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Hospitality & Lifestyle Wine, Spirits, Sake & Coffee

Certificate for Module (Specialty Coffee: Introduction to Coffee and Brewing Skills)
證書(單元 : 精品咖啡之咖啡入門及沖煮技巧)

CEF Reimbursable Course

CEF Reimbursable Course

Course Code
HT012A
Application Code
2265-2300AW
2270-1830AW

Credit
9
Study mode
Part-time
Start Date
03 Jan 2025 (Fri)
Duration
30 hours
Language
Cantonese, suppl with teaching materials in Eng
Course Fee
HK$17,100* per programme inclusive of:
1.) Learning materials in English
2.) Coffee tasting for various types of coffee beans
3.) Test Fee for SCA "Introduction to Coffee" qualification
4.) Test Fee for SCA "Brewing Foundation" qualification
5.) Test Fee for SCA "Brewing Intermediate" qualification
6.) SCA certificate(s) (soft-copy) for each qualification upon successful completion

Note: A Student Service fee of USD 50 for SCA “Introduction to Coffee” Examination, USD 50 for SCA “Brewing Foundation” Examination, and USD 50 for SCA "Brewing Intermediate" Examination will be paid by students directly to SCA, and this is an additional fee on top of the tuition fee (i.e. HK$17,100) to HKU SPACE.
Deadline on 27 Dec 2024 (Fri)
Enquiries
2867 8483
2861 0278
Apply Now

Today and Upcoming Events

This course has been included in the list of reimbursable courses under the Continuing Education Fund (CEF)
此課程已列入持續進修基金 CEF 認可課程

Highlights

This programme is designed to provide a sound introduction to coffee and coffee brewing for those who are interested in deepening their coffee knowledge.

Students will learn about coffee's journey from its origins in Ethiopia to the major commodity it is today. From growing the beans through drying, roasting, brewing and finally drinking, this programme provides an overview of the coffee value chain. In terms of coffee brewing, students will learn about the various methods and devices for brewing coffee and the brewing variables that affect quality. A “coffee cupping” will be included to allow students to taste the various flavours coffee has to offer. The second part of this programme is activity-based and it provides hands-on instruction on grind profiles, brewing methods, measuring coffee strength and charting coffee's extraction to deliver a delicious, well balanced cup. Students will also learn how to manipulate brewing techniques to improve coffee quality.

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INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of the programme, students should be able to:

  • explain the origin, species, process, roasting and freshness of coffee;
  • compare and contrast different coffee brewing methods and devices;
  • describe the essential elements of brewing;
  • illustrate how brewing guidelines and brewing processes affect the balance of the brewed coffee; and
  • demonstrate sensory skills and analysis of brew, and the correct use of brewing equipment.

 

Why HKU SPACE?

  1. Graduates of our coffee course will be awarded FOUR different certificates and will achieve points towards the award 'The SCA Coffee Skills Diploma' awarded by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).
  2. Students can taste various samples of coffees during the course of their studies, and they are systematically arranged by classroom session.
  3. Our coffee course is taught by qualified professionals who are also experienced in coffee education.
  4. Our coffee course will be delivered by a single teacher, where possible, throughout the entire course to ensure consistency in content and teaching style.
  5. All coffee beans are carefully and impartially selected from different recognized coffee suppliers to suit the genuine needs of the course.
  6. Small class-size (max.8) in our coffee course brings about better teaching and learning, and enhances teacher-student interaction.

 

What will you get?

Upon successful completion of this programme, you will receive:

  1. HKU SPACE Certificate for Module (Specialty Coffee: Introduction to Coffee and Brewing Skills) 證書(單元 : 精品咖啡之咖啡入門及沖煮技巧), awarded within the HKU system through HKU SPACE.
  2. "Introduction to Coffee" certificate (soft copy) by the SCA.
  3. "Brewing Foundation" certificate (soft copy) by the SCA.
  4. "Brewing Intermediate" certificate (soft copy) by the SCA.
  5. Free membership of HKU SPACE Alumni Association.

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Programme Details

“Specialty coffee” is about all people involved in the coffee value chain work in harmony and maintain a keen focus on standards and excellence from start to finish, and these people include the coffee farmer, the green coffee buyer, the roaster, the barista, and the consumer.

In view of the popularity of fresh coffee and the emergence of coffee-drinking habits in Hong Kong, consumers and people working in the value chain of Specialty Coffee have growing interests to acquire more general knowledge in coffee, as well as coffee brewing skills, so that they can apply it in their workplace and widen their knowledge.

This programme is suitable to coffee enthusiasts so that they can deepen and broaden their coffee knowledge for social purpose; and those who wish to work with coffee as part of a larger beverage portfolio in the retail, wholesale and hospitality sectors, since students will acquire the job skills and competencies of coffee brewing. Students completing the brewing modules (foundation and intermediate levels) may fit with jobs such as sales & marketing (importer / exporter), head barista, coffee shop manager, retain chain manager/quality manager, sommelier, food & beverage manager, coffee machine sales / engineer, etc.

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Syllabus

The programme consists of 30 face-to-face teaching hours, 3 hours in each session with coffee tasting, and they are structured into 10 sessions with the following key topics.
This syllabus is adapted from the Coffee Skills Diploma programme guidebooks by Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)

Part 1

Introduction to Coffee

I

Coffee Knowledge

II Roasting
III Freshness
IV Sensory Skills
V Brewing
VI Water
VII Cleaning and Maintenance

Part 2

Brewing

I

Brewing Methods and Equipment

II Brewing Guidelines
III Brewing Process
IV Brew Analysis
V Cleaning and Maintenance

 

Assessment and Awards

This programme will be assessed by three Tests. Setting and marking of the test papers are conducted/verified by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) or its Authorized SCA Trainers.

Students have to obtain ‘Pass’ on all assessment components (Test 1 pass with 60% or above, Test 2 pass with 60% or above, and Test 3 pass with 70% or above) and attain 70% attendance for completion of this Certificate for Module programme. Students can re-attempt assessment components if they fail, subject to a fee.

Assessment Type and Weighting

Assessment Format and Duration

Pass Mark

Test 1 (20%) Online MC Questions (22 mins)

60% and above

Test 2 (35%) Online MC Questions (32 mins); and Practical Questions (60 mins) 60% and above
Test 3 (45%) Online MC Questions (60 mins) and Practical Questions (90 mins) 70% and above

Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates will be awarded the 'Certificate for Module (Specialty Coffee: Introduction to Coffee and brewing Skills)' (證書(單元 : 精品咖啡之咖啡入門及沖煮技巧) within the HKU system through HKU SPACE. In addition, graduates will also be awarded the corresponding SCA award certificates (awarding body: SCA) and will achieve different points towards the award “The SCA Coffee Skills Diploma” (awarding body: SCA) if they fulfill the assessment requirements set by SCA.

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private group training

Corporate training or private group training can be arranged. Please contact Programme Team (Tel: 28678483 or email: coffeehtm@hkuspace.hku.hk) for details.

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Application Code 2265-2300AW Apply Online Now
Start Date 03 Jan 2025 (Fri)
Apply Online Now
Application Code 2270-1830AW Apply Online Now
Start Date 14 Feb 2025 (Fri)
Apply Online Now

Duration
  • 30 hours
    3 hours per session; 1-2 sessions per day
Venue

Class Details

upcoming classes

Application
Code

Date

Time Venue

Tutor

(Medium of
Instruction)

Test

Application Deadline

2265-2300AW

3 January 2025

10 January 2025

17 January 2025

24 January 2025

7 February 2025 (Friday)

10:00AM - 5:00PM

(1-hour lunch
break incl.)

Kowloon West Campus

Keith Tse

(Cantonese
supplemented with
English materials)

7 February 2025 27 December 2024
2270-1830AW

14 February 2025

21 February 2025

28 February 2025

7 March 2025

14 March 2025 (Friday)

10:30AM - 5:30PM

(1-hour lunch
break incl.)

Island East Campus

Isacc Wong

(Cantonese
supplemented with
English materials)

14 March 2025 20 January 2025
  • The programme team reserves the right to change the above timetable if necessary.
  • All classes are subject to sufficient enrolment.

 

OUR coffee TUTOR

 

Mr. Chris So

Mr. Chris So

Chris has great passion in coffee and has been certified as a Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Trainer since 2015. He holds the SCA Coffee Skills Diploma and is a licensed Q Arabica Grader of Coffee Quality Institute. Chris is a professional coffee consultant and his focus is on training, quality control and coffee buying. Chris has been a Head Judge for multiple Hong Kong Coffee Championships and he is also a Certified Sensory Judge for the World Barista Championship, World Brewers Cup, World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship and World Coffee Roasting Championship. Chris won the Hong Kong Coffee in Good Spirits Championship in 2018 and represented Hong Kong and ranked 8th at the World Championship. He has also successfully coached four Hong Kong Champions and one World Champion in Coffee.  

In addition to his coffee knowledge, Chris is also a longstanding Wine and Spirit Educator at HKUSPACE and he is an international judge for Wine, Spirit, Sake and Beer. Chris was awarded the "Outstanding Teacher Award of HKUSPACE College of Business & Finance 2018/19" for his teaching excellence.
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Competition Coach:

2012 Hong Kong Siphonist Champion
2013 Hong Kong Siphonist Champion
2013 World Siphonist Champion
2015 Hong Kong Brewers Cup Championship 2nd place
2016 Hong Kong Brewers Cup Championship Champion
2016 Hong Kong Latte Art Championship Champion
2017 World Latte Art Championship 5th place
2018 Hong Kong Siphonist Champion  
2018 World Siphonist Champion 4th place  
2018 Hong Kong Latte Art Championship Champion
2019 Hong Kong Brewers Cup Championship 3rd place

Competition Awards:

2013 Hong Kong Clever Cup Contest Champion
2016 Hong Kong Coffee Power Rangers Team Championship Champion
2018 Hong Kong Coffee in Good Spirits Champion
2018 World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship 8th Place
2024 United Kingdom Brewers Cup Championship 3rd place

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Keith

Mr. Keith Tse

Keith is a professional barista and has been working as a barista for over eight years. He is very passionate about coffee and he wishes to share coffee knowledge and professional techniques to more people by being an Authorized Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Trainer. He holds the ‘Brewing Professional’ and ‘Barista Skills Professional’ from Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).

He is an experienced teacher for barista programmes and he taught barista training programmes for nearly five years for ‘City & Guilds’ and ‘Employees Retraining Board (ERB)’. Students enjoy his coffee classes very much since he is a friendly and open-minded teacher delivering highly interactive and informative classes.

His creativity in practicing latte art has brought him to a world-class level, and he won 5 times the Hong Kong Latte Art Championship in 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022 & 2024. He is also the one of the semi-finalists for the 2022 World Latte Art Championship.

Cert

 
Competition Awards:

2016 Hong Kong Latte Art Championship – Champion
2017 World Latte Art Championship 5th Place
2018 Hong Kong Latte Art Championship – Champion
2021 Hong Kong Latte Art Championship – Champion
2022 Hong Kong Latte Art Championship – Champion
2024 Hong Kong Latte Art Championship – Champion

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Mr. Isacc Wong 

Isacc is a seasoned barista with over a decade of experience in the coffee industry. He has developed a deep passion for coffee and is committed to sharing his expertise with others. His dedication to the craft has earned him the title of Authorized Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Trainer, and he holds certifications in 'Brewing Professional', 'Barista Skills Professional', and 'Sensory skills Professional' from the SCA.

As an accomplished barista trainer, Isacc has delivered training programs for prestigious institutions such as 'Employees Retraining Board (ERB)' from 2019 to present. He is known for his approachable and friendly teaching style, which combines highly interactive and informative classes that have garnered high praise from students.

Isacc's achievements as a barista extend beyond the competition circuit, as he was the 1st Run-up in the Korea Barista Team Championship 2018 (Korea) and placed 3rd Runner-up in the Hong Kong Barista Championship 2017 (Hong Kong). He has also served as a judge for the 2018 & 2019 Hong Kong Interschool Latte Art Competition.

He is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and experience with others, believing that a perfect cup of coffee can brighten anyone's day. He is enthusiastic about continuing to learn and grow in the coffee industry and is eager to inspire others to share his passion.

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COMPETITION AWARDS:

2014 Hong Kong Coffee Power Latte Art Competition - 3rd place
2015 Hong Kong Coffee Power Coffee Power Coffee Roasting Competition - 2nd place
2017 Fuji Royal Roasting Competition - Champion
2017 Hong Kong Barista Championship - 4th place
2018 Korea Barista Team Championship - 2nd place

Professional Accreditation

SCA LogoSpecialty Coffee Association (SCA) is a non-profit trade association worldwide, with a purpose to foster global coffee communities to support activities to make coffee a more sustainable, equitable and thriving activity for the whole value chain. The SCA acts as a unifying force within the specialty coffee industry and works to make coffee better by raising standards worldwide through a collaborative and progressive approach. 

Brand-New: SCA Skills Diploma

A new set of diplomas that give student in-depth knowledge and practical experience which can immediately apply in an industry setting. Each diploma requires a combination of advanced level learning and foundational coursework.

This programme is designed for students to acquire the required courses towards "SCA Café Diploma", "SCA Roastery Diploma" and "SCA Coffee Trade Diploma" awarded by Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).

Students completing this programme satisfactorily will simultaneously complete the “Introduction to Coffee” module, and 2 out of 3 levels of the specialist module “Brewing” (namely Foundation level of Brewing and Intermediate level of Brewing). Students will also be awarded a SCA certificate (soft copy) of the completed module of the level. If students wish to continue to study other specialist modules, they can choose to study the remaining courses that the Diploma required to obtain the Diploma.

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Retiring the SCA Coffee Diploma (100-point Diploma)

During the launch of the SCA Skills Diplomas, the current SCA Coffee Diploma (also known as the 100-point Diploma) will remain available for an extended transition period. Those qualifying for the SCA Coffee Diploma may still apply through SCA by December 31, 2023. Then, the SCA Coffee Diploma will be completely replaced by the SCA Skills Diploma.  

Even though the SCA Coffee Diploma will no longer be issued starting in 2024, it is still recognized and celebrated by the Specialty Coffee Association as a valid representation of a learner’s achievement.

The former SCA Coffee Diploma is exclusive to the Coffee Skills Program (CSP) and is awarded to learners who earned 100 or more points with CSP courses. In this diploma program, each CSP course is assigned a point value. The points awarded at each level are listed below:  

Introduction to Coffee = 10 points  
Foundation = 5 points 
Intermediate = 10 points 
Professional = 25 points  

For more information, please visit: https://education.sca.coffee/sca-skills-diploma

Fee

Course Fee
  • HK$17,100* per programme inclusive of:
    1.) Learning materials in English
    2.) Coffee tasting for various types of coffee beans
    3.) Test Fee for SCA "Introduction to Coffee" qualification
    4.) Test Fee for SCA "Brewing Foundation" qualification
    5.) Test Fee for SCA "Brewing Intermediate" qualification
    6.) SCA certificate(s) (soft-copy) for each qualification upon successful completion

    Note: A Student Service fee of USD 50 for SCA “Introduction to Coffee” Examination, USD 50 for SCA “Brewing Foundation” Examination, and USD 50 for SCA "Brewing Intermediate" Examination will be paid by students directly to SCA, and this is an additional fee on top of the tuition fee (i.e. HK$17,100) to HKU SPACE.

Entry Requirements

Applicants shall not have any health conditions that made them unfit for coffee tasting.

Note: Applicants who have already obtained SCA "Introduction to Coffee" / "Brewing Foundation" / "Brewing Intermediate" certificate should approach Programme Team before application.

CEF

  • The CEF Institution Code of HKU SPACE is 100
CEF Courses
Certificate for Module (Specialty Coffee: Introduction to Coffee and Brewing Skills)
證書(單元 : 精品咖啡之咖啡入門及沖煮技巧)
COURSE CODE 43C133921 FEES $17,100 ENQUIRY 2520-4607
Continuing Education Fund Continuing Education Fund
This course has been included in the list of reimbursable courses under the Continuing Education Fund.

Certificate for Module (Specialty Coffee: Introduction to Coffee and Brewing Skills)

  • This course is recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF Level [3])

Apply

Application Form Download Application Form

Enrolment Method

Application Code:

 
2265-2300AW Apply Now
2270-1830AW Apply Now

 

Payment Method
1. Cash, EPS, WeChat Pay Or Alipay

Course fees can be paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay or Alipay at any HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres.

2. Cheque Or Bank draft

Course fees can also be paid by crossed cheque or bank draft made payable to “HKU SPACE”. Please specify the programme title(s) for application and applicant’s name. You may either:

  • bring the completed form(s), together with the appropriate course or application fees in the form of a cheque, and any required supporting documents to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres;
  • or mail the above documents to any of the HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres, specifying “Course Application” on the envelope. HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of personal information and payment sent by mail.
3. VISA/Mastercard

Applicants may also pay the course fee by VISA or Mastercard, including the “HKU SPACE Mastercard”, at any HKU SPACE enrolment centres. Holders of the HKU SPACE Mastercard can enjoy a 10-month interest-free instalment period for courses with a tuition fee worth a minimum of HK$2,000; however, the course applicant must also be the cardholder himself/herself. For enquiries, please contact our staff at any enrolment centres.

4. Online Payment

Online application / enrolment is offered for most open admission courses (enrolled on first come, first served basis) and selected award-bearing programmes. Application fees and course fees of these programmes/courses can be settled by using "PPS by Internet" (not available via mobile phones), VISA or Mastercard. In addition to the aforesaid online payment channels, new and continuing students of award-bearing programmes with available online service, they may also pay their course fees by Online WeChat Pay, Online Alipay or Faster Payment System (FPS). Please refer to Enrolment Methods - Online Enrolment  for details.

Notes

  • If the programme/course is starting within five working days, application by post is not recommended to avoid any delays. Applicants are advised to enrol in person at HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres and avoid making cheque payment under this circumstance.

  • Fees paid are not refundable except under very exceptional circumstances (e.g. course cancellation due to insufficient enrolment), subject to the School’s discretion. In exceptional cases where a refund is approved, fees paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay, Alipay, cheque, FPS or PPS by Internet will be reimbursed by a cheque, and fees paid by credit card will be reimbursed to the credit card account used for payment. 

  • In addition to the published fees, there may be additional costs associated with individual programmes. Please refer to the relevant course brochures or direct any enquiries to the relevant programme team for details.
  • Fees and places on courses cannot be transferrable from one applicant to another. Once accepted onto a course, the student may not change to another course without approval from HKU SPACE. A processing fee of HK$120 will be levied on each approved transfer.
  • HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of payment, receipt, or personal information sent by mail.
  • For payment certification, please submit a completed form, a sufficiently stamped and self-addressed envelope, and a crossed cheque for HK$30 per copy made payable to “HKU SPACE” to any of our enrolment centres.