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Student stories: MasterChef champion Dan Lee
By studying at our Birmingham College of Food, you can follow in the footsteps of ex-student Dan Lee, champion of MasterChef: The Professionals 2021.
Dan was dubbed a "star in the making" by the show's judge and Michelin-starred restaurant owner Marcus Wareing. He was also joined in the latest series by final year Culinary Arts Management BA (Hons) degree student Yasmine Selwood, who reached the quarter-finals.
There have been a string of other students from our food courses to have featured on the hit BBC TV show too, including 2017 semi-finalist Leo Kattou of Michelin-starred Simpson's Restaurant in Birmingham, as well as 2011 finalist Claire Hutchings.
Discover more about Dan and our other MasterChef stars:
Why should I choose this course?
- WORK PLACEMENT (MA only) – Take up our optional three-month or six-month placement on successful completion of the taught part of the course and get your foot in the door within the food and hospitality industry
- EXPERT TUITION – Draw from our lecturers’ wealth of experience and keep up-to-date with the very latest industry developments and academic research
- EXCELLENT FACILITIES – Develop and apply your skills within our industry-standard kitchen and restaurant facilities on campus
- AWARD-WINNING UNIVERSITY – Study at the highest-ranking university in the region according to student choice (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023)
Our facilities
University College Birmingham is renowned for its outstanding food industry training facilities. As a student on our Culinary Arts Management master’s degree or postgraduate diploma, you will have access to our professional standard kitchens, award-winning restaurant and state-of-the-art food development facilities.
Course breakdown
- Postgraduate
Core Modules
Culinary Artistry - Contemporary Principles
In this module, you will learn about the principles of culinary artistry in a contemporary context and real life applications within the wider gastronomic landscape and potential market opportunities. A special emphasis is placed on building professional competency to support a sustainable culinary environment through strong focus on healthier cooking techniques, smart working approach and utilising modern technologies. This culinary insight will allow you to explore the relationship between classical cuisine and modern kitchen management, leading to informed recommendations and commentary as to the future direction of culinary artistry in a range of contemporary commercial settings.
Culinary Innovation and Product Development
Let your creativity flow in designing and developing new, exciting, and innovative food products, based on a brief from a real life industry scenario - from the initial idea to the market launch. This module will provide you with a unique opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of all the essential technical processes and theoretical models of commercial new product development. An additional learning focus will include healthier alternatives, considering consumer allergens and special diets e.g. vegan/vegetarian and free-from products.
Culinary Management Project
This module provides you with the opportunity to lead and manage the process of project management to a specific food and beverage environment. This will involve planning, coordinating and executing a project. It involves analysis of the project proposal and development activities for either a client organisation or to the context of a case study.
Managing Across Cultures
Today's global hospitality industry requires employees to have an understanding of management and leadership across cultures, so you will explore the issues surrounding this while assessing the move away from local cultures to a more cosmopolitan environment. You will examine the management styles, motivation techniques and leadership theories as well as any complexities and contradictions that may occur.
Managing Profitable Food and Beverage Operations
You will focus on developing an understanding of the operational aspects of the restaurant and bar sector by evaluating and applying management concepts, models and techniques. You will look for innovative ways to improve outputs whilst considering any contemporary issues and how they may impact on this sector of business. By analysing and evaluating a range of business scenarios, you will seek to deliver efficiency and profitability.
Masters Research Project
This module introduces students to the disciplines and techniques required for critical appraisal of complex data and industry practice; creating research designs and accompanying research techniques; building theoretical frameworks, and the scheduling and execution of a research project. The module will develop students' skills and expertise in the essential research tools they will need for both successful Postgraduate study and as leaders in their chosen service industry sector.
Revenue & Performance Analysis
In this module, you will develop a critical perspective of the long and short term decisions faced by senior managers. You will develop a rich understanding of the business and economic environment. You will learn how to analyse financial data to create value for senior stakeholders. In doing so, you will apply a range of financial methodologies that will advance your capability to make realtime-decisions in a professional environment.
Optional placement module
Postgraduate Work Placement
The Postgraduate Work Placement module provides you with the opportunities to further develop practical skills, relate theory to practice and to gain a sound base of experience. In addition, the module seeks to develop 'life skills' to assist you in progressing towards a career in management. The placement period offers you the opportunity to experience work in the hospitality industry and to gain academic credit for your learning. It is important therefore that you are given the opportunity to work in an organisation which is both appropriate to their needs and has a professional approach towards training and development. Your needs and any previous experience are taken into consideration, when introducing you to a suitable employer. The staff in the hired@UCB suite will draw on their extensive experience to ensure that the objectives are met as fully as possible.
The modules listed above for this course are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date and informed by industry as well as the latest teaching methods. On occasion, we may need to make unexpected changes to modules – if this occurs, we will contact all offer holders as soon as possible.
Entry requirements
Academic
MA Culinary Arts Management: A grade classification of 2:2 or above is required in one of the following subject areas: Culinary Arts Management, Hospitality Management, Food Nutrition and Preparation, Food Innovation, Food Technology or Professional Cookery, or international equivalent.
PGDip Culinary Arts Management: A grade classification of third class is required in one of the subject areas above, or international equivalent.
If you do not have a degree in one of the subject areas above, we also offer places based on work experience – please review the section below.
Work-based
We also consider applicants who are currently employed and wish to apply to University College Birmingham.
To apply, you must have 5 years of relevant managerial work experience, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of the sector for the subject matter you are interested in pursuing.
A reference detailing your roles and responsibilities from your line manager and a meeting with the programme team will usually be scheduled prior to a place being offered.
International students
For academic and English entry requirements for EU and international students, please visit the Country Specific Information page.
Please note: As an International Student, when choosing optional placement, a visa extension may be required.
Key information
Teaching and assessment
Note: Indicative information only – actual timetables and assessment regimes will be issued at your induction.
Teaching
Example of a typical teaching week (up to 12 contact hours):
- Large group teaching – 10 hours (in lecture rooms/specialist kitchens)
- Smaller group teaching – 1 hour
- Tutorials – 1 hour
- Subject advice sessions – 1-3 hours
You will also need to commit around 20 hours per week for individual study time.
Assessment
Estimated breakdown of assessment for this postgraduate course:
- Coursework – 68%
- Practical assessment – 22%
- Written examinations – 10%
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.
Timetable
We understand that you need to balance study with work, so wherever possible your lessons will be timetabled into 2-3 days a week for full-time and one day a week for part-time study.
Tuition fees
Home students
If you are a home student enrolling on a postgraduate degree course at University College Birmingham, the 2024/2025 academic year tuition fee for full-time study will be £9,350. For part-time study, the fee will be £4,675. In 2025/2026, the tuition fee for the academic year will be £11,000 [Band 3] per year. For part-time study, the fee will be £5,500.
View tuition fees for home students
International students
If you are an international student (or have been fee assessed as an international fee payer) and enrolling on a full-time postgraduate degree course in 2024/2025, the fee for the academic year will be £15,000. In 2025/26, the tuition fee for the academic year will be £20,750 [Band 3] per year. If you complete a placement year, there will be an administration fee of £500 for a full year or £250 for a half-year placement.
Unibuddy Community - meet other students on your course
Starting university is an exciting time, but we understand that it can sometimes feel a little daunting. To support you, you will be invited to join our Unibuddy Community, where you can meet other students who have applied for the same course at University College Birmingham, before you start studying here.
As soon as you have been made an offer, you will be sent an invitation email to complete your registration and join the Unibuddy Community. For more information, check out our Unibuddy Community page.
Accreditations, endorsements and partnerships
University College Birmingham works with a wide range of organisations to ensure you receive the best possible training and qualifications recognised by industry.
Work placements
Work placements are vital for gaining real-life experience and for building your confidence and skills before you finish your course – and they may even lead to a job when you graduate.
Our MA Culinary Arts Management course features an optional three-month or six-month placement on successful completion of the taught part of the course, with opportunities in the UK or overseas. You are required to secure your own placement with the support of our experienced HIRED team.
Note: Students on the PGDip course, or those planning to top-up from a PGDip to a master's degree, will not be eligible for a placement during the course.
I wanted a qualification that would prepare me for the real world. University College Birmingham seemed like the best place for that. One of the best things is learning directly from brilliant chefs in an environment that allows you to gain real insight into what it’s like to work in industry.
Career opportunities
The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Sous chef
Average salary: £30,000 - £40,000
Head chef
Average salary: £35,000 - £50,000
Catering manager
Average salary: £22,000 - £45,000
Product development chef
Average salary: £25,000 - £40,000
Restaurant manager
Average salary: £22,000 - £40,000
Food business owner/restaurateur
Variable
Garima’s Story
A celebrity in India, Garima wanted to study for her master’s at a university with “the best culinary courses in the world”.