InTRODUCTION TO the Hospitality Industry
Level 1 Certificate (16-18 year olds)
Free for all learners and taught at Chelmsley Wood culinary school
Course Level
Level 1
Duration
1 year
Placement
No placement, but lots of enrichment
Entry
September
Fees
View Fees
21% of production chef roles are unfilled - skilled chefs are always in high demand
UK trained chefs are respected globally, opening doors for overseas work
Our Introduction to the Hospitality Industry (Certificate) course is the perfect short course if you want to learn basic cookery skills and take your first steps toward becoming a professional chef or working in hospitality. University College Birmingham is recognised for its chef training and catering courses and on this course, you will experience different sections of the kitchen and front of house, enhancing culinary skills, kitchen confidence and giving you a broad understanding of hospitality in a practical, realistic working environment.
Based around basic food preparation and cookery techniques, you will be taught by experienced chef lecturers in our purpose-built culinary school in Chelmsley Wood, near Solihull and just 10 miles from Birmingham. It boasts industry-standard kitchens to fire your creativity and a dining space where you’ll be hosting the paying public.
Skills you will develop include health and safety, kitchen organisation and teamwork, knife skills, various cooking methods, allergen awareness, nutrition, international cuisine, and an understanding of field-to-fork processes. Upon completion, you can pursue a career as a chef in the industry or continue to Level 2 and 3 courses. Further progression to food or hospitality-related degrees is also available.
Please note: The Introduction to the Hospitality Industry (Certificate) is only available to those aged 16-18. If you are 19+, you can apply for the Introduction to the Hospitality Industry (Award) course. Both courses are free to study.
Former cookery student Dan Lee (Pictures: Shine TV)
Student stories: MasterChef champion Dan Lee
By taking our Introduction to the Hospitality Industry course (Certificate), you can go onto a Level 2 course and follow in the footsteps of talented ex-college students such as Dan Lee, champion of MasterChef: The Professionals 2021.
Dan studied our Level 2 Professional Cookery course and was dubbed a "star in the making" by show judge and Michelin-starred restaurant owner Marcus Wareing.
There has also been a string of other students from our Professional Cookery course to have featured on the hit BBC TV show, including 2024 quarter-finalist Jordan Johnson, a Birmingham-born and bred junior sous chef who had his big break after his course at The Ritz in London.
Discover more about Dan and our other MasterChef stars:
Why choose the Introduction to the Hospitality Industry college 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
- PROGRESSION – Want to continue your learning journey after this Level 1 course at our world-renowned college of food? Progress your culinary training to a Level 2 and 3 or go even further on our wide range of university food degree courses
- ENRICHMENT – Enrichment opportunities will include educational trips and cookery demonstrations by renowned local chefs
Our facilities
This course will take place in a purpose-built culinary school in Chelmsley Wood, with a dining area open to paying members of the public. There will be lots of state-of-the-art equipment (similar to equipment at our Birmingham College of Food as pictured below) that you will have the chance to cook with to learn the skills you will need to be ready for the workplace or the next step in your culinary education. Below, you can also see an artist's impression of the culinary school shop front.
The culinary school will have similar equipment to the kitchens at our Birmingham College of Food
Artist's impression of the shop front at the Chelmsley Wood culinary school
Artist's impression of the shop front at the Chelmsley Wood culinary school
Course breakdown
Topics you will study
- Introduction to the hospitality industry
- Customer service in the hospitality industry
- Introduction to healthy eating
- Basic food preparation and cooking
- Preparing and serving drinks
- Introduction to food commodities
- Introduction to kitchen equipment
- Introduction to pastry and cake preparation and cooking methods
- Understand menus
- Food safety in catering
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
Math skills are crucial in hospitality for tasks like weighing recipes, scaling recipes up and down, managing budgets, stock taking, and costs, as well as for accurate calculations and data analysis, which are essential for running a successful business.
How English will support your career
In the hospitality industry, strong English skills are crucial for writing recipes, methods and menus and effective communication with diverse guests and colleagues. This leads to better customer service, career advancement and a more inclusive work environment.
Entry requirements
Our chef lecturers are looking for students who are enthusiastic and passionate about cooking, together with a keen determination to succeed in the hospitality industry, 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.
Introduction to the Hospitality Industry (Certificate)
Academic requirements
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A minimum of 2 GCSEs at grade 2 or above
Key information
Teaching and assessment
Teaching will be delivered through spot demonstrations, group, peer and 1-1 support in all areas of the culinary school.
Assessment will be on practical skills and theory.
- Practical - as an ongoing process in a live, real working environment
- Theory - short answer and multiple-choice question papers and scenario style tasks
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 £280. However, the college is looking to get these costs funded and sponsored. 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
Need some advice?
Our Schools Liaison team deliver drop-in sessions for you to ask any questions you have about college. Find out more here.
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UCB Food Courses |
"This purpose-built culinary school, and dining outlet for the local community, will act as a springboard for the chefs of the next generation. This course has been designed specifically for the area of Chelmsley Wood, focusing on offering students, especially those who might not usually have access to formal training, the chance to develop skills and enter the hospitality 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
Pastry chef
Average Salary: £21,682
Food business owner/restaurateur
Variable
Product development chef
Average salary: £25,000 - £40,000
Aspiring to a higher level career? Complete this course and you could progress onto our Level 2 and 3 Chef Cookery course and then onto our Professional Chef or Culinary Arts Management degree.
Yasmine's Story
Yasmine wowed the judges on TV show MasterChef using skills she learned at University College Birmingham.
