Culinary ArtsEalaíona Cócaireachta

Leaving Certificate Requirements

QQI/FET Requirements

In addition to the QQI minimum entry requirements, QQI quotas and QQI points apply. The max QQI points awarded is 390. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/qqi

Mature Applicants

Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/mature

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website.  

Course Description

Do you want to pursue a career in the culinary arts sector, and establish a base for further professional career development? In this course, you can acquire the practical skills and knowledge that you’ll need as a modern-day professional working in a kitchen environment.

This is a three-year course which has three main pillars of study and practice: Culinary Arts, Applied Food Science & Wellness, Food Culture- technology & learning. There is one elective option (Creative desserts & Bakery OR Artisan Breads). The unique embedded focus of 'health and wellness' within the course is integrated using an applied approach and 'hands-on' learning.

Work Placement Information

An industry placement of 16 weeks (approx. 400 hours) during and/or following Year 1 (but before starting Year 2) will give you lots of practical, real-world experience.

Graduate Job titles:

• Chef de Partie  (Pastry)
• Chef de Partie (Hot Kitchen)
• Sous-chef
• Product Development Chef
• Wellness Chefs
  
  

Graduate Employers:

• Conrad Hotel
• Fitzwilliam Hotel
• L’Ecrivain
• The Richmond
• Avoca
• Facebook
• Airbnb
• Tallaght Hospital
• Gather and Gather catering

Advanced Entry applications are accepted to this course. For further information on how to make an Advanced Entry application, please visit our CAO Hub. A full list of courses open for Advanced Entry are listed on the CAO website.

To qualify for Advanced Entry applicants must be currently studying, completing, or have successfully completed, studies at Level 6, 7 or 8 in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or an equivalent, in a related area. You must demonstrate by providing transcripts of results that you have achieved the learning outcomes for each stage you wish to advance past, for example:

• To enter Year 2 via Advanced Entry, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Year 1.
• For entry to Year 3, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1 and 2.
• For entry to Year 4, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1, 2, and 3.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website.

The reason I chose to go on to do this course was because I had completed my higher certificate the year before and had learned a great deal about food and I wanted to better myself and progress to do the Bachelor of Arts. I wanted to broaden my horizons and give myself more options. The course is very good and I can honestly say although this year has been challenging it has benefited me greatly.

The best thing about my course is that due to smaller numbers you have more one on one time with the lecturers and have better learning experiences. The lecturers have years of experience and are student focused. The best thing about being a TU Dublin student is that you have a great amount of support from the lecturers as they want to bring the best out of you.

The advice I would give to somebody considering applying for this course would be to think long and hard about why you are doing it, you have to do it for yourself and want it. I would take this course serious and to do your research before you commit to anything. That being said if you have a passion for food and want to learn more, are truly are passionate about our industry and want to better yourself this is the right course for you.

I enjoyed my years in College here at TU Dublin. I learned a whole lot, gained a ton of experience and will forever be thankful and privileged to have worked alongside and learnt from my lecturers. I look forward to bringing what I learned here out into the industry.

Megan Dowling

The Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts was an excellent course for setting me up for further development and progression in my career within the catering industry. The small class size coupled with the excellent standard of lecturers really allowed for an immersive learning environment in which to study and learn. Throughout the duration of the course strong relationships were built amongst the students as well as with the lecturers which was an excellent source of encouragement and support particularly in the group projects and in the lead up to examinations.

I am currently working full time as Head chef in a client based unit for Gather & Gather Ireland.

However, as a result of completing the New Product Development (NPD) module of the BA in Culinary Arts I have successfully launched a product for the retail market along with fellow classmate Gavin Cassidy. The product, a plant based sauce range, is now available in selected SuperValu stores through the Food Academy Programme. I am currently working on the product/brand development on a part time basis while Gavin works on it full time.

My role as head chef has become more rounded as a result of completing the BA in culinary arts by helping me; develop better communication skills with my team; by giving me a thorough understanding of technique and processes we use daily in the kitchen; gain more effective organizational skills and the methods by which to implement them; and by giving me an insight in to the management side of business including the importance of finances and being mindful of food waste and sustainability in the food sector.

On completion of the BA in Culinary Arts we were accepted on to the SuperValu Food Academy and as a result of the practical/theoretical work we completed in the NPD module of the culinary arts I feel we had an advantage over some of our potential competitors in the market place. It was noted by several mentors in the academy how well prepared we were entering the course, a real testament to the course and the content the curriculum covers.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at TU Dublin. I made friendships for life and the knowledge I learned will stand to me throughout my career. The college provides many great supports for students during their time on campus and afterwards as alumni of the college.

Eoin Lennon