About this Certification
Want to learn more about cheese? Then Level One is for you! Becoming an Associate of the Academy of Cheese is the first step to developing a greater understanding and appreciation of cheese.
The course will introduce you to the Academy’s own Structured Approach to Tasting and you will discover a range of tools to help you communicate more effectively about cheese. You’ll learn how cheese is made, how to assess quality, understand the provenance and range of cheese available. You will study and taste 25 iconic cheeses before you’re ready to sit your online exam and gain your first Academy of Cheese certification.
What will I learn?
In this course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to take your Level 1 exam and become an Academy of Cheese Associate. You will learn the correct way to taste cheese, how to present it, how it’s made and much, much more.
Here are the 9 modules which structure the course.
How to Study
There are three ways you can study for your certification:
Self Study
Study in your own time, at your own pace via the self study eLearning platform. You’ll receive 12 months access to the online Learning Road (your digital course book), and the option to join our online Guided Sessions. You study the content and take the online exam when it suits you. The course fee does not include cheese, offering the perfect excuse for a trip to the cheesemongers!
Virtual
Study as part of a small group online, in a virtual classroom. Level One virtual courses are hosted by an Academy Training Partner via live webinar, you can tune in from wherever you are in the world (just check the time zones!) You can request a home cheese delivery when you buy your course, or you can choose to shop for your own.
Classroom
Study as part of a small group in a traditional classroom setting. Level One classroom courses are hosted in person by an Academy Training Partner but you’ll still receive access to the online Learning Road (your digital course book) and take your exam online. Classroom course fees include cheese to taste during the class.
Assessment criteria
The online examination can be taken after you have completed 6-8 hours classroom study and 12-24 hours of home study (including cheese tasting!). The Learning Road contains ‘knowledge check’ questions which test your progress as your study and help prepare you for the exam. Accreditation is awarded to delegates that achieve 24 marks and above (from a possible 30 questions) in our multiple choice, 30 minute exam. If you fail fear not, you can always try again for a small retake fee of £15.
The multiple choice questions are taken from the nine standards of learning outlined above. The current pass rate is 91%.
Why should you get certified?
If you’re working in the cheese industry…
As an industry recognised course, exam and accreditation, it is a must-have for cheese professionals looking to enhance their career or get started in the cheese industry. You will benefit from:
If you’re a cheese lover …
Studying cheese will increase your enjoyment and appreciation of cheese by broadening your knowledge of cheesemaking and your understanding of provenance and variety of cheese. So, if you want to:
Who should get certified?
Frequently asked questions
In this course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to take your Level 1 exam and become an Academy of Cheese Associate. You will learn the correct way to taste cheese, how to present it and more…