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Culinary Industry Management

BBA (Hons)

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • Three years full-time, on campus


    UCAS code: D690

  • Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year


    UCAS code: D691
Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck campus and Le Cordon Bleu, central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | On campus | with Foundation Year

Key information for 2027-28

Start date:
October 2027
Study route:

  • Three years full-time, on campus


    UCAS code: D690

  • Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year


    UCAS code: D691
Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck campus and Le Cordon Bleu, central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | On campus | with Foundation Year

Course Overview

This BBA Culinary Industry Management is jointly delivered by Birkbeck and the renowned Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute and is the only one of its kind in the UK. It provides you with a firm foundation in culinary techniques while you also learn essential management and development skills required of chefs and managers in food businesses today.

  • Why choose this course?
    • It is highly respected nationally and internationally, and we work with a growing list of employers including the Savoy, Maybourne Hotel Group, Umbel Restaurant Group, Hyatt Hotels, Galvin Restaurants, Corinthia London and The Wolseley Hospitality Group. 
    • It offers you an internship at the end of your first year with a leading professional provider, including from some of those listed above.  
    • You will benefit from the reputation of Birkbeck as an internationally recognised centre of excellence in teaching, research and consultancy in the broad field of management. 
    • You will also benefit from the reputation of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute as an internationally recognised leader in the teaching of culinary arts.

  • What will I learn?

    This degree combines the study of culinary arts and hospitality with the study of business and management. You will be taught by the academic teams at Birkbeck and Le Cordon Bleu who have extensive experience of teaching, researching and working in the culinary and hospitality industries. Your learning will combine theory, industry understanding and hands-on experience as we prepare you for a successful career in a dynamic and evolving industry.

  • How will I learn?

    This course is available to study full-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.  

    In Year 1, the culinary classes at Le Cordon Bleu are from 3.00pm until 9.30pm. 

    During the course, you will gain further insight and experience visiting food service operations and hearing from guest speakers from the culinary and hospitality industries.  

  • How often will I attend classes?

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

  • Foundation Year

    If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

    Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main full-time degree. 

  • 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

  • Le Cordon Bleu has a team of classically trained Master Chefs and wine and hospitality professionals. Its London centre has state-of-the-art facilities for the delivery of its culinary courses. 
  • Birkbeck and Le Cordon Bleu are members of the Institute of Hospitality. Free membership is available to students on this course. 
  • Birkbeck is part of the University of London and is located in the heart of London, in Bloomsbury. Le Cordon Bleu is within close proximity to Birkbeck enabling students to move between both sites easily. 
  • 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.

Visit the school

Entry Requirements

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.

  • Full-time study - how many UCAS points do I need?
    • Three years full-time: 96-112 points (e.g. A-levels CCC-BBC)
    • Four years full-time with Foundation Year: 64 points

    For full-time study on this course, you apply via UCAS. The UCAS tariff score applies if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth.

  • Part-time study

    For part-time study our standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

  • What GCSEs do I need?

    Applicants will normally be expected to have grade C or grade 4 in GCSE-level English and mathematics. Applicants who do not hold this level of qualification may be required to carry out a skills audit at a selection evening, which comprises mathematics and English.

  • 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.

Clearing for 2026 is open
Apply now

Fees

Three years full-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students: £18,500 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students: £19,320 per year

Four years full-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £18,500 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £18,500 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £19,320 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £19,320 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 our Fees Policy.

  • Birkbeck's Lifelong Learning Guarantee

    If you've studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a reduction on the tuition fee of this course.

  • Tuition fees and maintenance loans

    Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don't have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them.

    Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to help cover living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income.

    Find out more about tuition fee and maintenance loans, and the financial support available to help with your studies at Birkbeck. 

  • Can I apply for an international scholarship?

    We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. View Birkbeck's available scholarships.

  • Additional costs

    The first year of the BBA programme (the year following your foundation year, if opting for this route) involves practical classes and it is compulsory that you purchase a Le Cordon Bleu uniform for these sessions, which will cost approximately £90. You will be provided with a culinary manual in each term of your first year for the module Culinary Techniques. If lost, the cost of replacing one of these manuals is £45. 

    You must also purchase knives and a knife case to be used in your practical classes. The approximate cost for these items is £335. You will also be required to buy some other kitchen equipment. A full list will be provided to you, but will include items such as a kitchen thermometer, tasting spoon, spatula, whisk and electronic scales. These additional items should cost between £90 and £120 in total, depending on where you choose to purchase them.

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 successfully graduating from this BBA Culinary Industry Management, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including: 

  • entrepreneurial skills 
  • time management and organisation
  • leading teams
  • problem solving
  • collaboration and working in teams.

Our graduates have gone on to successful employment in the following roles, amongst others:

  • kitchen manager at a private members' club
  • head chef at a gastro pub
  • operations manager at an upscale dining operation
  • head of bakery production at a French patisserie company
  • talent leader at a food-to-go brand
  • owner of a café bar and food hall
  • quality lead in pastry at an artisan bakery company
  • assistant general manager at a high-end dining business.

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 via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses. For more detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to apply, visit our How to apply page.

  • How do I apply to study full-time (UCAS entry)?

    If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck you apply through UCAS. Use the Apply now button on this course page which will direct you to UCAS. There you will be prompted to sign in and create an account. You will have to give UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

    The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

  • Le Cordon Bleu registration

    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.

    This degree is taught collaboratively with Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute. In order to run the course it is necessary for Birkbeck to share your personal data with Le Cordon Bleu. Once you submit an application and your data is shared with Le Cordon Bleu, you will be considered to be a customer of both Birkbeck and Le Cordon Bleu. All data held by Le Cordon Bleu will be treated in line with their data-handling policies. A data-sharing agreement exists between Birkbeck and Le Cordon Bleu which requires your data to be transferred and stored securely. In order to submit an application and enrol (if offered a place) you must agree to Birkbeck sharing your data in this way.

  • When should I apply?

    We encourage you to apply as soon as possible for this course as it has limited places and, once these are full, we may have to close the course early.

    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.

    You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

  • How can I get help with my application?

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

  • International agents

    If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.

Study routes for Culinary Industry Management (BBA (Hons))

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.

Important: Applications to study part-time in 2027/28 will open in October 2026.

2026-27

Full-time

2027-28

Full-time