South East Technological University
BA (Hons) in Culinary ArtsWaterford, Ireland
DEGREE TYPE
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Scholarships
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Introduction
What is the BA (Hons) in Culinary Arts Course?
This course in BA (Hons) in Culinary Arts is a full-time, four-year, level 8 program of innovative and dynamic culinary study. It is a revision of traditional culinary skills training to include several other disciplines such as food innovation, media and visual arts, food policy, specialty food production, sustainable practices, and gastronomy.
The curriculum has been designed to bring students into the worlds of interdisciplinary learning, research, and inquiry and the emphasis is less on training and more on holistic development so that graduates will elevate current industry practices to a new dimension both regionally and nationally. Graduates will be empowered to become self-starters with passion and entrepreneurial traits.
International and Industrial Experience
Central to the degree is a year combining international study and international work experience. In Year 3 of the program, students study for a semester at one of our partner colleges in Canada, France, Northern Ireland, Spain, The Netherlands, or the USA. They also spend a semester on international work placement in a country of their choice. This opportunity offers our students first-hand experience of international standards and best practices in culinary operations and equips them with the skills necessary to be highly effective in the global workplace.
Interdisciplinary study
This course offers an interdisciplinary study of social, human, and culinary sciences and will encourage students to think about the future of gastronomy, encouraging them to explore the connection between environmental consciousness and creativity, politics and food production, the media and culinary arts, among other things.
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1
Semester 1
- Critical and Creative Thinking
- Food Safety & Technology
- Fundamentals Of Culinary Skills
- Introduction to Gastronomy
Choose one of the following electives:
- Introduction to Business Management
- Language
Semester 2
- Development of Culinary Skills
- Development of Modern International Gastronomy
- Nutrition & Scientific Principles
- Information & Communication Technology for Culinary, Hospitality & Tourism
Choose one of the following electives:
- Organizational Behaviour
- Language
Year 2
Semester 3
- Financial Accounting
- Advanced Culinary Skills
- Food Analysis for Culinary Arts
Choose one of the following electives:
- Marketing for Culinary Business Enterprises
- Entrepreneurship
- Language
Semester 4
- Costing and Budgeting for Culinary Arts
- Culinary Operations Practice
- Food Microbiology for Culinary Arts
- Food, Energy & Sustainable Practices in Culinary Arts
Choose one of the following electives:
- Research Methodology
- Costing and Budgeting for Culinary Arts
- Language
Year 3
Semester 5
- Academic study abroad or Industrial Placement
Semester 6
- Academic study abroad or Industrial Placement
Year 4
Semester 7
- Contemporary Food Policies
Choose one of the following electives:
- Advanced Culinary Applications
- Classical & Contemporary Cuisine
- Advanced Culinary Applications: Pastry & Confectionary 1
Choose one of the following electives:
- Food Innovation 1 (15 Credits)
- Media & Visual Arts 1: Writing about Food (5 Credits) and Artisan / Speciality Food Production (10 Credits)
Semester 8
- European Food Regulatory Affairs
Choose one of the following electives:
- Specialist Culinary Applications: Specialised Kitchen & Larder
- Specialist Culinary Applications Pastry & Confectionary 2
Choose one of the following electives:
- Food Innovation 2 (15 Credits)
- Media & Visual Arts 2: Food Imagery, Promotion & Design (5 Credits) and Artisan / Specialty Food Production (10 Credits)
Career Opportunities
The interdisciplinary nature of study equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to establish a career path in the culinary sector and increased flexibility to work in varied employable sectors such as:
- Management positions within the hospitality sector, such as specialist chef, chef de parties, and sous chef
- Marketing and promotion
- Entrepreneurship in creative food technology and development industries
- Food product innovation centers
- Artisan food production units
- Food promotion
- Education and training;
- Event catering and food and beverage retail management
- In the domain of food styling
- Food and related journalism
Students who have reached the appropriate honors standard may have access to a range of Masters's Degreeatin SETU Waterford and elsewhere.
Facilities
Why study at South East Technological University
Discover SETU: Your Gateway to Global Success
Embark on a transformative journey at South East Technological University (SETU), a contemporary European university nestled in the southeast of Ireland, a nation renowned for its dynamic economy and global influence. At SETU, we mirror Ireland’s forward-thinking spirit, providing a launchpad for your future in one of the world’s most hospitable countries. (SETU is a regional powerhouse with campuses spread across the southeast, with international students studying on our Carlow, Waterford, and Wexford campuses. With over half a century of experience in higher education, research, innovation, and collaboration, SETU nurtures a thriving community of over 18,000 students, supported by a dedicated team of more than 1,500 staff. Our vision is to expand our reach and impact even further in the next decade.
Our university boasts cutting-edge research facilities and strong ties with leading global corporations. We are dedicated to helping you turn your dreams into reality. Our campuses offer a vibrant, manageable environment, rich with diverse cultural experiences. Here, every student is given the tools to excel academically and flourish personally.
SETU’s research prowess is recognised both in Ireland and globally, laying a solid foundation for future growth. We are committed to equipping students with the skills they need to excel in the competitive job market. International students can select from a variety of career-focused programmes, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and foundation qualifications.
SETU provides a range of services and facilities, from academic support to recreational amenities. Our university is a hub of activity with numerous clubs and societies and is renowned for its excellence in competitive sports.
Our Carlow campus, located 85km from Dublin and 97km from Dublin Airport, is surrounded by the quintessential Irish countryside, complete with mountain trails, forests, and ancient monastic sites.
The Waterford campus, 170km from Dublin and 177km from Dublin Airport, is situated in Ireland’s oldest city, a perfect blend of the old and the new, It's a city bursting with life and historic streets to explore.
At SETU, we foster an inclusive campus environment where students form lifelong friendships while achieving academic milestones. It’s the beginning of an exciting journey for those aspiring to build successful careers in fields like business, law, humanities, science, sport, or engineering.
Academic Disciplines and Programmes
International students can choose from a wide array of programmes, spanning foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate qualifications. SETU offers programmes and conducts research across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, including:
- Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry
- Architecture
- Arts and Social Sciences
- Built Environment
- Business
- Computing
- Early Years Education
- Engineering
- Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts
- Law
- Media, Design and Music
- Science
- Sport Management
- Sport Science
International Foundation Programme
International students can enrol in our certificate programme, Preparation for Higher Education. This programme equips students with the fundamental knowledge and skills required for higher education. Students receive English language tuition, as well as education in mathematics, IT, and a field of their interest. The modules available are:
- English for Professional Communication
- Information Technology
- Learning to Learn
- Introductory Maths
- Management
- Engineering Science
- Computer Systems
This programme provides a valuable opportunity to explore degree-level studies and make informed choices. Upon completion, students can pursue a degree course in the following academic year.
International Office
We have a dedicated international team ready to support international students. At the beginning of the year, international students attend an induction/orientation programme. This is a great opportunity to meet other international students and learn about the dedicated support available at SETU.