Cottle Coffee Academy · SCA Roasting

Choose the SCA Roasting level that matches where you are now.

From a structured first credential to Professional-level assessment, choose the standalone SCA Roasting course that fits your experience, responsibilities and next goal. Taught and assessed directly with Tristan Creswick in Greater Kuala Lumpur.

Foundation from MYR1,890

Four standalone enrolment options · Petaling Jaya, Greater Kuala Lumpur

Led directly by Tristan Creswick27 years of Australian coffee-industry experience · Founder, World Espresso Championship.

Find my SCA Roasting level Ask Tristan which level fits
3 Three credential levels Foundation, Intermediate and Professional.
4 Four ways to enrol Including the Foundation + Intermediate Bundle.
MYR1,890 Starting credential SCA Roasting Foundation. No prerequisite.
PJ Petaling Jaya Taught and assessed at Cottle Coffee Academy.

SCA roasting · Specialty Coffee Association

One pathway. Three credential levels. Four ways to enrol.

Official roasting education, taught and assessed with practical context—not sold as a shortcut to mastery.

  1. Starting credential

    Foundation

    The structured first credential. No prerequisite.

  2. Separate level

    Intermediate

    Does not require Foundation. Ready when you have relevant roasting understanding or experience.

  3. Planned pathway

    Foundation + Intermediate Bundle

    Combines the first two levels. It is not a fourth SCA qualification.

  4. Requires Intermediate

    Professional

    SCA Roasting Intermediate is required before Professional.

Level chooser

Start with your current experience—not the highest course title.

This is a likely-fit guide only. It does not determine formal eligibility. All four offers remain visible below whether or not you use it.

Have you completed SCA Roasting Intermediate?
Are you new to roasting or seeking a structured first credential?
Do you already understand roasting fundamentals and have relevant experience?
Do you want Foundation and Intermediate as one planned pathway?

Not sure? Ask Tristan. He will recommend the right starting level—not simply the most expensive course.

Ask Tristan which level fits

Standalone SCA enrolment

Four buying decisions. Three credential levels.

Choose the official SCA Roasting course that fits now. Requirements must still be completed for any certificate to be awarded.

Starting credential

SCA Roasting Foundation

MYR1,890

Best for. A new roaster, or anyone seeking a structured introduction and the official Foundation credential.

Entry requirement. No prerequisite.

Investment. MYR1,890.

Ask about SCA Foundation See the Foundation page

Independent level

SCA Roasting Intermediate

MYR3,590

Best for. A learner with relevant roasting understanding or experience who is ready for Intermediate-level learning and assessment.

Entry requirement. SCA Foundation is not required.

Investment. MYR3,590.

Check my Intermediate fit See the Intermediate page

Planned two-level pathway

Foundation + Intermediate Bundle

MYR4,890

Best for. Someone who wants both levels as one planned pathway, beginning with Foundation and progressing to Intermediate.

Entry requirement. Begins with Foundation. Both credentials still require the applicable course requirements to be completed.

Investment. MYR4,890. Purchased separately: MYR5,480. You save MYR590.

Ask about the Foundation + Intermediate pathway

Requires Intermediate

SCA Roasting Professional

MYR5,990

Best for. An experienced roaster pursuing Professional-level learning and assessment—not a beginner-to-professional shortcut.

Entry requirement. SCA Roasting Intermediate is required.

Investment. MYR5,990.

Check my Professional eligibility See the Professional page

Compare enrolment options

See the difference before you enquire.

Standalone SCA Roasting enrolment comparison
Level / pathway Best suited to Prerequisite Price Primary next action
Level / pathwaySCA Roasting Foundation Best suited toStructured first credential PrerequisiteNone PriceMYR1,890 Primary next actionAsk about SCA Foundation
Level / pathwaySCA Roasting Intermediate Best suited toRelevant roasting understanding or experience PrerequisiteFoundation is not required PriceMYR3,590 Primary next actionCheck Intermediate fit
Level / pathwayFoundation + Intermediate Bundle Best suited toA planned two-level pathway PrerequisiteBegins with Foundation PriceMYR4,890 · save MYR590 Primary next actionAsk about the pathway
Level / pathwaySCA Roasting Professional Best suited toExperienced roaster seeking Professional-level assessment PrerequisiteSCA Roasting Intermediate required PriceMYR5,990 Primary next actionCheck Professional eligibility

Learning and assessment

Know what happens before you enrol.

The relevant journey may include an applicable online course, a downloadable PDF reference guide, practical learning and assessment, an online written examination completed in your own time, and the applicable official SCA certificate after requirements are met. Exact components can vary by level.

  1. Confirm the level

    Establish the appropriate SCA Roasting level and eligibility with Tristan.

  2. Prepare

    Complete the applicable learning preparation for that level.

  3. Train and assess in person

    Attend the verified physical training and practical assessment at Cottle Coffee Academy.

  4. Sit the written exam

    Complete the applicable online written examination in your own time.

  5. Receive the certificate

    The official SCA certificate is issued after all applicable requirements are met. Completion is not automatic and passing is not guaranteed.

Learn and assess directly with Tristan

A recognised pathway. One experienced trainer accountable for helping you choose it well.

Tristan Creswick · Academy Director & Founder

Tell Tristan what you have roasted, what responsibility you hold and why the credential matters. He will recommend the correct starting level—not simply the most expensive course.

  • 27 years of Australian coffee-industry experience.
  • Founder, World Espresso Championship.
  • Leads Cottle Coffee Academy’s roasting programs.
  • Tristan teaches and assesses the standalone SCA Roasting levels.

Tristan is the founder of the World Espresso Championship, an international competition built around controlled conditions and blind comparison. At Cottle Coffee Academy, that same commitment to disciplined evaluation, practical context and honest feedback informs how learners are guided through roasting education.

Explore the World Espresso Championship

Explore the Malaysian Espresso Championship

Certification, practice or both?

Choose the outcome you actually need.

Standalone SCA certification

Official credential and defined assessment

For a learner whose immediate goal is the official SCA Roasting credential and its structured education and assessment pathway—without joining Cottle’s rolling Sunday development pathway.

Choose an SCA level

Cottle practical development

Repeated coached roast cycles

For a learner who needs repeated coached roasting, finished-beverage-led evaluation and deeper practical judgement over four or ten rolling Sundays.

Explore practical roasting programs

Practical development + SCA

Both, selected at original enrolment

For a learner who wants the longer practical pathway and the corresponding SCA credential, selected together at original enrolment. The reduced enhancement cannot be added later at the same price. Professional enhancement still requires SCA Roasting Intermediate.

Ask about a combined route

Optional enhancements on practical programs

These reduced prices apply only when selected with the original practical-program enrolment. They are not standalone SCA course prices.

  • Two-Day Coffee Roasting Fundamentals + SCA Roasting Foundation MYR400 · combined MYR2,890
  • Four-Week Roast Development Program + SCA Roasting Intermediate MYR950 · combined MYR5,440
  • Ten-Week Professional Roaster Mentorship + SCA Roasting Professional MYR995 · combined MYR11,895

Practical information

Cottle Coffee Academy, Petaling Jaya.

Academy
Cottle Coffee Academy, Petaling Jaya, Greater Kuala Lumpur.
Teaching and assessment
Tristan Creswick teaches and assesses the standalone SCA Roasting levels.
Eligibility
Course-level eligibility varies. Foundation has no prerequisite. Intermediate does not require Foundation. Professional requires SCA Roasting Intermediate.
Dates
Dates are confirmed through WhatsApp while public cohorts remain unconfirmed. Do not assume every level runs on the same dates.
Format
Online and physical components vary by level. Confirm the applicable journey when you enquire.
Enrolment
Ask Tristan which level fits. Direct checkout is not offered on this page.

Questions

Clear answers before you choose a level.

Which SCA Roasting level should I start with?

Start from your current experience and the credential you actually need. New roasters usually begin with Foundation. Someone with relevant roasting understanding may be ready for Intermediate without Foundation. Professional is only for candidates who have completed SCA Roasting Intermediate. If you are unsure, ask Tristan to recommend a starting level.

Do I need Foundation before Intermediate?

No. SCA Foundation is not required before SCA Roasting Intermediate.

What is included in the Foundation + Intermediate Bundle?

The Bundle is a planned two-level pathway beginning with Foundation and progressing to Intermediate at MYR4,890. Both credentials still require the applicable learning and assessment requirements to be completed. It is not a fourth SCA qualification and does not award certificates automatically.

How much does the Bundle save?

Foundation standalone is MYR1,890 and Intermediate standalone is MYR3,590, a separate total of MYR5,480. The Bundle is MYR4,890, so you save MYR590.

What do I need before Professional?

SCA Roasting Intermediate is required before SCA Roasting Professional. If you are unsure whether a prior credential qualifies, ask Tristan for an individual eligibility assessment.

Are these official SCA certificates?

Yes. These are standalone SCA Roasting courses taught and assessed through Cottle Coffee Academy. The official SCA certificate is issued after all applicable requirements for that level are met.

Are the courses online or in person?

The relevant journey may include an applicable online course, a downloadable PDF reference guide, physical training and practical assessment in Petaling Jaya, and an online written examination completed in your own time. Exact components vary by level and are confirmed when you enquire.

Who teaches and assesses the courses?

Tristan Creswick teaches and assesses the standalone SCA Roasting levels at Cottle Coffee Academy in Petaling Jaya, Greater Kuala Lumpur.

Does completing an SCA course make me a professional roaster?

No. An official SCA credential recognises that you have met that level’s education and assessment requirements. It does not by itself create professional roasting mastery, employment or commercial competence. Practical judgement still depends on experience, practice and continued work.

What is the difference between standalone SCA and Cottle’s practical roasting pathway?

Standalone SCA courses are for a recognised credential and its defined education and assessment pathway. Cottle’s practical pathway is repeated coached roasting, finished-beverage-led evaluation and development of judgement over rolling Sundays. They solve different needs and can be combined when the corresponding SCA enhancement is selected at original practical-program enrolment.

Can I add a reduced SCA enhancement after enrolling in a practical program?

No. The reduced enhancement price is available only when selected with the original practical-program enrolment. It cannot be added later at the same price.

When is the next course?

Public cohort dates are not published here. Ask Tristan on WhatsApp to confirm the next suitable availability for the level that fits.

Choose the level that fits now

Choose the level that fits now. Build from there.

Tell Tristan what roasting experience you have, whether you already hold an SCA credential and what you need the next level to help you do.

Ask Tristan which level fits Compare all SCA Roasting options