CHELMSLEY WOOD CULINARY SCHOOL
Part of University College Birmingham
Opening September 2025 - apply now
Start your hospitality career on our free cookery courses
University College Birmingham is renowned worldwide for exceptional training in hospitality. So it's great news that we are launching a brand-new culinary school in the nearby town of Chelmsley Wood, near Solihull.
Located in the Chelmsley Wood shopping centre at the heart of the community, the purpose-built culinary school offers courses that will introduce you to working in the dynamic hospitality industry or starting down the path to becoming a professional chef, as well as refreshing existing experience and skills. Even better, the courses are absolutely free! No tuition fees to find, just a simple application process (a quick and easy form) on the course pages.
You can currently choose from two free cookery courses (both starting in September 2025):
- 1 year college course for 16-18 year olds
- 7-8 week short course for thosed aged 19 and over
To apply for either course, you will need a minimum of 2 GCSEs at grade 2 or above (or equivalent qualifications).
Discover more about our courses and apply
Taught by our expert lecturers, students of all ages will benefit from hands-on learning in industry-standard kitchens, where their kitchen creativity can really come to life. Front of house, the public will get to enjoy a seasonal menu devised, prepared and served by students themselves. Discover more about our free cookery and hospitality courses at Chelmsley Wood and what your studies will look like. Apply on the course page to see if we can make you an offer.
Introduction to the Hospitality Industry (Certificate)
Take your first steps to becoming a professional chef on our free college course for 16-18 year olds at our culinary school in Chelmsley…
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Introduction to the Hospitality Industry (Award)
Start your journey to becoming a professional chef on our free college course for over 19 year olds at our culinary school in Chelmsley Wood.…
Read moreWhy choose our Introduction to the Hospitality Industry college or short course?
- PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Taught by highly-skilled and experienced chef lecturers, our course is all about learning by doing, getting you straight into the kitchen to develop your cookery skills
- EXCELLENT FACILITIES – Our industry-standard kitchen facilities will boost your confidence working in the food and hospitality environment. And there will be an eatery at the front of the school where you will get to cook and serve for members of the public
- ENRICHMENT – Enrichment opportunities will include educational trips and cookery demonstrations by renowned local chefs
- NO TUITION FEES – The courses are absolutely free!
- PROGRESSION – Want to continue your learning journey after this Level 1 course at our world-renowned college of food? Progress your training to a Level 2 and 3 or go even further on our range of university food degree courses
State-of-the-art training facilities at Chelmsley Wood
Purpose-built Chelmsley Wood culinary school will have lots of state-of-the-art equipment (similar to equipment at our Birmingham College of Food as pictured below) for you to cook with and learn the skills you will need to be ready for the workplace or the next step in your culinary education. In the gallery below, you can also see artist impressions of the eatery, where you will be cooking for and serving members of the public.
Read more about the opening of Chelmsley Wood culinary school in our news story.
The culinary school will have similar equipment to the kitchens at our Birmingham College of Food
Artist's impression of the Chelmsley Wood culinary school and eatery
Artist's impression of the Chelmsley Wood culinary school and eatery
Artist's impression of the Chelmsley Wood culinary school and eatery
Artist's impression of the Chelmsley Wood culinary school and eatery
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College and sixth form student support
Whether you need support with your learning, finances, health and wellbeing or other areas, our range of dedicated support services are here for you.
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Birmingham College of Food
Study with one of the most highly-respected names in the food industry. University College Birmingham's renowned College of Food offers a range of specialist courses, from professional chef training to culinary arts management or bakery and patisserie.
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