New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4)
Get stuck into some hands-on learning during this programme with loads of practical cooking in our training kitchens and a work placement in a local business. Build your range of cooking skills so you can prepare, cook and present a variety of dishes, develop your hospitality management skills, learn how to create a safe workplace, and discover how to develop communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills.
Domestic
About the programme
Begin your journey from cook to chef.
This programme involves lots of hands-on, practical cooking in our training kitchens and a work placement in a local business. It will expand the skills you have developed in a Level 3 cookery programme.
As well as developing a range of cookery skills enabling you to prepare, cook and present a variety of dishes, you will gain hospitality management skills and techniques which will allow you to create and maintain successful food operations. In turn, this will enable you to learn the important steps necessary to operate and evaluate the performance of a food operation. You will also learn how to develop communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills and how to create a safe workplace.
The work experience opportunity will allow you to apply your hands-on learning outside of the classroom and is a great chance for you to increase your knowledge and develop real-world skills.
International
About the programme
Begin your journey from cook to chef.
This programme involves lots of hands-on, practical cooking in our training kitchens and a work placement in a local business. It will expand the skills you have developed in a Level 3 cookery programme.
As well as developing a range of cookery skills enabling you to prepare, cook and present a variety of dishes, you will gain hospitality management skills and techniques which will allow you to create and maintain successful food operations. In turn, this will enable you to learn the important steps necessary to operate and evaluate the performance of a food operation. You will also learn how to develop communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills and how to create a safe workplace.
The work experience opportunity will allow you to apply your hands-on learning outside of the classroom and is a great chance for you to increase your knowledge and develop real-world skills.
What You Study
Courses
Upon successful completion of this qualification, you will be able to:
- Monitor and maintain health and safety, food safety, and security practices to ensure your own safety and minimise potential hazards for customers.
- Monitor and maintain interactions between colleagues, managers, and customers.
- Monitor and maintain the application of standard operating policies and procedures to work roles in a commercial kitchen.
- Apply cookery skills to prepare, cook and present a range of cold larder dishes employing complex preparation and presentation techniques.
- Apply cookery skills to prepare, cook and present a range of hot kitchen dishes employing complex preparation and presentation techniques.
- Apply cookery skills to prepare, cook and present a range of patisserie and desserts employing complex preparation and presentation techniques.
| Course Title (Compulsory) | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Complex Cookery | 4 | 45 |
| Complex Cookery | 4 | 45 |
| Work Experience | 4 | 15 |
| Capstone | 4 | 15 |
| Total | 120 |
Health and safety
There are a number of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) issues associated with practical work in areas specific to a commercial hospitality 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 programme specific risks in more detail.
Further study options
After successfully completing this Certificate, you will be in a great position to apply for the New Zealand Diploma in Hospitality Management (Level 5) offered in Dunedin or the Bachelor of Culinary Arts offered in Dunedin.
Workload
Your workload
You'll spend the majority of your time in the training and production kitchens and you'll also need to take part in classroom and online learning.
You'll undertake a work placement which is a vital component of this programme as you will be expected to compare Otago Polytechnic procedures and standards with what occurs in your placement.
Entry
Entry requirements
- Open entry but preference will be given to those who hold the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3) OR equivalent OR evidence of at least one year of relevant industry experience.
- International students will be individually assessed to ensure you 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.
Additional documentation
You'll need to supply your academic records, along with certified copies of proof of identity and proof of residency (where appropriate).
If you have industry experience, please also submit a CV with details of this.
Selection procedure
If the number of applicants exceed the available places, a waitlist will be used to ensure preference is given to applicants in the order that they applied.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Fees Free
If you’re a domestic student and this is your first time doing tertiary study in New Zealand (over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher), you may be able to get free tuition fees for this programme.
All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website and you can check whether you’re going to be able to access funding by entering your National Student Number.
If you can access it, we’ll organise your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission when you’re enrolled to study with us. This funding doesn’t include additional costs or living costs.
Additional costs
During your induction day, you will have the opportunity to purchase your full uniform from Otago Polytechnic's 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 - see the Student Loan and Allowance section below). You may already have some or all of the required uniform and equipment.
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.
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).
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.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Application
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, and 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.
