New Zealand Certificate in Food and Beverage Service (Level 3)
Gain the essential skills needed for working in the bar and café sector of the hospitality industry. Our on-site cafe and restaurant training facilities will enable you to gain important hands-on experience which you can then put into practice during an industry work experience placement.
Domestic
July
About the programme
Energy and enthusiasm are essential qualities when you work in the hospitality industry.
This hands-on programme is your first step towards a career in the largest industry in the world, with endless job opportunities across New Zealand and the globe.
By learning in a practical way in our on-site training cafes and restaurant, you'll gain valuable work-ready skills for front-line service in the café and bar sector.
You'll also do a work experience placement which will allow you to further build your practical skills and contacts.
When you finish the programme successfully, you'll be able to join the hospitality industry at entry level as a qualified food and beverage attendant.
International
July
About the programme
Energy and enthusiasm are essential qualities when you work in the hospitality industry.
This hands-on programme is your first step towards a career in the largest industry in the world, with endless job opportunities across New Zealand and the globe.
By learning in a practical way in our on-site training cafes and restaurant, you'll gain valuable work-ready skills for front-line service in the café and bar sector.
You'll also do a work experience placement which will allow you to further build your practical skills and contacts.
When you finish the programme successfully, you'll be able to join the hospitality industry at entry level as a qualified food and beverage attendant.
What You Study
Overview
You will spend 70% of your time in an applied, directed learning situation and 30% with self-directed study.
You will learn how to describe and apply basic service operations in the food and beverage sector to meet industry requirements and understand the hospitality work environment. This covers professional café and bar service, including counter and table service, food preparation, cocktails, and bar service with barista knowledge, and you'll train in real and simulated work experience situations.
Our on-site training facilities include Manaaki—our training restaurant, Eden Café, and AKO—our student-operated café. You'll also do an industry work experience placement.
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 and café environment. These include, but are not limited to, burns from hot liquids or hot objects and cuts from sharp instruments.
Further study options
Progress into our New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3) to advance your skills and increase your employment opportunities.
Entry
Skills needed to work in this area
- Good communication
- A good work ethic
- Maturity and honesty
- The ability to work well under pressure
- Confidence when dealing with customers.
Entry requirements
- Open entry.
- International students will be individually assessed to ensure they are ready for this study.
English Language requirements
- 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 internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Under 18?
- Alcohol tasting and consumption is part of this programme and may be a risk for some people.
- To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our learners, and in compliance with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, you must get parental consent if you're under 18. Risks will be outlined in more detail during the programme.
- If you're under 18 and want to chat about your best options, please get in touch with us. It may be that we recommend you begin your learning with us in another programme and then move into this one.
Consumption of alcohol is NOT a compulsory part of the course and other methods of identifying and obtaining knowledge of products can easily be employed on request.
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
Additional costs
During your induction day, you have the opportunity to purchase your full uniform from Otago Polytechnic's preferred supplier. You should expect to spend approximately $250 on additional programme-specific equipment. This will be covered by the 'Course-Related Costs' section of your student loan (if you are eligible - see Student Loans and Allowances section below).
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 if this programme offers a part-time study option.
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.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
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.
