of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them
Course Level
Level 2, Level 3
Duration
1 year full-time per level
Placement
Opportunities available
Entry
September
Fees
View Fees
£160m invested in new facilities and student resources over five years
Opportunity to progress onto our bakery degree on completion of the Level 3 course
Do you love baking? Ever dreamed of a professional career as a baker, cake decorator or working in confectionery? Our Bakery college course will provide you with the foundation of knowledge and skills to start pursuing your ambitions in the industry.
Our Level 2 and Level 3 baking courses put the emphasis on hands-on training, providing you with essential practical skills in bread and confectionery. Working in our industry-standard kitchen facilities at University College Birmingham, you will gain a thorough background in working with a broad range of bakery products, as well as learning about chocolate work and other special interest areas such as celebration cakes or artisan bread.
To further boost your practical experience, you will undertake a work placement within the industry, with opportunities available in a range of settings from bakeries to food manufacturers or the hospitality sector. There are also opportunities for research into further specialist production, as well as putting yourself to the test in baking industry competitions and events.
Note: Bakery Level 1 is available if students require additional support.
Why choose this college course?
- PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Our course is all about learning by doing, getting you straight into the kitchen to develop your practical baking skills
- WORK PLACEMENT – Put your training into practice in the real world through the opportunity of a work placement within the industry
- EXCELLENT FACILITIES – Our state-of-the-art bakery facilities on campus will help you hone your skills to an advanced level
- MOVE UP TO UNIVERSITY – Want to continue your learning journey after college? Progress your training to the next level on our bakery degree or other university courses
There are lots of reasons why we think you should study with us, but here are our top 5. View video.
Our facilities
University College Birmingham is renowned for its outstanding food industry training facilities. Studying on our baking college course means you will have access to our own on-site baking and product development laboratories featuring a wide range of specialist equipment.
Our on-site baking and product development laboratories enable you to get hands-on with a range of equipment, including large planetary machines, industrial ovens and Koma computer-controlled retarder provers.
Our laboratories also feature high-speed pressure/vacuum mixers, specialist equipment for chocolate production and dough and flour rheology testing equipment
Our Cakes and Bakes shop on campus sells a wide range of bread and baked goods made by our students
Course breakdown
Topics you will study
- Confectionery
- Chocolate tempering
- Modelling
- Celebration cakes
- Piping
- Flower making
- Food safety
- High volume manufacture of bread and yeast-based products
- Sugar craft
- Chocolate work
- Designing and developing bakery products
- Planning and evaluating specialist bakery products
- Monitoring quality
- Working with others
You will also have an individual study programme to help you build the skills and experience you need to progress onto higher education or gain employment.
We are also happy to accept students who require additional support on the Professional Bakery Level 1 Diploma.
Please note: Units/topics of study are subject to change
You will also have an individual study programme to help you build the skills and experience you need to progress onto higher education or gain employment.
Maths and English
To help you secure your dream career, you will also continue developing your maths and English skills alongside your full-time course. If you haven’t achieved GCSE grade 4/C in English and maths at age 16, you will continue to study these through resits or taking Functional Skills at an appropriate level.
How maths will support your career
- Making measurements (including weighing) in baking and serving food properly
- Making adjustments for time and temperature in food preparation
- Using fractions for recipes and serving sizes
- Using geometry to enhance the presentation of baked products
- Handling nutritional data to inform choices about health and balanced diet
- Effective stock management in bakeries
How English will support your career
- Using accurate spelling and specialist vocabulary for presenting quality menus
- Developing good speaking and listening skills for communicating with colleagues and customers
- Improving your reading accuracy when following instructions and recipes
- Enhancing your CV or advertising your business with the correct use of English
Entry requirements
Our bakery lecturers are looking for students who are enthusiastic and keen to gain practical skills in bread, cake production and decoration, so please contact Admissions if you do not have the specific requirements outlined below.
If you are unsure if your qualification is equivalent or if you wish to check if you meet the entry requirements for this course, please call 0121 214 2919, email feadmissions@ucb.ac.uk or use our live chat.
Bakery Level 1
Academic requirements
- Entry Level 3 in English (Language or Literature) and maths are desirable for entrance. Admissions will be administered on an individual application basis.
- This course level is available for students who require additional support.
Guaranteed progression option
Students who achieve Level 1 Bakery and receive approval from the University College Birmingham teaching team will be permitted to progress onto Level 2 Bakery.
Bakery Level 2
Academic requirements
4 GCSEs at grade 3/D or above, or equivalent.
Supporting documents required
- School applicants will be required to provide a good school report, which must include attendance. This will be assessed in conjunction with your qualifications and application during the confirmation of your place at University College Birmingham.
- If you are a school leaver (over 19), you will be required to provide a reference from a previous education provider or employer in support of your application.
Guaranteed progression option
Students who achieve Level 2 Bakery and receive approval from the University College Birmingham teaching team will be permitted to progress onto Level 3 Bakery.
Bakery Level 3
Academic requirements
- A relevant Level 2 qualification in Bakery or Baking and Confectionery.
- GCSE English (Language or Literature) and maths at grade 4/C are desirable for entrance but not essential.
Work experience admissions pathway
2 years’ relevant baking industry experience. Admissions will be based on your interview performance alongside a reference stating the roles and responsibilities held during your period of employment.
Supporting documents required
School applicants will be required to provide a good school report, which must include attendance. This will be assessed in conjunction with your qualifications and application during the confirmation of your place at University College Birmingham.
Guaranteed progression option
Students who achieve Level 3 Bakery will be automatically guaranteed an offer for Bakery and Patisserie Technology FdSc. Students who wish to study other degree courses at University College Birmingham will need to contact feadmissions@ucb.ac.uk for further advice and guidance on suitability.
English and maths
If you do not have a grade 4/C or above in English and maths and you are under 19, you will be required to study these subjects alongside your vocational subject. After enrolment you will complete an assessment with our teaching team so we can ensure you receive appropriate English and maths support.
Applicants over 19 are not required to complete maths and English.
Guaranteed progression
Students who achieve a pass for this qualification will automatically be guaranteed a place on a foundation degree course at University College Birmingham.
Key information
Teaching and assessment
On the Level 2 course, underpinning knowledge is continually assessed so you will complete practical assessments in the bakeries and a series of questions on the e-learning platform. A Level 2 Food Safety exam is also undertaken.
For Level 3, you will be required to complete both practical assessments within the bakery settings and written assignments on the e-learning platform. The course is continually assessed to ensure it provides more in-depth knowledge of the bakery industry, skills and ingredients.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.
Uniform and kit costs
This course requires a uniform and kit costing approximately £300, depending on the items you purchase. (Prices are subject to change each year – exact costs and information on how to order required items will be provided to you prior to enrolment.)
You may be eligible for the Learner Support Fund, which assists college students with course-related costs such as essential uniform, equipment and travel. For more information, please visit our Financial Support for College Students page.
Latest updates
Join the conversation and check out the latest updates from Birmingham College of Food.
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UCB Food Courses |
University College Birmingham has People 1st Gold Hospitality accreditation, and carries Centre of Excellence status for Patisserie and Confectionery, Food and Beverage Service, and Fish and Shellfish.
Our training restaurant at Summer Row has a Highly Commended AA College Rosette.
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.
70%
Work placements
Work placements offer a wealth of benefits alongside your studies, helping you put your learning into practice, develop your skills and understanding of the workplace, boost your CV for your chosen career or enhance your UCAS application for higher education. Our Hired employability team can help find the ideal placement for you.
Students on our college bakery courses have opportunities for placements with artisan and craft bakeries, patisserie and cake decoration outlets, in-store bakeries and food manufacturers, as well as hotels, restaurants and conference and banqueting centres. Placements last from 70 to 350 hours over the year, depending on the level you are studying at.
Work alongside experts in your sector
A snapshot of some of the employers we have worked with:
- Hindleys Bakeries (Lichfield)
- Lawrance's Bakery (Evesham)
- Miss Macaroon (Birmingham)
- Ten Four Bakehouse (Birmingham)
- Valencia Fine Foods Ltd (West Bromwich)
My course included a two-week placement and I got to experience an industry setting. Many of my classmates stayed in restaurants and bakeries in Birmingham; however, some of us went to places closer to home. On placement, you learn things that you wouldn’t get the chance to learn in college.
Career opportunities
The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Artisan baker
Average Salary: £26,875
Cake decorator
Average Salary: £18,500
Quality control (QC) technician (bakery)
Average Salary: £20,470
Food business owner/restaurateur
Variable
Pastry chef
Average Salary: £21,682
Chocolatier
Average Salary: £23,500
Aspiring to a higher level career? Complete this course and you could progress onto our Bakery and Patisserie Technology degree.
Jessica’s Story
Winning awards from top baking industry associations to making chocolates for the royal family, Jessica has always risen to the occasion.
Meet your tutors
