Frances King Launches Express Barista Course

Frances King is excited to introduce its new Express Barista Course, launching in March 2026, to help students develop practical skills for entry-level jobs in the UK hospitality industry.

The course is principally aimed at students holding a Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) visa, supporting them in developing the language and practical skills needed to secure work in cafés and coffee shops.

While the YMS visa is currently limited to students from Hong Kong, Japan, San Marino, South Korea, Taiwan and Uruguay, it is hoped that eligibility will expand to EU next year.

The Express Barista Course runs over two weeks, with 10 sessions combining classroom-based learning and hands-on practical training using professional coffee machines in the school café. Practical training is delivered across one to two intensive sessions, allowing students to gain real-world experience in a supportive environment.

Classroom lessons cover:

• An introduction to coffee and the barista profession.
• Vocabulary for different types of coffee.
• “Café English”, focusing on speaking and listening skills for customer service settings.
• Making a variety of different types of coffee; operating, cleaning, and maintaining coffee machines; how to foam and texture milk; and coffee art.

The Express Barista Course forms part of a wider range of support services for YMS students at Frances King. These include a Job Club, which helps students find paid employment, professional unpaid internships, and volunteering opportunities with charities.