Associate Certification Self Study

Study from anywhere in the world at a time that suits you with the Academy’s eLearning platform.

(49 customer reviews)

£149.00

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What you'll learn

What you'll learn on this Self Study Course

1: Milk Production and Cheesemaking

How to describe the key ingredients used in cheesemaking and their purpose
Have an overview of the steps involved in cheesemaking and maturation
Understand the Academy of Cheese Make/Post-Make (MPM) Model
Understand how milk is produced

2: Maturing, Affinage and Grading

Recognise the condition of a soft mould-ripened cheese in terms of degree of ripeness
Understands cheese grading and its relevance
Understands the role of maturation and affinage in adding value to the product
Knows the different techniques to accelerate and decelerate ripening in soft mould-ripened cheese

3: Buying and Distribution

Understand of how cheese is bought and transported including the term “chill chain”
Understand the importance of offering an appropriate range of cheeses for a cheese board

4: Presentation

Select and use appropriate packaging, to wrap and re-wrap cheese
Be able to cut cheese using appropriate tools
Understand the importance of caring for, cutting and serving cheeses appropriate to the variety

5: Communicating

Understands the key descriptors of cheese i.e. country of origin, species of milking animal, vegetarian/animal rennet, raw/pasteurised milk, MPM Model, protected status, age
Understands the principles of pairing cheese and drinks

6: Cheese Industry Knowledge

An overview of the history of cheesemaking
Understand the differences between large scale and artisan production
Understand an overview of the nutritional value of cheese

7: Regulation and Good Practice

Demonstrates good hand-washing techniques
Understand how to handle cheese safely
Understand the difference between “use by” and “best before”

8: Tasting

Understands how to use the Academy of Cheese Level 1 Structured Approach to Tasting Model
Practical assessment of cheese using the model

9: Level One Associate – 25 Cheeses

At Level One you are required to study and taste 25 iconic cheeses. You will find details on each cheese in your delegates pack and in the online Cheese Library. Whether you attend an online or classroom course you will be expected to have tasted the 25 cheeses on the Level One list by the time of your assessment.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Use the Structured Approach to Tasting Cheese (SATC) sheet to record your tasting notes.

Level One Exam

Whichever way you chose to study, you’ll need to take the online exam to become a certified Academy of Cheese Associate. It’s 30 questions in 30 minutes, you’ve got this!

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What you get

Enrol now and get Instant Access to your Level One Learning Road

12 months access to our Learning Road and exam.

You have 12 months access to the Learning Road and to take the exam.

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Free resources

Exclusive Delegate Resources

Each delegate can download a digital delegate pack with informative visual guides to use alongside the Learning Road. These include the cheese matrix, the simple & complex flavour trees, the classification guide, the step-by-step tasting sheets and the full colour Level One 25 cheeses book.

A printed version of the delegate pack is also available to purchase.

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Cheese 101: Cheese Regulation & Good Practice

Cheese 101: Cheese Buying & Distribution

Cheese 101: Milk Production & Cheesemaking

12 months access to our Academic Cheese Library (over 175 cheeses)

Delegates can access our ever-growing Cheese Library which clearly and accurately catalogues cheese in a user-friendly way. It is a valuable research tool for studying at home, for inspiration ahead of a trip to the cheesemonger and for retailers swotting up on their range or looking to add something new.

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Free guided workshops

Access to Online Guided Study Sessions

Self-study delegates are invited to attend a series of online Guided Sessions to help with their studies, enhance their learning journey and involve tasting and discussing a selection of Level One cheeses. Guided Sessions are optional and free to join; they are live, online group sessions, run by an expert tutor and last between 30 minutes to an hour.

They are small in size, designed to encourage interaction and discussion between the tutor and delegates.

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Who should become an Academy Of Cheese Associate?

Retail professionals

Distributors

Food Writers

Cheesemongers

Chef’s & Restaurateurs

Fanatical foodies

Cheesemakers

Sommeliers

Cheese Judges

You are not alone

The purpose of Academy of Cheese is simple, to provide cheese education in support of the industry and those that work within it.

Delegates enrolled

5700

Countries

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this course too advanced for me?

Absolutely not! The Level One course is the place to start your cheese education, whether you work in the industry or simply love cheese. We start with the basics and expand your knowledge, giving you a new appreciation for cheese and its industry.

Are there any entry requirements for this course?

No, not one entry requirement! The Level One is open to all and its the place to start your cheese education.

What if I am not in the UK?

No problem. You can study online with the self guided eLearning platform from anywhere in the world - at anytime that suits you .

What is the difference between Self Study, Virtual and Classroom courses?

The virtual classroom courses are taught live by a Training Partner across Zoom or a similar alternative platform. You will still receive access to the online Learning Road (think of this as your digital course book) to swot up on your knowledge and take the exam.

The self study eLearning option uses only the online Learning Road to take you through the course materials, there is no tutoring from a Training Partner. It is 100% self guided online study.

Regardless of which teaching method you choose, you are studying the same certification and will take the same online exam.

Can I order the 25 cheeses needed to taste at Level One?

Yes, You can purchase a cheese tasting box as part of their studies Click here to order a Level One Tasting Box

4.9

4.9 out of 5 stars (based on 49 reviews)

Excellent96%

Very good2%

Average2%

Poor0%

Terrible0%

31/03/2026

Really enjoyed Level 1 course with Academy of Cheese. The course is well structured and the mock quizes at the end of each learning stage is a great way to test your knowledge as you progress. The in person tasting session with Patrick Mcguigan was fantastic – 10/10 experience! Would highly recommend this course to anyone starting out in the industry or just a cheese-fanatic!

Sophie

12/03/2026

A brilliant course with the team at Paxton and Whitfield in Jermyn Street. Excellent teaching, lots of opportunities to participate and taste and good preparation for the Level 1 exam. Looking forward to using my knowledge and exam result to pair cheeses and wine as part of my job role as Head Sommelier for a Wine Estate and Private Sommelier.

Stephen Chamberlain

12/03/2026

I very much enjoyed a one day course with Simon (Cheesemonger Ferro) at The Courtyard Dairy. I already knew a reaonable amount about cheese through tastings and making at home but I discovered plenty of interesting new details. I also had the opportunity to taste many cheeses (about 20 ?!) and discuss them with Simon and the other participants. Overall a great introduction to the Academy of Cheese approach and preparation for the Associate qualification.

Mark Lawrence

17/09/2025

A great course to learn and deepen understanding of cheese for any cheese lover. I’m from non-cheese background but love cheese. I feel lucky to have found this course because it not only strengthened knowledge but also amplified my desire to know more about cheese! Motivated to do more self-study, enjoy different cheese types and learn their unique storytelling. Looking forward to attending a course and visiting a local cheesemaker soon as a next step!

HyeJi Jess (verified owner)

11/08/2025

A well-structured introductory course for cheeses. Online material is comprehensive and easy to understand such that I can use my leisure time to complete the course progressively. Of course, I would recommend studying with a few peers together or joining a face2face course-oriented cheeses tasting workshop. This will make your learning more funny.

Raymond SO

13/03/2025

I knew a lot about cheese before beginning the course, however I still learned a lot!

Jennifer Greco

16/02/2025

Excellent basic foundation to the world of cheese. Greatly enhanced my ability to talk to and engage customers in “all things cheese” on the Deli counter where I work!

Kathryn Goode