Field Identification of Macrofungi
A systematic approach to identifying mushrooms and other macrofungi in the field using macroscopic features, habitat and keys.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Field Identification of Macrofungi
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mycology & Fungal Science. 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
Field Identification of Macrofungi teaches a systematic method for identifying mushrooms and other large fungi in the field. You will learn the precise terminology used to describe caps, gills, stems and flesh, how to take spore prints, and how smell, safe taste tests and simple chemical reactions narrow down possibilities. The course then works through the main gilled families and genera, followed by boletes, polypores, chanterelles, cup fungi, puffballs and other forms, always linking features with habitat and substrate.
Smartphone apps have made identification feel easy, but they often fail with difficult groups and can be dangerously wrong. This course builds the observation skills and critical thinking that apps cannot replace. It suits foragers, naturalists and beginning mycologists who want to name fungi confidently and know when they cannot. Great emphasis is placed on dangerous look-alikes and on never eating a fungus without certain identification. For the final project you will compile a documented field record of at least ten collections, each with a description, photographs and a reasoned identification through a key.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in fungal science, useful in areas such as nature tourism and outdoor education, biological recording, ecological consultancy, conservation and land management.
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:
A systematic approach to identifying mushrooms and other macrofungi in the field using macroscopic features, habitat and keys.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Macroscopic Characters and Terminology; Spore Prints, Smell, Taste Tests and Chemical Reactions.
- Put them into practice: Gilled Mushrooms: Key Families and Genera; Boletes, Polypores, Chanterelles and Allies.
- Apply everything to a real case: Cup Fungi, Puffballs and Other Forms; Using Keys and Avoiding Dangerous Look-alikes.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Describe macrofungi accurately using standard morphological terminology.
- Take spore prints and use smell, taste and chemical tests safely.
- Recognise the main families and genera of macrofungi in the field.
- Work through dichotomous keys and justify an identification.
- Identify deadly species and distinguish them from edible look-alikes.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Foragers, naturalists and beginning mycologists.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior knowledge is required. Access to woodland or grassland, a hand lens and a camera or smartphone are needed for practical exercises.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Foray leader for a mycological society
- Nature guide offering fungus walks
- Field recorder for biodiversity surveys
- Outdoor educator teaching fungal identification
- Ecological survey assistant
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Macroscopic Characters and Terminology | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Spore Prints, Smell, Taste Tests and Chemical Reactions | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Gilled Mushrooms: Key Families and Genera | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Boletes, Polypores, Chanterelles and Allies | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Cup Fungi, Puffballs and Other Forms | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Using Keys and Avoiding Dangerous Look-alikes | 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.
- Cap, gill and stem terminology
- Flesh, colour changes and latex
- Recording habitat and substrate
- Taking and reading spore prints
- Smell and safe taste testing
- Field chemical reagents
- Pale-spored agarics
- Pink- and brown-spored agarics
- Dark-spored agarics
- Boletes and their relatives
- Polypores and bracket fungi
- Chanterelles, tooth fungi and corals
- Cup fungi and morels
- Puffballs and earthstars
- Jelly fungi and other forms
- How dichotomous keys work
- Deadly species and their look-alikes
- Knowing when not to identify
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 documented field record of at least ten collections, each with description, photographs and a keyed identification.
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
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, identification exercises after each module and a final 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 Science 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 Field Identification of Macrofungi?
No prior knowledge is required. Access to woodland or grassland, a hand lens and a camera or smartphone are needed for practical exercises.
How is Field Identification of Macrofungi taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, identification exercises after each module and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A documented field record of at least ten collections, each with description, photographs and a keyed identification.
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 Field Identification of Macrofungi?
The natural next step is Diploma in Applied Mycology.
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.
Fungal ScienceMushroom Microscopy for Beginners: Equipment and TechniquesA microscope opens a hidden world of spores, basidia and cystidia. Here is the equipment you need, the basic techniques and the safety rules for reagents.Read the article 
Fungal ScienceHow to Become a Mycologist: Paths, Skills and CareersFungi are moving from niche to mainstream, in food, materials, medicine and conservation. Here is how people actually build a career working with them.Read the article Keep branching.
From our species guide.
Deadly poisonousDeath capAmanita phalloidesGilled mushrooms
Deadly poisonousDestroying angelAmanita virosaGilled mushrooms
PoisonousFly agaricAmanita muscariaGilled mushrooms
Deadly poisonousFool's mushroomAmanita vernaGilled mushrooms
EdibleGiant puffballCalvatia giganteaPuffballs and earthballs
PoisonousGreen-spored parasolChlorophyllum molybditesGilled mushrooms
PoisonousPanther capAmanita pantherinaGilled mushrooms
PoisonousYellow stainerAgaricus xanthodermusGilled mushroomsJoin 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).