NORTHERN COFFEE SCHOOL · COURSE MODULE · BARSCA CERTIFIED · MANCHESTER · 2026
BAR · barista skills · at heart & graft

behind
the bar

Set a grinder, pull espresso and texture milk - then refine it to head-barista standard across three certified levels.

01
SCA · BAR-FND

Barista Skills
Foundation

MIN 7 HRS · MIN 2 LEARNERS
£300

The key skills to set a grinder, make espresso, and foam and texture milk for cappuccinos. An introductory understanding of coffee that sets a foundation for milk technique and latte art.

who it’s for
  • Beginners who want the correct foundational barista routines.
  • Home enthusiasts learning grinder calibration, recipes and milk texturing.
  • New café staff needing hospitality, equipment operation and safety.
prerequisites
  • None.
note - An Introduction to Coffee course is recommended but not mandatory.

What you’ll learn

Coffee Science & Extraction

  • Recognise taste, caffeine and environmental differences between Arabica and Robusta.
  • Calibrate grind size and adapt recipes to fix sour or bitter extraction.

Milk Techniques & Latte Art

  • Manage fresh-milk storage to eliminate spoilage and flavour defects.
  • Master steaming to create shiny micro-foam at recommended temperatures.

Workflow & Barista Leadership

  • Use commercial workflows to handle orders smoothly under pressure.
  • Distribute and tamp flat to prevent channelling and wrist strain.

Equipment, Water & QC

  • Identify machine and grinder components; monitor safe boiler pressure.
  • Test water hardness for scale risk and run daily cleaning loops.

Menu Design & Profitability

  • Build menu drinks using standardised espresso, milk and foam ratios.
  • Improve hospitality while keeping station waste below target.
what’s included
Instructor & trainer feesLab & espresso equipment accessPractice beans & milk varietiesPhysical guides & handoutsOfficial digital certification (on passing)All registration & exam fees
Dates, fees & places
Live availability - updates automatically
● LIVE
See all dates on the calendar →
02
SCA · BAR-INT

Barista Skills
Intermediate

2 DAYS · 16 HRS · MIN 2 LEARNERS
£495

For baristas refining espresso and café operations. Dial in with precision, adjust recipes for balance, create consistent microfoam, and improve speed - plus maintenance, service and troubleshooting.

who it’s for
  • Experienced baristas who want to improve coffee quality.
  • Team members ready for more complex functions behind the bar.
  • Owners or managers bringing consistency to every shift.
prerequisites
  • BAR-FND or equivalent hands-on experience recommended.
note - Fundamental barista routines are assumed and may be tested.

What you’ll learn

Coffee Beans & Solubility

  • See how varieties and regions shape espresso flavour.
  • Learn how washed, natural and honey processing change body and taste.
  • Understand how darker roasts lower density and dissolve faster.

Grinding & Consistency

  • Study how grinder styles and burr types change setups.
  • Predict how friction heat from burrs changes shot flow.
  • Master dosing, even distribution and level tamping.
  • Identify channelling and how a correct tamper fixes it.

Recipes & Extraction Science

  • Use brew ratios to calculate, adjust and record espresso recipes.
  • Measure strength with a refractometer and fix under/over-extraction.

Milk Properties & Texture

  • Use milk chemistry for stable microfoam and plant alternatives.
  • Build menu beverages and pour latte art at safe temperatures.

Workspace Flows & Management

  • Optimise counter layout and labour for fast paired workflows.
  • Learn cleaning requirements and cost the impact of daily waste.
what’s included
Instructor & trainer feesLab & espresso equipment accessPractice beans & milk varietiesPhysical guides & handoutsOfficial digital certification (on passing)All registration & exam fees
Dates, fees & places
Live availability - updates automatically
● LIVE
See all dates on the calendar →
03
SCA · BAR-PRO

Barista Skills
Professional

3 DAYS · MIN 2 LEARNERS
£720

Tests the advanced skills and science of a high-level professional - sophisticated tasting methodology, ingredient chemistry, custom extraction recipes, and the highest standard of milk steaming and latte art.

who it’s for
  • Experienced baristas (12+ months) validating head-barista skills.
  • Professionals in managerial or supervisory roles.
  • Trainers, roasters and shop leads mastering technical QC.
prerequisites
note - Foundational and intermediate knowledge is assumed and may be tested.

What you’ll learn

Coffee Science & Extraction

  • Examine how altitude, variety and experimental processing affect flavour.
  • Analyse dynamic pressure, boiler types and PID temperature control.
  • Use refractometers and filtration to measure yield and strength.

Advanced Milk & Latte Art

  • Explore milk composition and the role of proteins and fats in foam.
  • Identify causes of deterioration and steam advanced textures safely.
  • Pour free-pour latte art to rigorous SCA standards.

Workflow & Leadership

  • Manage complex multi-drink orders and high-volume flow.
  • Maintain standards and minimise waste under pressure.

Equipment, Water & QC

  • Understand filtration systems and recommend treatment to spec.
  • Test and adjust TDS, pH, hardness and alkalinity.

Menu Design & Profitability

  • Understand espresso blending and component ratios.
  • Apply cost control via contribution margins and break-even.
what’s included
Instructor & trainer feesLab & espresso equipment accessPractice beans & milk varietiesPhysical guides & handoutsOfficial digital certification (on passing)All registration & exam fees
Dates, fees & places
Live availability - updates automatically
● LIVE
See all dates on the calendar →

Find your pathway

Tell us where you are - total beginner, working barista, or aiming for Q - and we’ll map the right pathway through the school.

NORTHERN COFFEE SCHOOL · AT HEART & GRAFT COFFEE ROASTERY · MANCHESTER
SCA AUTHORISED TRAINING · CERTIFICATION ON SUCCESSFUL ASSESSMENT