Diploma in Culinary Arts at University of Mpumalanga

Programme overview

The Diploma in Culinary Arts is a professional cookery qualification covering the theoretical and practical skills for a professional kitchen and a career as a chef in hospitality settings. Students learn cooking methods, kitchen equipment, recipe costing, stocks, soups, sauces and salads, nutrition and kitchen accounting.

Faculty: Faculty of Economics, Development and Business Sciences | Department: School of Hospitality and Tourism Management | Study mode: full-time | Location: Mbombela, Mpumalanga, South Africa

What you will study

A three-year structure with Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts and Garde Manger in theory and practice, Food and Beverage Studies, Cuisines of Africa, Food and Wine Pairing and Simulated Work Experience, then International Cuisine, Creativity and Entrepreneurship, Food and Media Studies and Culinary Operations Practice.

Career pathways

Cafe head chef, hotel, restaurant and industrial catering sous chef, catering and events junior sous chef, medical facility and rest home first cook; progression to executive chef, banquet chef, pastry chef or food production manager.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Minimum APS: 26. The minimum admission requirements for the Diploma in Culinary Arts are as follows:; National Senior Certificate (NSC):; Candidates should have a matric certificate with a Diploma endorsement and meeting the minimum admission requirements of a Level 4 (50 %+) in English Home Language as well as a Level 3 (40%+) in Mathematics or Level 4 (50%+) in Mathematical Literacy.; One additional language; Any other four modules; Minimum APS scores of 26 or more with Mathematics or APS scores of 27 or more with Mathematical Literacy.; National Certificate: Vocational (NCV) Level 4 in Hospitality:; English (50 – 59%); Mathematics or Technical Mathematics (30-39%) or Mathematical Literacy (40-49%); Food preparation as a vocational subject (50% or greater); RPL and CAT may be applied.

Main intake: February; first-year lectures started on 09 February 2026 with registration in January. Second semester registration runs 20 July to 31 July 2026. Master's and doctoral postgraduate orientation was held 04 to 08 May 2026.

Applications for advanced diplomas for 2027 close on 30 November 2026.

Applications for 2027 admission open on 01 June 2026. The non-refundable application fee is R200 for South African applicants, R400 for SADC applicants and R550 for other international applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://www.ump.ac.za/apply

Explore more study programmes

Business