Work with the best. Become the best.
Study at Birmingham College of Food
Discover our courses
If you are studying a food course at University College Birmingham, you will have many practical elements, with plenty of opportunities for real, industry experience. Discover more about our culinary courses and what your studies will look like below - you can then apply on the course page to see if we can make you an offer.
Bakery and Patisserie Technology BSc (Hons) / FdSc
Passionate about baking? Whether you dream of being a chocolatier, patissier, making artisan breads or working as a bakery technologist, thi…
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Culinary Arts Management BA (Hons) / FdA
Do you dream of managing high-profile restaurant kitchens or becoming an executive head chef? This flagship course provides the advanced skills you ne…
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Professional Chef FdA
If you aspire to work in high-quality food establishments featured in the Michelin Guide or boasting AA rosettes, our two-year Professional Chef foundation degree will e…
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Food and Nutrition BSc (Hons) / FdSc
Our Food and Nutrition degree will give you essential knowledge of food science and covers a wide range of core competencies to prepare you for an array o…
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Bakery Level 2 and Level 3
Do you dream of a professional career in baking? Our Bakery college course will help develop your practical skills in bread and confectionery, including learning ab…
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Chef Cookery Courses Level 2 and Level 3 (Professional Cookery)
Start your journey to becoming a professional chef with our hands-on cookery college course. Build your practical skills in our…
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Food and Beverage Service Supervision Level 3
If you have previous training or education in food and beverage service, this Level 3 course will further enhance your skills and knowledge to en…
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Professional Food and Beverage Service Level 2
Take your first step into the world of hospitality. This Level 2 course will get you started on learning the essentials of bar tending, cocktail…
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Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Apprenticeships Level 3
Enjoy the highest level of culinary training while working alongside top professionals in the sector on this apprenticeship, with an unr…
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Chef de Partie Apprenticeship Level 3
Boost your skills for a career in catering and hospitality on our Chef de Partie apprenticeship. Learn advanced techniques for working in a busy professi…
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Commis Chef Apprenticeship Level 2
Start your journey towards a rewarding catering and hospitality career. Our Commis Chef apprenticeship builds on your existing knowledge while you work, cov…
Apply nowCooking up incredible careers alongside industry
University College Birmingham in the heart of the city is a centre of excellence for higher education and our food-related degrees will give you incredible creative, technical and management skills sought out by industry.
We are renowned across the world for our food courses and our graduates work everywhere from The Ritz to the South Pole, calling on the vast experience they gained with us and their training in world-class facilities.
As a student with us, you will have access to our fantastic network of contacts for everything from placements to job opportunities and, crucially, the chance to work with the very best in the industry.
Aktar Islam
Founder and head chef at award-winning Opheem
A word from Aktar Islam
Over the years, we’ve had a strong relationship with University College Birmingham. Many students have walked through the doors of Opheem, working in our kitchens and front of house.
We’ve encouraged them to push themselves and have seen them grow into amazing professionals. Some have stayed with us for six years and continue to achieve incredible things. Imagine being a 21-year-old and being part of a team that has earned two Michelin stars—what a feat!
My advice to anyone pursuing a career in this industry is simple: be willing to work hard. To achieve greatness or stand out, you have to be willing to do what others won’t. Go the extra mile. It’s only when you step out of your comfort zone and truly push yourself that you unlock your potential.
*Aktar Islam is the founder and head chef at two Michelin-starred restaurant Opheem in Birmingham, a stone's throw from University College Birmingham. Aktar has been so vital to our students' development, he was made a University College Birmingham Fellow in 2024.
Reasons to study with us
- £200 million investment into facilities - including nine industry-standard kitchens, AA Gold-accredited Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food, Food Science and Innovation Suite, bakery and product development labs and Cakes and Bakes shop for you to gain experience
- City centre location - surrounded by booming businesses, gorgeous green spaces and vibrant nightlife. Plus, there's a magnificent mix of cultures right on your doorstep and fantastic connections to the rest of the UK and the world
- Network of 1,000 employer contacts to provide valuable placements and excellent careers guidance through HIRED
- Award-winning support (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024)
£5k Cost of Living Allowance
At University College Birmingham, we believe the cost of living shouldn’t hold you back from achieving your goals. That’s why we’re providing UK full-time undergraduate students starting in September 2025 with £5,000 each to support expenses like food, bills, and transport—completely free, with no need to pay it back.
Our students
Sumaiyah Patel
Hard work and resilience have paid off for Sumaiyah, who is today the food implementation manager for LEON resturants.
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Dan Lee
Within 11 years of leaving Birmingham College of Food, Dan Lee was lifting TV’s coveted MasterChef: The Professionals trophy.
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Jamie Cowburn
Jamie left college keen to build his skill set in baking and patisserie and he knew exactly where would best help him achieve his goals.
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Ross Yates
Starting at the University as a 16-year-old Level 2 Bakery student, Ross dreamed of going onto a degree and forging a career in new product development.
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Yasmine Selwood
Mum-of-four Yasmine wowed the judges on TV show MasterChef by preparing for them the same menu that helped her complete her foundation degree.
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Claire Hutchings
As one of the youngest finalists on MasterChef: The Professionals, Claire honed and sharpened her skills at University College Birmingham.
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Luke Hayward
Luke was heavily supported in competitions by the University - resulting in him being part of a team that lifted a prestigious trophy.
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Katie Garrett
Katie not only won a new product development role with royal wedding cake maker Fiona Cairns when she graduated, but also a top industry award.
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Get to know us
Join an upcoming open day and learn what it's like to study with us. Our friendly student ambassadors will show you around the facilities and tell you all about student life at University College Birmingham.