BSc (Hons) Brewing and Distilling

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Heriot Watt University Edinburgh

Program Overview

If you’re fascinated by the science behind beer, whisky, or spirits — and love the idea of turning that curiosity into a career — this degree is for you. Heriot-Watt’s Brewing and Distilling program blends chemistry, biology, and engineering with the artistry of creating world-class drinks, preparing you for an industry that’s as innovative as it is traditional.

Curriculum structure

Year 1
You’ll start by mastering the science that drives brewing and distilling. Courses like Introductory Biology 1, Practical Skills in Biology, and Chemistry for the Life Sciences help you understand how ingredients interact, while Introduction to Process Engineering connects science to real-world production. It’s the perfect foundation for the hands-on work to come.

Year 2
In second year, you’ll begin to see how everything fits together. Modules such as Bioprocess Engineering for Brewing and Distilling A & B, Introduction to Microbiology, and Cell and Molecular Biology dive deeper into fermentation and the living systems behind your favourite beverages. You can also explore the business side through Introduction to Accounting or Management in a Global Context.

Year 3
Now things get seriously exciting — this is where you specialize. You’ll study Concepts in Beverage Science, Beverage Microbiology and Biochemistry, and Research Studies in Malting, Brewing and Distilling. These modules connect science with practice, giving you the confidence to apply theory in real brewery and distillery environments.

Year 4 (Honours year)
Your final year focuses on mastering your craft. Through advanced modules like Brewing and Distilling 1–4 and Analytical Skills 1–2, you’ll refine your technical expertise and work on a major Honours Research Project. Using Heriot-Watt’s on-campus brewery and distillery, you’ll design experiments, analyse results, and get true hands-on experience in every stage of production.

Focus areas

Cereal science and technology, yeast biology, beverage microbiology and biochemistry, process engineering, brewing and distilling operations, quality control, and business management.

Learning outcomes

Develop deep scientific knowledge of brewing and distilling, gain hands-on technical experience, understand production systems and sustainability, and graduate fully prepared for professional roles in global beverage industries.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Accredited by the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD) — graduates gain exemptions from early IBD professional exams and strong industry recognition.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Heriot-Watt is Scotland’s top university for graduate outcomes and ranked 5th in the UK for employability. Home to the world-renowned International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD), the university’s century-long heritage in beverage science means you’ll learn from experts trusted across the global drinks industry.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Heriot-Watt, learning goes far beyond textbooks. From your very first year, you’ll be immersed in the real world of brewing and distilling — experimenting in working breweries and distilleries, testing your own batches, and learning directly from experts who’ve shaped the global drinks industry. The program is delivered through the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD), a world-renowned teaching and research hub where students get hands-on experience with every stage of production, from raw ingredients to bottling.

You won’t just learn about brewing — you’ll brew, distil, and analyse using professional-grade equipment. The practical focus of this degree ensures you graduate ready to walk into a brewery, distillery, or lab and know exactly what to do. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Pilot-scale brewery access: Students work with a fully equipped 200-litre brewery featuring mash tuns, fermentation vessels, and filtration systems — giving you genuine experience in brewing and fermentation processes.
On-campus distillery facilities: Learn the craft of distillation using real glass wash stills, spirit stills, and rectification labs (1 L, 5 L, 10 L units) to produce your own small-batch spirits under expert supervision.
Rectification and packaging labs: Get hands-on with bottling, kegging, filtration, and flavour stability testing — skills that mirror exactly what happens in commercial production.
Industrial practice modules: Courses like Industrial Practice for Brewing and Distilling connect theory with authentic industry scenarios, helping you develop both technical and professional skills.
Specialist library and digital tools: The university’s Brewing & Distilling library guide gives access to curated journals, eBooks, and industry databases — ideal for research projects or analytical coursework.
Strong industry collaboration: The ICBD works closely with global brewers and distillers, ensuring what you learn is always relevant and up to date with current technologies and standards.
Future-focused innovation: Heriot-Watt is developing the new Centre for Sustainable Brewing and Distilling (CSBD) — a cutting-edge facility focused on greener, low-carbon brewing and distilling methods, preparing you for the future of the industry.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from Heriot-Watt’s Brewing and Distilling program opens the door to one of the most dynamic and respected industries in the world. With a blend of scientific knowledge, hands-on production skills, and business awareness, you’ll be ready to take on leadership roles in breweries, distilleries, and beyond. Many graduates go on to careers such as Master Brewer, Distillery Manager, Quality Assurance Specialist, or Process Engineer, while others start their own craft brands or work in product development for global beverage companies.

Here’s how Heriot-Watt helps you get there:

Career Development Support: The university’s dedicated Career Development Service helps you identify opportunities, refine your CV, and prepare for interviews. You’ll also benefit from employer networking events and career fairs focused on food, drink, and life sciences.
Graduate Employment & Salaries: Brewing and distilling graduates see strong early career outcomes — with median salaries around £23,900 one year after graduation, rising to £28,500 after three years and £32,500 after five.
Industry Partnerships: The program is delivered through the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD), which works closely with breweries, distilleries, and research centres around the world. With over 11,000 people directly employed in Scotland’s whisky industry, the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow.
Professional Accreditation: The degree is recognised by the Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD), giving your qualification international credibility and allowing you to gain exemptions from early professional exams.
Graduate Success: Heriot-Watt is proud to be ranked 1st in Scotland and 5th in the UK for graduate outcomes, meaning its students are among the most employable in the country.

Further Academic Progression:
Many students choose to continue their studies with Heriot-Watt’s prestigious MSc Brewing and Distilling or the innovative MSc in Sustainable Brewing and Distilling. These programmes allow you to specialise further — whether in research, sustainability, or management — and prepare for senior or technical leadership roles in global beverage industries.