Program Overview

Bakery Level 2 and Level 3

Overview

Our Bakery college course will provide you with the foundation of knowledge and skills to start pursuing your ambitions in the industry. Our Level 2 and Level 3 baking courses put the emphasis on hands-on training, providing you with essential practical skills in bread and confectionery.

Course Details

• Duration: 1 year full-time per level
• Placement: Opportunities available
• Entry: September
• Fees: View Fees
• Department: Department of Birmingham College of Food

Why Choose This College Course?

• PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Our course is all about learning by doing, getting you straight into the kitchen to develop your practical baking skills
• WORK PLACEMENT – Put your training into practice in the real world through the opportunity of a work placement within the industry
• EXCELLENT FACILITIES – Our state-of-the-art bakery facilities on campus will help you hone your skills to an advanced level
• MOVE UP TO UNIVERSITY – Want to continue your learning journey after college? Progress your training to the next level on our bakery degree or other university courses

Course Breakdown

Topics You Will Study

• Confectionery
• Chocolate tempering
• Modelling
• Celebration cakes
• Piping
• Flower making
• Food safety
• High volume manufacture of bread and yeast-based products
• Sugar craft
• Chocolate work
• Designing and developing bakery products
• Planning and evaluating specialist bakery products
• Monitoring quality
• Working with others

Entry Requirements

Bakery 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 Bakery and receive approval from the University College Birmingham teaching team will be permitted to progress onto Level 2 Bakery.

Bakery 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 Bakery and receive approval from the University College Birmingham teaching team will be permitted to progress onto Level 3 Bakery.

Bakery Level 3

• Academic requirements: A relevant Level 2 qualification in Bakery or Baking and Confectionery. 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 baking 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 Bakery will be automatically guaranteed an offer for Bakery and Patisserie Technology FdSc. Students 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

• On the Level 2 course, underpinning knowledge is continually assessed so you will complete practical assessments in the bakeries and a series of questions on the e-learning platform. A Level 2 Food Safety exam is also undertaken.
• For Level 3, you will be required to complete both practical assessments within the bakery settings and written assignments on the e-learning platform. The course is continually assessed to ensure it provides more in-depth knowledge of the bakery industry, skills and ingredients.

Uniform and Kit Costs

• This course requires a uniform and kit costing approximately £300, 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

• Artisan baker: Average Salary: £26,875
• Cake decorator: Average Salary: £18,500
• Quality control (QC) technician (bakery): Average Salary: £20,470
• Food business owner/restaurateur: Variable
• Pastry chef: Average Salary: £21,682
• Chocolatier: Average Salary: £23,500

Meet Your Tutors

• Caroline Dunnell: Senior Lecturer
• Charlotte Thompson: Senior Lecturer
• Christopher Foxall: Lecturer
• Eustaquio Barrera: Bakery Lecturer
• Graham Duckworth: Lecturer
• Jessica Dalton: Lecturer
• Sally Davis: Lecturer
• Wayne Gillam: Lecturer