Barista Essentials

This course will give you the technical skills required to operate a commercial espresso machine and produce espresso and espresso-based beverages.

You’ll learn from passionate, experienced tutors in our specialised barista training room, gain coffee knowledge and become familiar with the espresso extraction process, steaming milk and milk pouring.

This course is comprised of practical, hands-on learning and an online theory component. The practical component consists of six, three-hour sessions at the Ara City campus. You have the option of enrolling in evening sessions (twice a week for three weeks) or an intensive course over three consecutive days.

We recommend undertaking the online, theory components prior to starting your course (requires access to a computer and the internet). This will ensure you’re well prepared for the practical sessions. To pass the course, the minimum requirement of competency in all seven learning modules is 80%. You can start your online theory component up to three weeks prior to the first practical session and you’ll have access for 85 days after the course completion date.

Participants on this course will gain Ara tertiary credits. If you’re a secondary school student and interested in NCEA credits, please email the engagement team for more information: engagement@ara.ac.nz

Information
Course Code	TSBT310
Level	3
Credits	12
Estimated Time	4 Weeks
Fees 2025	$474

Please note: You will be charged an associated external fee (if applicable) plus a portion of the compulsory Student Services Levy that supports our services available to students. For full information on the compulsory Student Services Levy, visit fees and finance.

How to Apply

If there is a "View Dates & Apply" button near the top right hand of this page:

1. click on the button
2. select the relevant course option
3. click "apply"
4. fill in the online form and click "submit"

If there is no "View Dates & Apply" button near the top right hand of this page:

1. print out and fill in this form
2. scan it and email it to Enrolment Team OR drop it in to an Ara campus OR post it to Ara Institute of Canterbury, PO Box 540, Christchurch Mail Centre