach to coffee education and its unique, flexible delivery model that caters directly to the needs of commercial roasteries in the UK.
- Bespoke On-Site Training: A standout feature is their ability to deliver SCA-certified training at your own roastery. This allows your team to learn and perfect their skills on the very equipment they use daily, a massive advantage for consistency and immediate application.
- Integrated Curriculum: Training seamlessly connects roasting with green bean analysis and sensory evaluation. This holistic view helps roasters make more informed decisions, understanding how every variable impacts the final flavour profile.
- SCA Certified Campus: As a Premier Training Campus, their lab and curriculum meet the highest industry standards, ensuring any qualification you gain is globally respected and valued within the UK’s speciality coffee scene.
Key Details & Pricing
Coffee Nexus provides options for individuals at their campus and tailored solutions for businesses. Pricing is available upon enquiry, reflecting the bespoke nature of many of their services.
| Course Type | Focus | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCA Roasting Courses | Technical skills & SCA certification | Enquire for details | Individuals seeking qualifications or teams needing a skills baseline. |
| Bespoke On-Site Training | Tailored coaching on your own equipment | Customised Pricing | Roasteries looking to upskill their entire production team efficiently. |
| Green & Sensory Skills | Green bean grading & professional cupping protocols | Enquire for details | Roasters wanting to deepen their knowledge of coffee quality assessment. |
The best approach is to contact Coffee Nexus directly to discuss your specific training needs. Their flexible model is ideal for established UK roasteries aiming to refine their processes or new ventures wanting to start with a solid foundation of best practices, all tailored to their unique setup.
Website: https://www.coffeenexus.co.uk/sca-courses
5. Drury Tea & Coffee – SCA & CQI Courses
For those looking for a solid and accessible entry point into the world of certified roasting, Drury Tea & Coffee offers a focused and practical training environment in London. As an established name in the UK coffee scene, their training centre provides a welcoming space for individuals and teams to gain fundamental, industry-recognised skills without an overwhelming commitment, making it an ideal first step on your roasting journey.
Drury’s approach is straightforward and effective, concentrating on delivering the core SCA curriculum with clarity. Their training centre in Woolwich is perfect for London-based enthusiasts or coffee professionals wanting to add a formal qualification to their skill set. The focus is on building a strong foundation, ensuring every participant leaves with a confident grasp of roasting principles.
What Makes It Stand Out
Drury’s strength lies in its accessibility and clear, foundational approach to SCA-certified training. It demystifies the world of coffee roasting courses for newcomers in the UK capital.
- Focused Foundational Learning: Specialising in the SCA Roasting Foundation module, the course is perfectly paced for beginners, covering the entire roasting cycle from green coffee to quality control in a single intensive day.
- Integrated Coffee Skills: The centre offers a suite of SCA courses, including Green Coffee and Sensory Skills, allowing you to build a well-rounded understanding of the coffee value chain alongside your roasting education.
- Transparent and Accessible: With clear course outlines and pricing published directly on their website, booking your training is simple and straightforward, removing barriers for those ready to get started.
Key Details & Pricing
The courses are competitively priced for the London market, offering a cost-effective route to achieving your first SCA certification in roasting.
| Course Type | Focus | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCA Roasting Foundation | Core roasting principles & SCA certification | £275 | Beginners and baristas seeking an official starting point. |
| SCA Green Coffee | Coffee grading, defects, and processing | £275 | Roasters and buyers wanting to deepen their sourcing knowledge. |
| SCA Sensory Skills | Professional cupping and sensory analysis | £275 | Anyone looking to develop their palate and quality assessment. |
While Drury currently focuses on the Foundation level for roasting, this specialisation makes them an excellent choice for mastering the essentials. Course dates can be limited, so it's best to check their schedule online and book in advance. For anyone in the UK seeking a clear, no-nonsense introduction to the craft, Drury provides a valuable and respected starting block.
Website: https://www.drurycoffee.com/coffees/sca-cqi-coffee-courses/
6. Ue Coffee Roasters – Roasting Experience Day
For those whose curiosity about coffee roasting is just beginning to brew, the Roasting Experience Day from Ue Coffee Roasters offers a perfect, low-pressure introduction. Situated in a working roastery in Witney, Oxfordshire, this experience demystifies the craft, providing an accessible and thoroughly hands-on session. It’s an ideal way to get a feel for the process, understand the transformation from green bean to delicious brew, and decide if a deeper dive into coffee roasting courses is your next step.
This masterclass is less about formal certification and more about the pure joy of creation. Guided by the head roaster, you’ll be blending, roasting, and cupping your own coffee. The small group format ensures you get personalised attention, making it an engaging and memorable way to explore a new passion without the commitment of a multi-day course.
What Makes It Stand Out
The strength of this experience lies in its authenticity and practicality. You are not just learning theory; you are actively participating in the core activities of a roaster within a genuine, operational environment.
- Hands-On Creation: From the start, you are involved in creating your own custom blend, operating the roaster under expert supervision, and tasting the results.
- Affordable Taster Session: It serves as a fantastic, cost-effective stepping stone, allowing you to gauge your interest before investing in more extensive and expensive SCA-certified training.
- Intimate Learning Setting: With a maximum of six participants per session, you receive direct guidance and can ask plenty of questions, ensuring a rich learning experience.
- Take-Home Reward: You leave not just with new knowledge but with a 250g bag of coffee that you personally roasted, a tangible and tasty reminder of your day.
Key Details & Pricing
This experience is priced as an accessible, one-off masterclass, making it perfect for gifts or a personal treat for any coffee lover.
| Course Type | Focus | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roasting Experience Day | Hands-on introduction & blend creation | £95 | Beginners, home enthusiasts, and gift-givers. |
As dates are limited and groups are small, booking in advance is essential to secure a spot. While it doesn't offer a formal qualification, the practical exposure it provides is invaluable. It’s an inspiring, enjoyable, and brilliant first taste of the rewarding world of coffee roasting.
Website: https://www.uecoffeeroasters.com/products/copy-of-home-barista-masterclass-tasting-and-sensory
7. Barista Hustle
For those eager to understand the deep science behind the perfect roast, Barista Hustle offers a globally respected online curriculum that’s second to none. This platform is perfect for UK-based learners who want to build a rock-solid theoretical foundation from home, complementing any hands-on training they might pursue. It demystifies the complex chemistry and physics of roasting, transforming it into accessible, engaging, and science-backed content.
Barista Hustle’s approach is rigorous and academic yet designed for practical application. Their courses break down everything from heat transfer to Maillard reactions, equipping you with the knowledge to make informed decisions at the roaster. This makes it an invaluable resource for both beginners building confidence and experienced roasters in the UK looking to refine their craft.
What Makes It Stand Out
The platform’s strength lies in its ability to deliver university-level coffee science in a flexible, self-paced online format that fits around a busy schedule in the UK.
- In-Depth Scientific Curriculum: Moves beyond basic instructions to explore the core scientific principles of roasting, including thermodynamics, bean chemistry, and advanced roast profiling.
- Flexible Learning Model: Choose between purchasing individual courses for lifetime access or subscribing for unlimited access to their entire library, a cost-effective way to continuously learn.
- Expert-Authored Content: All material is developed by respected industry professionals and is regularly updated, ensuring the information is current and relevant to the evolving UK speciality coffee scene.
- Ideal for Hybrid Learning: It’s the perfect theoretical companion to practical, in-person SCA training, allowing you to master the 'why' before you perfect the 'how'.
Key Details & Pricing
Barista Hustle provides an affordable and accessible entry point to high-level coffee education. Note that prices are typically in USD, so UK users should account for currency conversion.
| Course Type | Focus | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Courses | Deep dives into specific topics (e.g., Roasting Science). | Approx. £60 - £120 | Learners focusing on one area of expertise. |
| Unlimited Subscription | Full access to all courses and future updates. | Approx. £12/month | Dedicated professionals and enthusiasts wanting continuous learning. |
This platform is a fantastic choice for anyone in the UK seeking top-tier coffee roasting courses without the commitment and expense of travel. By mastering the theory online with Barista Hustle, you'll be far better prepared to maximise any hands-on roasting opportunities, armed with the knowledge to troubleshoot, innovate, and truly control your craft.
Website: https://www.baristahustle.com/
7-Point Comparison of Coffee Roasting Courses
| Program | Implementation Complexity | Resource Requirements | Expected Outcomes | Ideal Use Cases | Key Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roasting Experience Day Masterclass – Ue Coffee Roasters | Low to moderate (full-day hands-on) | Physical attendance at Oxfordshire roastery | Personalized roast, sensory skill development | Coffee enthusiasts seeking hands-on intro | Expert guidance, take-home coffee, cupping session |
| London School of Coffee | High (multi-day, technical & business focused) | Access to commercial roasters in London | Professional roasting skills, business readiness | Aspiring or professional roasters | SCA certification, industry trainers, UK business focus |
| Specialty Coffee Association Education – Course Finder | Variable (depends on UK campus/course) | Enrollment at accredited UK campuses | Accredited SCA roasting qualifications | Learners seeking standardized SCA training | Centralized UK course access, recognized credentials |
| Coffee Nexus | Moderate to high (campus/on-site) | Certified lab, on-site or campus training | Practical roasting and sensory integration | UK roasteries needing tailored training | Flexible delivery, specialized equipment access, expert-led |
| Drury Tea & Coffee – SCA & CQI Courses | Low to moderate (foundation level) | Physical presence in Woolwich, London | Foundational SCA roasting skills | Beginners and teams within London area | Low cost, transparent pricing, entry-level focus |
| Ue Coffee Roasters – Roasting Experience Day | Low (full-day beginner class) | Attendance at Witney roastery | Basic roasting experience, blend creation | Home enthusiasts starting roasting journey | Affordable, experiential, small group format |
| Barista Hustle | Low (online, self-paced) | Internet access, personal device | Science-based roasting knowledge, certificates | Self-directed UK learners wanting theory | Flexible access, expert content, cost-effective |
Your Next Step in the World of Coffee
The journey from coffee enthusiast to skilled roaster is an exciting one, paved with sensory discoveries and technical mastery. We've explored some of the UK’s finest coffee roasting courses, from immersive, single-day experiences that let you feel the heat and hear the crackle, to rigorous, career-defining certifications that unlock doors in the UK speciality coffee industry. Each path offers a unique gateway into the heart of coffee transformation.
Whether you're drawn to the hands-on, practical approach of a Roasting Experience Day or the structured, theoretical framework of an SCA programme, the fundamental takeaway is clear: education is the catalyst for excellence. Understanding the science behind the roast, developing your palate, and learning to manipulate variables like time and temperature are the skills that separate a good roast from an unforgettable one.
Choosing Your Roasting Path
Selecting the right course isn't just about the curriculum; it's about aligning the training with your personal or professional goals within the UK market. To make the best choice, consider these crucial factors:
- Your Ambition: Are you a home roaster aiming to perfect your craft for personal enjoyment, or are you an aspiring professional looking to launch a micro-roastery? A one-day masterclass is perfect for the former, while a multi-level SCA certification is essential for the latter.
- Learning Style: Do you learn best by doing, or do you prefer to absorb theory before putting it into practice? Courses like those offered by Ue Coffee Roasters prioritise hands-on experience, whereas online platforms like Barista Hustle offer deep dives into the science first.
- Time and Budget: Be realistic about your commitment. A comprehensive course is a significant investment in both time and money, but the return on that investment, in terms of skill and confidence, can be immeasurable.
Ultimately, the best coffee roasting courses do more than just teach you how to operate a machine. They empower you to develop your own unique roasting philosophy and style. They connect you with a vibrant community of passionate professionals and enthusiasts across the UK, creating networks that can support your journey for years to come. This is your opportunity to move beyond simply brewing coffee and start shaping its very flavour profile from the source. The knowledge you gain will not only elevate every cup you roast but will also deepen your appreciation for the craft and the incredible journey from green bean to final brew. Your next chapter in coffee starts now.
Ready to put theory into practice and experience the thrill of the roast first-hand? Explore the immersive training opportunities at Ue Coffee Roasters, where our passion for education and excellence in speciality coffee come together. Visit Ue Coffee Roasters to book a course and begin your journey with experts dedicated to helping you master the art and science of coffee roasting.