Program Overview

PROFESSIONAL COOKERY

Level 2, Level 3 Diploma

Course Level

Level 2, Level 3

Duration

1 year full-time per level

Placement

Included in course

Entry

September

Fees

View Fees

Overview

The Professional Cookery college course will give you the practical skills and knowledge for a range of careers in the catering and foodservice industries. University College Birmingham is internationally renowned for our chef training and catering courses, with an experienced team of expert chef lecturers and excellent professional kitchen facilities for you to hone your culinary skills.

Why choose this college course?

• PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Our course is all about learning by doing, getting you straight into the kitchen to develop your cookery skills
• WORK PLACEMENT – Give your CV a huge boost by gaining real-life work experience in the food industry during your course
• EXCELLENT FACILITIES – Our industry-standard kitchen and restaurant facilities on campus will help boost your confidence working in the food and hospitality environment
• MOVE UP TO UNIVERSITY – Want to continue your learning journey after college? Progress your culinary training to degree level on our wide range of university food courses

Course breakdown

Topics you will study

• Basic fish, meat, poultry and vegetable dishes
• Bread and dough products, soups and basic hot sauces
• Food safety
• Patisserie and fermented products
• Desserts, petits fours and decorative products

Entry requirements

Professional Cookery Level 1

• Academic requirements: Entry Level 3 in English (Language or Literature) and maths are desirable for entrance. Admissions will be administered on an individual application basis.
• Guaranteed progression option: Students who achieve Level 1 Professional Cookery and receive approval from the University College Birmingham teaching team will be permitted to progress onto Level 2 Professional Cookery.

Professional Cookery Level 2

• Academic requirements: 4 GCSEs at grade 3/D or above, or equivalent.
• Supporting documents required: School applicants will be required to provide a good school report, which must include attendance. This will be assessed in conjunction with your qualifications and application during the confirmation of your place at University College Birmingham.
• Guaranteed progression option: Students who achieve Level 2 Professional Cookery and receive approval from the University College Birmingham teaching team will be permitted to progress onto Level 3 Professional Cookery.

Professional Cookery Level 3

• Academic requirements: A relevant Level 2 qualification in Professional Cookery or Chef, GCSE English (Language or Literature) and maths at grade 4/C are desirable for entrance but not essential.
• Work experience admissions pathway: 2 years’ relevant chef industry experience. Admissions will be based on your interview performance alongside a reference stating the roles and responsibilities held during your period of employment.
• Supporting documents required: School applicants will be required to provide a good school report, which must include attendance. This will be assessed in conjunction with your qualifications and application during the confirmation of your place at University College Birmingham.
• Guaranteed progression option: Students who achieve Level 3 Professional Cookery will be automatically guaranteed an offer for Culinary Arts Management FdA and Professional Chef FdA. Student who wish to study other degree courses at University College Birmingham will need to contact for further advice and guidance on suitability.

Key information

Teaching and assessment

There are regular practical tests to make sure you are on course. Theory is mainly assessed through assignments and short answer questions and recorded in your electronic portfolio.

Uniform and kit costs

This course requires a uniform and kit costing approximately £250, depending on the items you purchase. (Prices are subject to change each year – exact costs and information on how to order required items will be provided to you prior to enrolment.)

Career opportunities

• Sous chef: Average salary: £30,000 - £40,000
• Head chef: Average salary: £35,000 - £50,000
• Catering manager: Average salary: £22,000 - £45,000
• Pastry chef: Average Salary: £21,682
• Food business owner/restaurateur: Variable
• Product development chef: Average salary: £25,000 - £40,000

Work placements

Work placements offer a wealth of benefits alongside your studies, helping you put your learning into practice, develop your skills and understanding of the workplace, boost your CV for your chosen career or enhance your UCAS application for higher education. Our Hired employability team can help find the ideal placement for you.

Students on our college cookery courses have opportunities for placements in hotels, restaurants, conference centres, cafes, food manufacturers, patisserie outlets and even hospitals. Placements can last from 70 – 350 hours depending on the level of study, with many of our past students subsequently being offered part-time jobs.

Work alongside experts in your sector

A snapshot of some of the employers we have worked with:

• The Belfry (Sutton Coldfield)
• Simpsons Restaurant (Birmingham)
• Malmaison (Birmingham)
• Anderson's Bar and Grill (Birmingham)
• Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel and Country Club (Warwickshire)