We are delighted to announce that we have expanded and enhanced our membership benefits to reflect your feedback about what you wanted your membership of the CIBD should look like. We value your feedback and comments and are committed to build a strong and global community that leads and supports a thriving drinks industry.
What has changed about the CIBD membership?
Supporting you as you study and work towards your career goals
New Online Student Membership for £30
You told us that affordability, community, and lifelong learning are important to you. We listened, and we’re delighted to introduce a new Online Student Membership category.
Priced at £30 per year, this membership has been designed to make joining the CIBD more accessible for our qualification candidates and for students pursuing relevant university degrees around the world. The Online Student Membership will be available from 29th October 2025.
Our goal is to give you the best possible support and provide a community that champions your potential. As an Online Student Member, you’ll enjoy:
- Online access to all the latest news from Brewer and Distiller International (BDI)
- Access to recordings and presentations from CIBD conferences and technical events
- Free or discounted entry to CIBD events
- Discounts on short courses to help you continue your professional development
Find out more about Online Student Membership and become a part of a thriving community of brewers, distillers and allied professionals today!
Powering up your potential
Diploma and Membership
From 29th October, to study for the CIBD Diploma, you must be a member of CIBD, the professional body that sets the technical education standards for the brewing, distilling and allied profession. CIBD membership provides access to many benefits that are important as you prepare and sit for your exam, particularly at Diploma level, including range of free or low cost CPD information from conference presentations and section events, networking opportunities, latest news and analysis in the BDI magazine and more. In addition, our online student membership provides a low cost way to become a member during qualification studying. CIBD members are required to abide by the Institute’s Code of Professional Conduct and undertake continuing professional development to ensure the highest levels of professional standards.
If you're thinking about registering for the Diploma
From today, 29th October 2025, CIBD membership is required for all candidates booking the Diploma qualification.
When registering, candidates can choose from the following membership options:
-
CIBD Student Member - £50
-
CIBD Member - £150 (£155 from 2026 onwards)
This membership requirement applies to all candidates who book their Diploma from today onwards.
If you have already registered for the Diploma
If you registered for the Diploma before 29th October 2025, you are not required to hold membership to sit your 2026 exam. The change to compulsory membership for the Diploma was voted in during the 2025 AGM in September, and does not affect your booking.
We wish all Diploma candidates every success in their upcoming exams.
Take your learning to your work
Extended Access to Diploma and General Certificate Learning Materials
You told us that you’d like continued access to your learning materials after completing your exam. We understand how valuable this can be as you apply the knowledge gained through your General Certificate or Diploma to practice.
From now on, Diploma and General Certificate candidates who are members of the CIBD will receive three years of access to their learning materials - an increase from the current 90 days.
This benefit applies to anyone who has been a CIBD candidate since 2020 providing they are members.
If you completed your qualification since 2020 and would like access to your learning materials but don’t currently hold membership, simply renew your membership, and we’ll organise the rest for you.
Another great benefit of this change is that you’ll have access to the most up-to-date learning materials. Each year, our content is reviewed and refreshed to reflect the latest developments in the industry. Maintaining access to your learning materials is therefore an excellent way to support your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) - at no additional cost, beyond your annual membership fee.
Continue your learning
Members' Pricing for Short Courses and More
You told us that you wanted more digestible educational content and that Continuing Professional Development (CPD) should be a core part of your membership.
We’re delighted to announce that CIBD members now receive a discount on all Short Courses and on Set For Success, our General Certificate (in Brewing or Distilling) exam preparation programme.
Our Short Courses cover a wide range of topics across the brewing and distilling industry and offer on-demand learning in a low-cost, engaging, and interactive format - designed to help you keep learning at your own pace and on your own schedule.
In Summary
We are excited about this changes, and hope this makes your CIBD membership experience more valuable. We will continue to listen to your feedback and act in the interests of our entire community particularly when it comes to our education programmes and member benefits.
Join the community!
Join the CIBD community today. Find out more here.