Bachelor of Culinary Arts

About the programme

Got a passion for food and cooking, a curious mind and a desire to create unforgettable food experiences?

The only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere, this programme is designed to help you become an industry leader in the food world by empowering you to follow your passions.

You will cultivate applied technical and creative thinking skills, including specialised culinary techniques within your area of interest, and ways to develop new and innovative offerings to give yourself a competitive edge. 

Through hands-on projects with local employers and businesses, you will develop real-world skills and apply your creative and technical knowledge in everyday situations. Small class sizes guarantee you'll receive individual attention and guidance from our award-winning teaching staff.

What will I need to apply?

No prior culinary knowledge is required to enter this degree - all you need is a passion for food!

There are academic entry requirements to get into this programme (see the 'Entry' tab below), and you'll need to provide a CV and a 500-word letter.

However, if you don't meet these requirements or need help preparing your application, contact Chloe Humphreys for a chat via [email protected] or +64 03 479 6089. 

Already working in the food industry?

1. Assessment of Prior Learning (APL)

We offer a work-based, distance programme for individuals with relevant industry experience. Through our APL process, we can measure your existing knowledge and skills against the Bachelor of Culinary Arts graduate profile and grant you academic credit towards this degree. For any gaps in your learning, we can design project work to help you complete your degree.

Find out more >

2. Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

We also offer a WIL pathway for those who want to gain new skills and knowledge without leaving their workplace. This pathway includes customised projects integrated with your workplace to help you gain new skills and advance your career. Through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Advanced Standing processes, you may also qualify to advance into the second or third year of the degree, allowing you to further your education while remaining employed.

This pathway provides the benefits of career advancement, flexibility, and tailored projects that align with your career aspirations and workplace needs.

While the degree normally takes three years to complete on campus, through APL and/or WIL you can stay in work, continue to earn, and complete your degree faster.

Find out more >

Entry

Entry requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum entry criteria and submit a CV and letter of application that satisfies the requirements of the admissions committee.

Minimum academic entry criteria

NCEA Level 3:

• 80 credits made up of:
  • 60 credits at Level 3, and
  • Minimum of 10 Literacy or Te Reo Matatini credits (Literacy unit standards 32403 and 32405, or Te Reo Matatini unit standards 32413 (Te Reo Torohū) and 32415 (Te Reo Whakaputa), or assessment standards - specified achievement and unit standards available through a range of subjects), and
  • Minimum of 10 Numeracy or Te Pāngarau credits (Numeracy unit standard 32406), or Te Pāngarau unit standard 32412), or assessment standards – specified achievement and unit standards available through a range of subjects).

Additional requirements

• A CV detailing qualifications/academic record, interests and hobbies, positions of responsibility (both in and out of school) and details of work experience (either paid or voluntary).
• A letter of application, of no more than 500 words, explaining your reasons for application to the BCA, expectations of the programme, career goals in this field and the steps already taken to progress those career goals.

If you do not hold NCEA Level 3, you must demonstrate equivalent qualifications/experience through your CV and letter of application and will have to undertake an interview.

Provisional entry

If you are a school leaver or adult applicant, you may be given provisional entry. You'll need to demonstrate a strong motivation and desire to achieve in the food industry and established personal or professional interest in food indicating you are capable of degree-level learning.

International learners will be individually assessed to ensure you meet degree-level entry requirements.

Applicants for whom English is not a first language must also demonstrate English language skills equivalent to an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 6.0, with no band score lower than 5.5.

Contact Chloe Humphreys for more info about provisional entry by emailing [email protected] or phoning or +64 03 479 6089. 

Selection criteria

Eligible applicants will be selected using a range of identified criteria.

Should the number of applicants who meet the selection process requirements exceed the available places, the professional judgement of kaiako will be used to determine those given immediate entry and those placed on a waiting list.

Applicants who do not meet the entry criteria will be directed to a path of study to prepare them for application the following year.

Recognition of prior learning

If you have already earned relevant qualifications or gained experience in the food industry, you may be eligible for 'Advanced Standing' entry to the BCA.

Find out more.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must provide: 

• New Zealand University Entrance, or
• Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.5 (achieved in one test completed in the past two years), or
• Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see the NZQA website for a proficiency table and see our English language requirements page for a list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.