Composting & Spent Mushroom Substrate
The fungal ecology of composting and practical ways to treat and reuse spent mushroom substrate as a soil amendment and resource.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Composting & Spent Mushroom Substrate
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
Composting is a fungal process as much as a bacterial one, and the mushroom industry generates large volumes of spent substrate that can become either a disposal problem or a resource. This course first explains the microbiology of composting, with particular attention to the fungi active in the thermophilic and maturation phases, and shows how recipes, aeration and moisture control shape compost quality. It then turns to spent mushroom substrate: what it contains, how it differs between mushroom types and how it can be weathered or treated.
Waste regulations, rising input costs and circular economy targets are giving organic residues new value. The course suits growers, compost producers and farm managers looking to close nutrient loops on or around the farm. Practical modules cover spent substrate as a soil amendment, its potential in feed and energy, and the regulations, safety precautions and business models that apply. In the final project, students prepare a reuse plan for a defined stream of compost or spent substrate, including treatment, quality testing and an end market.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in ecology, useful in areas such as composting and organic waste management, mushroom production, agriculture and horticulture, circular economy and rural development.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
The fungal ecology of composting and practical ways to treat and reuse spent mushroom substrate as a soil amendment and resource.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: The Microbiology of Composting; Fungi in Thermophilic and Maturation Phases.
- Put them into practice: Compost Recipes, Monitoring and Quality; What Spent Mushroom Substrate Is.
- Apply everything to a real case: Uses of Spent Substrate in Soils, Feed and Energy; Regulations, Safety and Circular Business Models.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Describe the microbial succession during composting, including fungal roles.
- Design and adjust compost recipes based on carbon and nitrogen balance.
- Monitor compost temperature, moisture and maturity indicators.
- Evaluate spent mushroom substrate for soil, feed or energy uses.
- Identify regulatory and safety requirements for reusing organic residues.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Growers, compost producers and farm managers.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior training is required; practical experience with farming, growing or waste handling is useful.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Compost site operator or manager
- Mushroom farm sustainability coordinator
- Farm manager running on-farm composting
- Adviser on organic residue reuse
- Business developer for circular agri-food projects
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The Microbiology of Composting | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Fungi in Thermophilic and Maturation Phases | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Compost Recipes, Monitoring and Quality | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | What Spent Mushroom Substrate Is | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Uses of Spent Substrate in Soils, Feed and Energy | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Regulations, Safety and Circular Business Models | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Composting stages and the temperature curve
- Bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi
- Balancing carbon and nitrogen
- Thermotolerant fungi and lignocellulose
- Curing and maturation
- Indicators of compost stability
- Designing feedstock mixes
- Monitoring temperature, moisture and oxygen
- Quality testing and standards
- Substrate composition by mushroom type
- Nutrient and salt content
- Weathering and post-harvest treatment
- Soil amendment and growing media
- Animal feed potential and limits
- Bioenergy and other uses
- Waste and fertiliser regulations
- Handling, hygiene and pathogen control
- Circular business models and partnerships
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A treatment and reuse plan for a defined stream of compost or spent mushroom substrate.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Assessment combines participation in live sessions, practical exercises such as recipe calculations and a final reuse plan reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Ecology school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Composting & Spent Mushroom Substrate?
No prior training is required; practical experience with farming, growing or waste handling is useful.
How is Composting & Spent Mushroom Substrate taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Assessment combines participation in live sessions, practical exercises such as recipe calculations and a final reuse plan reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A treatment and reuse plan for a defined stream of compost or spent mushroom substrate.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Composting & Spent Mushroom Substrate?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mycorrhizal Agriculture.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Keep branching.
From our species guide.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).