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Culinary Innovation Management

MSc

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, on campus

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus

Course overview

The MSc Culinary Innovation Management will prepare you to shape the future of the culinary industry with a creative, sustainable and entrepreneurial approach. It is jointly delivered by Birkbeck and Le Cordon Bleu London Culinary Arts Institute and emphasises innovation within the field of culinary arts and management.

  • Why choose this course?
    • This unique course is designed to develop future leaders in the culinary arts and hospitality industry. It combines the study of culinary arts, business and management in a global context with a focus on innovation, sustainability, customer experience and entrepreneurship.
    • You will be taught by Le Cordon Bleu London, a world-renowned network of educational institutions dedicated to providing the highest level of culinary and hospitality instruction through world-class courses.
    • You will also benefit from Birkbeck’s reputation as an internationally recognised centre of excellence in teaching, research and consultancy in the broad field of management.
    • This course is ideal if you are a graduate in a culinary or hospitality-related subject or have gained practical experience but no formal qualification yet in this subject. You may be a manager keen to build your understanding and skill set, or you may be seeking to transition to a culinary industry career. 

  • What will I learn?

    On this course we examine culinary innovation, customer experience management, and management and operational structure within a global context, with an emphasis on positive sustainable change and development within the business of food. 

    You will have the opportunity to acquire in-depth applied insight into the operations of service-oriented businesses through the use of restaurant-simulation software. You will actively participate in business decisions, drawing on key concepts of operations management and their underpinning theories to grow a restaurant business. You will gain skills in critically assessing scenarios to identify and solve tactical and strategic issues that may have an impact on customer relationships.

  • How will I learn?

    This course is available to study full- or part-time with classes taking place in the evening at either Birkbeck or Le Cordon Bleu. Le Cordon Bleu's teaching hours in the evening are from 6.30pm until 9.30pm. Some modules at Birkbeck may also offer classes in the afternoon.

    Classes consist of lectures and seminars, and you will also gain practical experience and current insights through case studies, industry professional guest speakers, field trips to different organisations and the use of restaurant management simulation software.

    Discover the career opportunities available by taking Culinary Innovation Management (MSc).

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Three to four day or evening classes a week, October to July

    Part-time: Two to three day or evening classes a week, October to July

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • This unique Master’s course combines the study of culinary arts, business and management in a global context with a focus on innovation, sustainability, customer experience and entrepreneurship. 
  • Le Cordon Bleu London is a world-renowned network of educational institutions dedicated to providing the highest level of culinary and hospitality instruction through world-class courses. The school combines innovation with creativity and tradition through its Bachelor's and Master's degrees in business that focus on the demands of a growing international hospitality industry. 
  • Birkbeck and Le Cordon Bleu are members of the Institute of Hospitality. Free membership is available to students on this course. 
  • Birkbeck is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in teaching, research and consultancy in the broad field of management. Our academic staff are active researchers as well as enthusiastic teachers, and regularly publish cutting-edge articles in the world's leading journals. 
  • We have particular research strengths in international business and strategy, the management of innovation and entrepreneurship, human resource management, corporate governance, sport management and marketing, as well as financial management and accounting. 
  • You will have access to Moodle and Engage, our online learning resources where all information and materials relating to your programme of study and modules are available, as well as the Birkbeck Library and e-Library. 

Modules and Teaching

Birkbeck Business School

The school is research-driven across a wide range of disciplinary themes with academic staff who create new knowledge, push boundaries and publish in leading academic journals.

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Entry requirements

Our standard entry requirements for postgraduate courses are a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, in any area of study.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £7,800 per year
Full-time home students: £15,600 per year
Part-time international students: £12,195 per year
Full-time international students: £24,390 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successful completion of this MSc Culinary Innovation Management you will have developed valuable transferable skills in:

  • communication, both verbal and written
  • teamworking and leadership
  • critical and creative thinking
  • innovative decision-making
  • research and analytics.

Recent graduates from this course have gone on to employment as the following:

  • general manager at a fine dining restaurant
  • owner of a French African patisserie concept
  • a catering and onboard concepts role with an airline operator
  • brand product developer at a confectionery brand
  • junior food development systems manager at a healthy food chain
  • senior account manager in agricultural production
  • sous chef in a Michelin star restaurant
  • junior menu planner for a recipe box delivery service.

Some of our graduates have also gone on to be employed by organisationsincluding the following:

  • Selfridge’s
  • Hello Fresh
  • Fortnum and Mason
  • Kricket Group
  • The Evolv Collection
  • HIDE Restaurant
  • British Airways
  • Monty Bojangles Co
  • Fundacion Gastronomia Social, Chile
  • Jones Food Company

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

  • When should I apply?

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

    Once you have been accepted onto this course, you will need to enrol at Birkbeck and also complete registration at Le Cordon Bleu at the very latest before the start of the second week of the course, otherwise you may forfeit your place on this course.

Related courses

Study routes for Culinary Innovation Management (MSc)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time