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Culinary

Full-time S6 or above Diploma

Programme Code HT113301

Diploma in International Culinary Arts (QF Level 3)

Programme Edges

Career Potential Development

Enables students to develop professional skills, attitudes and knowledge of international culinary arts as a professional chef and to improve their career potential.

Clear Academic Paths

Students who have successfully completed the programme may articulate to the Higher Diploma programmes offered by the VTC Hospitality Discipline.

Career Potential Development

Enables students to develop professional skills, attitudes and knowledge of international culinary arts as a professional chef and to improve their career potential.

Clear Academic Paths

Students who have successfully completed the programme may articulate to the Higher Diploma programmes offered by the VTC Hospitality Discipline.

Basic Information

The programme provides training of trade-specific skills, knowledge of traditional and contemporary culinary arts for students who wish to pursue a career in culinary arts within the catering industry.

Enables students to develop professional skills, attitudes and knowledge of international culinary arts as a professional chef and to improve their career potential.

Provides students with opportunities to explore their career development and enhance their competitiveness as well as employability while becoming life-long learners.

Enriches students’ learning experience through “Culinary Exchange”, which includes industry visits, culinary student exchanges, culinary competitions and activities on culinary experience with local or other international regions.

Click here to view a video to learn more about the programme (in Cantonese)

Mode of Study Full-time

Duration of Study 2 Years

Offering Campus(es) / Venue(s)

International Culinary Institute¹

Professional Recognition

Students who study food preparation and catering programmes are required to take the food hygiene and safety module. Students who have attained the specified score or above at the relevant examination will be awarded the “Basic Food Hygiene Certificate for Hygiene Managers” which is recognised by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in Hong Kong.

Graduates of Diploma in International Culinary Arts (QF Level 3) who have at least one-year post-qualification work experience and minimum 22 years of age can sit for the “Certified Cook” Trade Test that is jointly offered by the International Culinary Institute and the Education Centre of the Hospitality Industry for Business & Management, Koblenz, Gastronomisches Bildungszentrum Koblenz e.V., IHK-Akademie Koblenz e.V. Successful candidates will be awarded “Certified Cook”.

QF Level

QF Level: 3
QR Registration No.: 18/000763/L3
Validity Period: 01/10/2018 - 31/08/2026

Remarks

Class and training venues include but not limited to International Culinary Institute, VTC Pokfulam Complex, VTC Kowloon Bay Complex, Chinese Training Restaurant and Western Training Restaurant at Pokfulam, The T Hotel, Training Café and Western Training Restaurant at Kowloon Bay.

Notes

Medium of Instruction: English supplemented with Chinese (Cantonese).
Students may be required to attend classes on other VTC campuses. VTC reserves the right to cancel any programme, revise programme title, content or change the offering institute(s) / campus(es) / class venue(s) if circumstances so warrant.
Students enrolling for this programme must maintain the health standards required of a food handler throughout the duration of training. This encompasses taking a medical check, at students’ own expenses, which includes chest X-ray, urine routine, stool routine, stool culture, hepatitis A virus Ab lgG.
For students who have a negative hepatitis A virus antibody result, a vaccine is recommended.
Students are required to have a medical check, purchase and wear the designated uniform and shoes where applicable, at their own costs. Institute reserves the right not to admit students who fail to follow this clause.
Items listed in the curriculum are key modules only, more modules are included in the programme.
Upon completion of the food hygiene and safety module, students may sit for the “Level 2 Award in Food Safety and Hygiene” examination offered by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), UK at their own expense. Successful candidates will be awarded a certificate.
The programmes are geared to prepare students for employment after graduation. Graduates may articulate to Professional Certificate / Professional Diploma programmes after having accumulated work experiences in the industry. For enquiries, please call the Institutes at 2538 2200.

Entrance Requirements

Completion of Secondary 6 (under the New Senior Secondary academic structure); OR
Completion of Secondary 5 with a pass in the HTI / CCI / ICI bridging course; OR
Completion of 2-year Certificate programmes offered by HTI / CCI / ICI; OR
Equivalent

Articulation / Employment

Articulation

Students who have successfully completed the Diploma programmes offered by the Hospitality Discipline may articulate to Higher Diploma programmes offered by the Discipline. Offering of study place is subject to the applicants' relevant English language qualification and interview performance.

Career Prospects

Upon graduation, graduates may start their careers in operative positions like Junior Chef in high-end restaurants, hotels, resorts, and private clubs. By accumulating relevant experience in the industry, they may advance to supervisory positions such as Chef de Partie, Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine, and Executive Chef.

Curriculum

Introduction to Baking and Pastry
Culinary Fundamentals
Butchery
Charcuterie
Cuisines of Europe
Cuisines of the Mediterranean
Cuisines of Asia
Menu Development
Culinary Management
Gastronomic Design
Vocational English & Putonghua
Integrated Learning Experience*

Remarks

Depending on the job nature and study programme, the Integrated Learning Experience will be arranged at an appropriate time during the period of study.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the AY2025/26 is listed below for reference. The tuition fees for AY2026/27 will be announced at a later stage.

1st Year Tuition Fees (HK$)

$17,620

2nd Year Tuition Fees (HK$)

$12,765

Remarks

The study duration of Diploma programmes in International Cuisine is normally 2 years. The tuition fee is payable in two installments each year.
In addition to tuition fees, students will be required to pay other fees, such as caution money and students’ union annual fees. Students of Diploma programmes in hotel-and-tourism, Chinese Cuisine and International Cuisine will be required to purchase uniform, shoes or reference books where applicable.
Some students may be required to study bridging modules or enhancement programmes to support their study; or to attend additional training, industrial attachments, public examinations for which separate fees will be charged.
Tuition fees are subject to annual review. The tuition fee levels for 2nd Year will be reviewed subject to inflationary adjustments and other relevant factors.
The information listed above is only applicable to local students.