Cookery Courses in New Zealand For International Students

Want to turn your passion for food into a career?

New Zealand offers cookery and culinary courses from beginner certificates to advanced diplomas and degrees. 

In this guide, we'll compare chef courses, costs, entry requirements and career options. 

We'll also explain what studying cookery could mean for your work and migration options.

Why study to become a chef in New Zealand?

New Zealand gives you a chance to learn in a diverse food culture influenced by Māori, Pacific, European and Asian cuisines.

Depending on your course, you can:

• train in commercial kitchens

• learn professional cookery and food safety

• develop menu planning and food costing skills

• build kitchen management and leadership skills

• progress from beginner cookery to advanced culinary study

You can also choose from different qualification levels based on your experience and career goals.

Chef courses are available from Level 3 certificates through to Level 7 degrees. NZQA currently lists the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery at Levels 3 and 4 and the New Zealand Diploma in Culinary Practice at Level 5. (NZQA)

Your starting point depends on your previous study, kitchen experience and career goals.

• New to cookery? Consider a Level 3 or Level 4 certificate.

• Already have cookery skills? A Level 5 diploma can help you develop more advanced culinary and leadership skills.

• Want culinary and business skills? Consider a Level 7 degree.

• Already have a degree or relevant experience? Postgraduate hospitality or gastronomy study may be an option.

Not sure where to start?

An IDP counsellor can look at your previous study, experience and career goals. We can then help you compare chef courses and find the right study level.

Chef and culinary courses are available through universities, institutes and specialist culinary schools across Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Palmerston North and Wellington.

*Course availability, names, intakes and entry requirements can change. Speak with an IDP counsellor for the latest course information and help to compare options available to international students.

The best cookery course depends on what you want to specialise in and where you want your career to go. 

Some courses focus purely on cooking, while others add baking, hospitality or kitchen management skills.

• Cookery & Bakery: A good starting point if you want broader kitchen skills before deciding where to specialise.

• Cookery: Best if your main goal is to work as a cook or chef. Higher levels build more advanced techniques and commercial kitchen skills.

• Cookery & Kitchen Management: Suited to students who already have cookery skills and want to move towards supervising a kitchen. It adds skills such as kitchen operations, costing and team management.

• Hospitality, Cooking & Baking: Gives you broader hospitality skills beyond the kitchen. This can suit you if you want experience across food preparation and customer-facing hospitality.

• Baking & Patisserie: Best if you want to specialise in bread, pastries, desserts and other bakery products.

Not sure which pathway fits your goals? An IDP counsellor can help you compare course content, study levels and career outcomes before you apply.

International tuition fees for cookery courses vary by provider, qualification and study level. Here are some examples: 

You may also need to budget for course materials, uniforms, kitchen equipment, student fees and living expenses.

Want a more accurate cost for your course? An IDP counsellor can help you compare current tuition fees and find scholarships you may qualify for.

Entry requirements depend on your course and study level. For example:

• Level 5 diplomas: Usually require a Level 4 cookery qualification or equivalent. Relevant study or industry experience may also be considered. 

• Level 7 bachelor's degrees: Usually require an academic qualification equivalent to New Zealand University Entrance.

• Previous experience: Relevant work, study or life experience may be considered through alternative entry or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Good to know: RPL could give you credit for skills you already have. Depending on the provider and course, previous cookery study or industry experience may count towards your qualification and reduce how much you need to study. 

Not sure if you qualify?

An IDP counsellor can check your academic background and English score against different chef courses.

IELTS requirements generally increase with the level of your cookery course. Level 4 and Level 5 courses commonly require IELTS 5.5 overall, while degree-level study may require IELTS 6.0 overall. Minimum scores for each skill may also apply.

These are general examples. Your exact English requirement will depend on your course and provider, and equivalent English tests may also be accepted.

Book IELTS

Prepare for IELTS

Your application process will depend on your course and institution.

In general, you will:

1. Choose your chef course and study level.

2. Check the academic and English requirements.

3. Prepare your application documents.

4. Apply to your chosen institution.

5. Accept your offer if successful.

6. Prepare your Student Visa application.

IDP can help you from course search to application

You don't have to compare every course on your own.

Our education counsellors can help you find chef courses, compare institutions and fees, check entry requirements, find scholarships and prepare your course application.

Your options depend on your qualification and experience.

NZQA says the Level 3 Certificate in Cookery is designed for junior roles supporting chefs, while the Level 4 qualification develops professional cookery skills. The Level 5 Diploma in Culinary Practice prepares graduates for positions of responsibility in professional kitchens. (NZQA)

It can be part of your pathway, but studying a chef course does not guarantee PR.

What happens after graduation depends on the qualification you complete, the job you find, your work visa options and the residence requirements you meet.

It’s also important to know that work visa and PR pathways have different rules.

Some chef roles are recognised for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), but this does not automatically make them eligible for a Green List residence pathway.

Planning your study with migration in mind?

Your course is only one part of the picture.

Our IDP education counsellors can help you compare courses based on your study and migration goals.

Can international students study cookery in New Zealand?

Yes. International students can study cookery and culinary programmes offered to international students by approved New Zealand education providers.

Can I study cookery in New Zealand without experience?

Yes. Some entry-level cookery certificates are suitable for people who are new to the industry. Higher-level courses may require previous study or relevant experience.

How long is a chef course in New Zealand?

An entry-level certificate can take around six months, while Level 4 and Level 5 courses commonly take around one year. A culinary bachelor's degree usually takes around three years.

How much does a chef course cost in New Zealand for international students?

International tuition fees can range from around NZ$12,000 for some certificates to NZ$35,000+ per year for higher-level study. Your actual fees depend on the institution and course.

What IELTS score do I need for a cookery course in New Zealand?

Some certificate and diploma courses may accept IELTS scores from around 5.0–5.5. Requirements vary by provider and qualification, so always check your specific course.

Can studying cookery lead to PR in New Zealand?

A cookery qualification does not guarantee PR. Your residence options depend on the work you move into after study and whether you meet the immigration requirements for a residence pathway.