Culinary Arts - Cork
The culinary arts make a significant contribution to the worldwide hospitality and tourism industries. The key aim is to develop a well-educated graduate with the ability to learn and adapt to meet new challenges in both their education and professional development. We have a strong emphasis on student centred learning, using methods which include formal lectures, tutorials, visiting lecturers, site visits, and both individual and team project work.
| Award Name | Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Munster Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) | Major | Munster Technological University | Level 7 NFQ |
Duration
3 Years (6 Semesters).
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Score the necessary CAO points and meet Leaving Certificate Minimum entry requirements
5 Subjects
Subjects O6/H7 5
Subjects H5 0
Maths Grade O6/H7
English or Irish Grade O6/H7
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Minimum entry requirements may be satisfied by the results of more than one Leaving Certificate. The minimum entry requirements may be varied for non-standard applicants and holders of QQI-FET awards.
2nd Chance Maths Exam
Some students who apply for MTU courses may not achieve the required entry standard in Maths through the Leaving Certificate examination. For such applicants, the University offers a second chance to reach the required entry standard through a MTU Maths Exam.
This second chance facility allows applicants (depending on their results in the MTU Maths Exam) to gain entry to courses with an Ordinary Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard and (with a higher level of performance) courses with a Higher Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard.
Common Bonus Points Scale for Higher Level Maths
A bonus of 25 points is awarded to applicants who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level (HL) Maths.
Formula:
All students presenting H6 or above in HL Maths will have 25 points added to their score for Maths.
The six highest subject points scores will then be counted to achieve a cumulative points score, as is normal practice. The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the subject HL mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.
Foundation Maths
A minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths fulfils the minimum entry requirements in Maths for the following programmes
MT 541 Bachelor of Business
MT 571 BA in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 574 BA in Social Care
MT 654 HC in Arts in Hospitality Studies
MT 655 HC in Arts in Culinary Studies
MT 941 Bachelor of Business (Honours)
MT 971 BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 974 BA (Honours) in Social Care
Maths is not required for entry to:
MT 575 BA in Community Development
MT 572 BA in Early Childhood Education & Care
MT 820 BA (Honours) in Contemporary Applied Art (Ceramics, Glass, Textiles)
MT 821 BA (Honours) in Fine Art
MT 822 BA (Honours) in Photography with New Media
MT 823 BA (Honours) in Visual Communications
MT 931 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Guitar
MT 932 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Bass Guitar
MT 933 BA (Honours) on Poplular Music - Keyboards
MT 934 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Drums
MT 935 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Voice
MT 936 BA (Honours) in Music
MT 938 BA (Honours) in Musical Theatre
MT 939 BA (Honours in Theatre and Drama Studies
Although not a requirement, if an applicant achieves a minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths this grade is recognised for entry and CAO points are awarded as follows: F1 = 20 points, F2 = 12 points.
Full details of minimum entry requirements for courses are outlined in the relevant course webpage. Applicants are advised to check the relevant subjects, tests, portfolios, and dates very carefully. In particular, there are early assessment procedures for some courses.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Holders of the LCVP apply in the normal way through the CAO. Points are awarded on the same basis as for the Leaving Certificate. The link modules ‘subject’ may not be used to meet the minimum entry requirements.
LCVP Grade Points
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The LCA subjects do not meet the minimum requirements for entry to MTU full-time courses. Holders of Leaving Certificate Applied qualifications may wish to proceed to a FET-QQI course and in turn apply to third level on the basis of their FET-QQI award.
Careers / Further progression
Further Studies
Suitably qualified graduates are eligible to apply for entry to the one year add-on:
• Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Culinary Entrepreneurship or
• Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Hospitality Management
Honours degree holders who achieve the specified level of academic performance are eligible to apply for a postgraduate course of study, both at MTU and at other third level colleges in Ireland and abroad.
Career Opportunities
Graduates work in a range of diverse organisations of the food sector, ranging from senior chefs in 5 star hotels, gourmet restaurants, stylish bistros to catering and events companies and food product companies, along with food education. Many graduates go on to establish their own business. A culinary arts degree provides a wide array of opportunities to work in other countries in both culinary and food related fields.
• Hotels and restaurants
• Food marketing & product development
• Pastry & confectionary
• Training & education
• Food writing & styling
• Culinary manager in the industrial sector
Further information
32
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Overview
The culinary arts make a significant contribution to the worldwide hospitality and tourism industries. The key aim is to develop a well-educated graduate with the ability to learn and adapt to meet new challenges in both their education and professional development. We have a strong emphasis on student centred learning, using methods which include formal lectures, tutorials, visiting lecturers, site visits, and both individual and team project work.
Students study modules such as Culinary Arts Principles, Larder & International Cuisine, Food Safety, Creativity, IT, Management, Kitchen Design, Wine Appreciation, Operations and Business subjects. The work placement is an intrinsic part of the programme in terms of developing the students understanding of the organisation and its procedures, as it gives experience in a real-life setting. It is supported by a staff member, who works with a workplace mentor, to ensure that each student achieves their maximum potential.
The Tourism and Hospitality building is one of the foremost in the country and includes modern production kitchens, IT laboratories, a demonstration theatre, training restaurants, training bar and fully equipped classrooms.
In the past, students under the guidance of an experienced academic staff member, have won prestigious titles such as the “Knorr Chef of the Year”, TV3’s “Head Chef”, and the “Dunhill Cuisine Award for Best Commercial Food Product”. With their tutors’ guidance, students also regularly compete in competitions such as AEHT, CATEX, and Eurotoque and have successfully won prizes in all of these competitions.
First Year at a Glance:
• Culinary Operations, Larder and International Cuisine
• The importance of food safety principles
• Introduction to Information Technology (IT)
• Learn about kitchen design and sustainability
• A knowledge of business calculations in the hospitality sector
• Develop the skills to manage catering and culinary businesses
• Build the skills and knowledge to manage the ‘front of house’ side of restaurants
• Learning about food and the food developed in various cultures
• Industry placement
Question Time
What is the difference between Culinary Arts and Culinary Studies?
Culinary Arts provides a broad range of learning which combines the skills of business management with the skills of culinary activity. This provides an ideal combination of skills for the successful operation of many food related business enterprises.
Culinary Studies is a course more specifically designed for those who aspire to be chefs and it therefore focuses on the key skills required by chefs at all kitchen levels, in larger or smaller operations.
How long is the work placement?
There is a mandatory work placement over the entire summer at the end of year 1.
Is it possible to open your own business with this qualification?
Quite a number of graduates have opened their own businesses such as restaurants or food service companies, or have gone on to develop and produce a food product for retail sales.
Catherine O’Mahony
T: +353 (0)21 433 5842
E: catherine.omahony@mtu.ie