Key information
Sustainability is driving change across the global drinks industry, from brewing and distilling to allied sectors. This MSc equips you with the knowledge and skills to assess current practices, develop practical sustainability strategies, and support the transition to a low-carbon, Net Zero future.
- Level
- Postgraduate
- Delivery type
- Self-paced
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Location
- Online
- Duration
- Flexible
- Start date
- January, September
Programme overview
Sustainability is central to tackling climate change and achieving Net Zero, driving industries worldwide to develop decarbonisation strategies and set ambitious targets. This programme focuses on how the malting, brewing, distilling, and allied industries can assess current practices and develop practical, balanced roadmaps to sustainability across technological, environmental, economic, and social factors.
You will gain a strong foundation in sustainability concepts and their application within the alcoholic beverages sector, encompassing raw material selection to production processes, and industry-wide impacts. The programme also develops your ability to measure and evaluate sustainability performance, alongside understanding key policy and regulatory frameworks.
As the global drinks industry faces increasing environmental pressures, rising costs, and shifting consumer expectations, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals. Graduates of this MSc will be equipped to support businesses in meeting sustainability targets and driving the transition toward a low-carbon, Net Zero future.
110+ years
Brewing and distilling have been taught and researched at Heriot-Watt since 1903.
Global
Study with a global leader. Home to the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling, with worldwide industry recognition.
Flexible
Designed for working professionals, we offer flexible online study that fits around your shifts, family life and career.
Throughout the MSc Advanced Sustainability for Brewing and Distilling, you will:
- Demonstrate a core understanding of key sustainability concepts and criteria, and explain their relevance to the industrial production of alcoholic beverages
- Communicate decarbonisation strategies effectively to a range of stakeholders, including the public, industry professionals, and policymakers
- Categorise opportunities and risks associated with implementing sustainable practices across materials, manufacturing, processes, and the wider industry
- Assess the feasibility of improving sustainability in businesses or processes using case studies, regulations, and policy frameworks
- Generate practical ideas and innovative concepts to support the transition of industrial processes toward a reduced carbon footprint
Start with just one course
We’ve made it simpler than ever for you to start your MSc. You only need to pay for and then pass your first course to join the programme. No barriers. Get started today.
Apply NowStudent experience
Heriot-Watt University has been researching and teaching brewing and distilling since 1903. In 1990 we founded the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling to meet the needs of the global malting, brewing and distilling industries.
The MSc Advanced Sustainability for Brewing and Distilling is led by Dr Nathan Skillen, an expert in sustainability with a background in both Biosciences and Chemical Engineering. Nathan has significant experience in running programmes in Net Zero Engineering, and has held a fellowship with the UKRI Supergen Bioenergy Hub, ensuring the programme is grounded in current practice and innovation
Course content
The Advanced Sustainability for Brewing and Distilling comprises eight taught courses and a research dissertation, combining scientific depth with practical industry application. The programme is designed to be studied online at your own pace, typically over three years, with two entry points – January and September. Each course requires around 150 hours of study.
Core courses
- Principles of Sustainability Criteria
- Raw Materials Sustainability for Brewing and Distilling
- Research and Professional Practice
- MSc Research Project in Bioscience
- Beverage Process Sustainability
- Beverage Industry Sustainability
Optional courses
- Economics of Renewable Energy
- Carbon Solutions
- Process Intensification
- Future Foods
- Management in the Food and Beverage Industries
Dissertation
The MSc Project course is an opportunity to cover a sustainability topic of interest to you, and can include a deep literature review, surveys, or data analysis, or a combination of research methods. The course typically takes 600 hours to complete.
Graduate in Edinburgh, Dubai or Malaysia
All online degree graduates are also invited to attend their ceremony at one of our international campuses – in Edinburgh, Dubai or Malaysia – making your achievement a truly global celebration.
Learn more
Our teaching faculty
Fees and funding
The MSc Brewing and Distilling is offered on a pay-per-course basis, giving you flexibility to spread the cost of your studies.
| Course fee | Dissertation Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|
| £1,215 | £2,595 | £12,315 |
The tuition fees listed are applicable for 2026/2027.
Funding opportunities
Pay Per Course
All our programmes offer the flexibility to pay course-by-course, allowing you to spread the cost of your tuition over the lifetime of your studies.
20% Alumni Discount
If you are a Heriot-Watt alumnus, you qualify for 20% off your programme fees. For more information on how to claim your alumni discount contact hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk.
Employer Sponsorship
Securing funding from your employer can help with financing your studies. For more information contact b2b@hw.ac.uk
We're here to support you
If you have questions or need help with enrolment, complete our quick enquiry form and an Enrolment Advisor will be in touch.
Contact usEntry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
We welcome applications from both science graduates and experienced industry professionals who want to develop advanced brewing and distilling expertise.
Standard entry requirements
We normally require:
- A good honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant science, engineering, or related discipline, or
- Significant relevant professional experience in brewing, distilling, malting, or related industries.
Additional entry routes
Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
We are committed to providing study opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences and recognise that some students entering our online programme will have completed prior academic study in subjects that align closely to this programme. Where this is the case, students may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
- Applying for RPL: We can only consider requests for RPL at the time of application to a course of study.
- Maximum credits: You may be eligible to be granted exemption for a maximum of 15 credits.
- Eligibility: The qualification may be valid for RPL only if gained with the last 5 years. Evidence will need to be provided.
- Cost breakdown: The overall cost of your programme will be determined by whether you are awarded RPL for a 15-credit course, in which case you will not be required to register for that course. Programme fees can be found under the fees and funding section.
For more information contact hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes and 5th in the UK, which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country. We're also ranked 1st in Scotland for producing CEO and MDs (Novuna Business Cash Flow 2023).
We're Scotland's most international University, with five global campuses and a global community of 60,000 online students and alumni from over 158 countries. Our online programmes are designed and developed by the same faculty who teach on our global campuses - expert academics and leaders in research and innovation who work alongside industry to find solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenge.
Together, we shape your future.
110+ years
Brewing and distilling have been taught and researched at Heriot-Watt since 1903.
Industry
Strong connections with industry - breweries, distilleries and professional bodies worldwide.
Flexible
Learn on demand and online without pausing your career in the drinks industry
Employability
With our flexible model you can earn while you learn, build your CV, and apply new skills right away. Get free access to 500+ industry credentials and dedicated Careers Service support.
Your Online experience
Explore Heriot-Watt Online as a student
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