Diploma in Engineered Living Materials
From mycelium composites to living, functional materials: growth, characterisation, engineering and the path to real-world use.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Diploma in Engineered Living Materials
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Diploma
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Computing, Bioelectronics & Space Mycology. 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)
- 6 months (24 weeks) · 192 hours in total · 8 modules of 24 hours · 24 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 25 June 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 12 April 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This diploma takes you from established mycelium composites to the emerging field of living, functional materials. You study fungal biology relevant to materials, grow composites and pure mycelium materials, and learn characterisation and standard testing. The programme then compares living and inactivated materials, explores genetic and process engineering of function, and examines hybrid living materials with bacteria or algae, before addressing scale-up, regulation and life cycle assessment.
Mycelium materials already reach the market in packaging and interiors, while engineered living materials remain mostly in research labs. Professionals who understand both, and the path between them, are in demand in design studios and start-ups. The programme suits materials scientists, architects and biodesigners. The final studio project brings everything together: you develop a material for a defined application, grow and test samples, present characterisation data, and assess regulatory, environmental and scale-up implications in a structured design report.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in fungal computing, useful in areas such as bio-based materials, architecture and interiors, packaging and consumer products, biomaterials research.
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:
From mycelium composites to living, functional materials: growth, characterisation, engineering and the path to real-world use.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Fungal biology for materials; Mycelium composites and pure mycelium materials; Characterisation and standard testing.
- Put them into practice: Living versus inactivated materials; Genetic and process engineering of function; Hybrid living materials with other organisms.
- Apply everything to a real case: Scale-up, regulation and life cycle assessment; Studio project.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Grow mycelium composites and pure mycelium materials reproducibly.
- Characterise materials using standard mechanical and thermal tests.
- Decide when a material should remain living or be inactivated.
- Engineer material function through strain and process choices.
- Assess scale-up, regulation and life cycle impact of a material.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Materials scientists, architects and biodesigners.
4.2Entry requirements
Some basics in biology, materials or design are expected; access to space for growing samples is recommended.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Materials developer at a mycelium company
- Biodesigner in an architecture or design studio
- Research assistant in engineered living materials
- Production and quality lead in bio-based manufacturing
- Sustainability and life cycle analyst
- Founder of a bio-based materials venture
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Fungal biology for materials | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 02 | Mycelium composites and pure mycelium materials | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 03 | Characterisation and standard testing | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 04 | Living versus inactivated materials | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 05 | Genetic and process engineering of function | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 06 | Hybrid living materials with other organisms | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 07 | Scale-up, regulation and life cycle assessment | Application & project | 3 | 24 |
| 08 | Studio project | Application & project | 3 | 24 |
| Total | 192 |
8 modules × 24 hours = 192 hours: 48 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.
- Hyphal growth and colony structure
- Species selection for materials
- Substrate and nutrition
- Composite growth processes
- Pure mycelium leather and foams
- Post-processing and finishing
- Mechanical testing standards
- Thermal, acoustic and fire testing
- Microscopy and density analysis
- Why keep a material alive
- Inactivation methods
- Comparing performance and risk
- Strain selection and improvement
- Process control of properties
- Genetically adding functions
- Fungal–bacterial consortia
- Algae and photosynthetic partners
- Designing stable co-cultures
- From lab to pilot production
- Regulatory routes for materials
- Life cycle assessment basics
- Defining the brief
- Growing and testing samples
- Design report and presentation
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 studio project developing, growing and testing a mycelium-based material for a defined application.
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 8 hours a week for 24 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
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, practical exercises in each module and a studio project 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 Fungal Computing 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
Diploma Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Diploma 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).
- A short CV or a description of your experience in the field.
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: £1,120
- Full payment before the start: £896 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£448) and 6 monthly instalments of £112.
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 Diploma in Engineered Living Materials?
Some basics in biology, materials or design are expected; access to space for growing samples is recommended.
How is Diploma in Engineered Living Materials taught?
Live online, in 8 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, practical exercises in each module and a studio project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A studio project developing, growing and testing a mycelium-based material for a defined application.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Diploma 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 Diploma in Engineered Living Materials?
The natural next step is Master in Fungal Bioelectronics and Computing.
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.
Keep branching.
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).