Our Course
Take control of your professional development with an ICATS/IFEAT Diploma or Certificate. Tailored to your needs, our courses are written by industry and academic experts and are specifically designed to suit those working in the Aroma Trades.
Accredited by IFEAT, your learning is enriched and supported by industry-expert authors, consultants and tutors, leading you to the esteemed IFEAT post-graduate diploma or certificate. Courses are assignment-based so no attendance is needed and there are no exams allowing you to pursue your studies when it suits you. All aspects of the industry are covered with both flavour & fragrance pathways and all you need is provided in the bespoke ICATS study pack. Course modules accompanied by a large set of academic text books.
The ICATS/IFEAT Diploma or Certificate is also endorsed by the British Society of Perfumers, The British Society of Flavourists and the British Flavour Association and a substantial fee discount is available for IFEAT, BSP and BSF Members.

“The course gave me the compulsion to gain a better awareness of parts of the business I had not encountered as well as more depth to the understanding I was accumulating at work.”
- Darrell Wilson, Fragrance Oils UK, 2019 ICATS IFEAT Best Student
Course Options
Flavour and Fragrance Options
The full diploma course is divided into 13 individual units which have different unit weightings and together form a comprehensive MBA-style postgraduate specialised course specifically for the Aroma Trades. Units 3 - 7 cover specific technical aspects of the Aroma Trades with either Fragrance or Flavour pathways available for Units 4 and 5.
Continuing Professional Development
If you do not need to take the full ICATS programme you can select to study any units from 1-11 individually or in combination to gain an ICATS Certificate or Advanced Certificate depending on how many units you take. The CPD learning pack includes the relevant ICATS module workbook(s), set study textbooks and tutorial support. Each module (except unit 2) has a tutor-marked written assessment.
Entry Requirements
Most entrants possess an honours degree or a professional qualification. This need not be technical or scientific as the foundation unit provides the necessary underpinning for non-specialists. If you work in the industry but don’t have a first degree or equivalent you can still take the course if you have suitable experience. In this case, please contact us with your CV and a supporting statement from a senior professional in your sponsoring organisation (e.g. Training Manager, Laboratory Manager etc.).
Course Benefits
Flexible Learning at a distance
Studying with ICATS gives you ultimate learning flexibility. With no assignment hand-in dates or fixed exam at the end of the year, you’re free to work through your course modules at your own pace.
Tutor Support
As an ICATS student, you’ll have the support of a tutor. Experts in their subjects, your tutor will guide you throughout your studies, giving you advice and research approaches for your final dissertation.
Units
Global Units
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Unit 1
Foundation Science and Mathematics for the Aroma Trades
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Unit 2
Sensory Studies and Odour Taste Language
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Unit 3
Aroma Materials of Natural and Synthetic Origin
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Unit 6
Safety, Regulatory and Environmental Issues in the Aroma Trades
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Unit 7
Operations, Logistics and Quality Assurance in the Aroma Trades
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Unit 8
Business Environment and Marketing in the Aroma Trades
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Unit 9
New Product Development in the Aroma Trades
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Unit 10
Project Management and the Briefing Process
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Unit 11
Financial and Management Issues in the Aroma Trades
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Unit 12
Research Methods and Dissertation Proposal
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Unit 13
Dissertation
Flavour Pathway
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Unit 4
Flavour Creation and Evaluation
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Unit 5
Application of Flavouring Materials in Flavoured Products