FdA Professional Culinary Arts

When can you start this course? | UCAS code | Fees | Course length | Entry requirements

Why choose this course?

We're a UK Centre of Vocational Excellence for Catering and Hospitality and we work together with the Swiss Hotel Management School, so you can be sure you'll develop the skills that employers are looking for.
You'll have demonstrations and guest lectures from key industry figures and be kept up to date with what's going on in the industry.
Our high quality teaching and excellent links with industry means that you'll develop the practical and academic skills you'll need to get your career off to a great start.
The course offers you the PASS Leader Scheme - the chance to be mentored by a third year student who has 'been there and done it'

About the course

This course is designed to give you the advanced technical skills and theory you need to pursue a career in culinary arts.
You will develop excellent understanding of the industry, and you'll gain the business awareness, practical skills and creativity that employers are looking for by working on your planning, communication, problem solving, timing, teamwork and people management skills throughout the course.

Your studies will be contextualised within our excellent commercial facilities:

The fine dining restaurant is run by our students, so you'll get hands on experience in contemporary food service. There are many opportunities for additional experiential learning within our commercial facilities in order to develop your skills.

Throughout your course you will develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you'll need in this rapidly changing industry.

Find out more about what subjects and modules you'll be studying...

Your career

After successfully completing this course, you will have developed the skills and management techniques to start your career or go on to the BA (Hons) in Culinary Arts.

What our students say

"I chose Buxton because the Culinary Arts course has lots of practical sessions which are really good for improving our skills, and the University is located in a beautiful and safe place. All the lecturers and staff are very friendly and helpful, and the students are cheerful and funny.

The University's facilities are fantastic. The library has got so many books and you can find information which you want easily. My English has dramatically improved since I came here because of everybody's help in the University. I am much more confident of my English and I am enjoying myself more than first year."
Haruna Sasaki, second year Foundation Professional Culinary Arts.

"Gaining a professional qualification from Derby gave me the confidence I needed when first setting out in the real world of catering."
Alan Hill, award winning Chef Patron at the Devonshire Arms, studied Professional Culinary Arts.

How you're assessed

You'll be assessed by a variety of methods including practical, written and groupwork.

Fieldtrips

You'll get the chance to go on a number of fieldtrips, both locally and abroad, as well as the chance to put your skills into practice at special events.

This year our second year students have enjoyed a trip to the local brewery, learning about the history of beer making, the development processes, and how to run the business.

All students then had the opportunity to go to St. Nazaire in Brittany, and visited a food supplier market in Nantes, had a guided tour of the city, visited chocolatiers, creperies, and vineyards and toured a 5 star hotel.

First year students catered for some Swiss VIP guests, and students from hospitality, catering, and culinary arts courses all worked together to plan and host an end of year fundraising event, raising £800 for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Work placements

On this course you undertake a placement for up to 6 months, this is a great way of boosting your employability. Find out more about placement opportunities on your course.

Anything else?

Are you an international student?

You can now book a Skype appointment at a time to suit you with our International Student Adviser to discuss your options.

Start dates

If you're from the UK or EU you can apply to study this course in:

September

If you're from a country outside the EU you can apply to study this course full time in:

September

UCAS code

D600

Fees

This is a resource intensive course.

UK/EU students

Full time: £7,495 (each year)
Part time: £935 per module (you usually take 12 of these modules in total).

International students

Full time: £9,975 (each year)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2012 and August 2013. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.