New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3)
Learn essential food preparation and cookery techniques and gain valuable commercial and kitchen experience in our training restaurant. In this entry-level programme, you will learn about health and safety, food safety, and how to interact with customers. This programme provides a great pathway into our Level 4 qualification.
Domestic
July
About the programme
Strong basic culinary skills are the foundation that cooks and chefs build their professional reputation on.
During this hands-on programme, food preparation and cookery techniques are central to your learning, and you will gain valuable instruction from highly-skilled teachers. Develop your theoretical knowledge with topics such as food safety, health, and safety legislation, and catering for specific dietary requirements, and benefit from gaining commercial and kitchen experience in our training restaurant.
If you're an Otago senior secondary school student, you may be able to study this programme through our Otago Secondary-Tertiary College (OSTC). To apply, you need to contact your school careers advisor. This starts in February.
International
July
About the programme
Strong basic culinary skills are the foundation that cooks and chefs build their professional reputation on.
During this hands-on programme, food preparation and cookery techniques are central to your learning, and you will gain valuable instruction from highly-skilled teachers. Develop your theoretical knowledge with topics such as food safety, health, and safety legislation, and catering for specific dietary requirements, and benefit from gaining commercial and kitchen experience in our training restaurant.
If you're an Otago senior secondary school student, you may be able to study this programme through our Otago Secondary-Tertiary College (OSTC). To apply, you need to contact your school careers advisor. This starts in February.
What You Study
Courses
Upon successful completion of this qualification, you will be able to:
- Apply health and safety, food safety, and security practices to ensure own safety and minimize potential hazards for customers.
- Communicate effectively and behave in a professional manner with colleagues, managers, and customers.
- Follow standard operating procedures to deal with familiar problems in a commercial kitchen.
- Apply fundamental cookery skills to prepare, cook and present a range of basic dishes employing commodities commonly used in industry.
| Course Title | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Apply health, safety, and security practices to service delivery operations | 3 | 5 |
| Apply food safety practices in a food-related establishment | 3 | 5 |
| Interact with other staff, managers, and customers to provide service delivery outcomes | 3 | 5 |
| Apply standard operating procedures and the code of conduct to a work role in a service delivery organisation | 3 | 5 |
| Prepare and cook basic stocks, sauces, and soups in a commercial kitchen | 3 | 5 |
| Prepare and cook basic vegetable dishes in a commercial kitchen | 3 | 6 |
| Prepare and cook egg dishes in a commercial kitchen | 3 | 4 |
| Prepare and cook basic meat dishes in a commercial kitchen | 3 | 8 |
| Prepare and cook basic fish dishes in a commercial kitchen | 3 | 4 |
| Prepare and cook rice and farinaceous dishes in a commercial kitchen | 3 | 6 |
| Prepare and cook basic pasta dishes in a commercial kitchen | 3 | 3 |
| Prepare and cook basic pastry dishes in a commercial kitchen | 3 | 4 |
| Total | 60 |
Health and Safety
There are a number of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) issues associated with practical work in areas specific to a commercial kitchen environment. These include, but are not limited to, burns from hot liquids or hot objects and cuts from sharp instruments. You will have access to an orientation booklet that covers the associated risks in more detail.
Further study options
Upon completion of this Certificate, further your learning and skills with our New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4).
Workload
Your workload
This programme is hands-on and involves a lot of practical work to intensively develop your kitchen skills in a commercial facility.
Entry
Entry requirements
- Open entry; there are no academic entry requirements.
- International students will be individually assessed to ensure they are ready for this study.
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Please email info@op.ac.nz for information on learning and assessment in your workplace.
Additional documentation
You must supply your academic records, along with certified copies of proof of identity and proof of residency (where appropriate).
Selection procedure
If the number of applicants exceeds the available places, a waitlist will be used to ensure preference is given to applicants in order of application.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
Additional costs
During your induction day, you have the opportunity to purchase your full uniform from our preferred supplier. You should expect to spend approximately $450 on programme specific equipment. This will be covered by the "Course-Related costs" section of your student loan (if you are eligible for this - see Student Loans and Allowances section below).
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink. Some support may be available for domestic part-time students. Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people. The great news is that this enables us to share skills and knowledge across a network of passionate education providers, to better help you succeed. Enrolling in programmes that start in 2023, means that you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative ONLY. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.
