Birkbeck, University of London
Culinary Industry Management with Foundation Year BBA (Hons)
Birkbeck, University of London

Key Course Facts

Course Description

This unique BBA Culinary Industry Management, jointly delivered by Birkbeck and the renowned Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute, provides you with a firm foundation in culinary techniques and the skills required to manage successful food businesses or to progress your career in the service industry.  

This culinary industry management degree allows you to address key concepts in the culinary arts while learning the project management and development skills required of managers in food businesses in the twenty-first century. You will also gain experience of a real food business work environment through an internship component. Some of the employers we have worked with include the Maybourne Hotel Group, The Ritz London, and Roka and Zuma.  

The course also enables you to develop your research and presentation skills together with your ability to design, develop and implement systems that assist in the successful operation of a food business. It encourages forward thinking and the ability to develop ideas that may provide a positive contribution to the changing needs of the global food industry and the environment in which it operates. Teaching on this London-based culinary management degree is equally split between Birkbeck and Le Cordon Bleu London.

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. Throughout the year, you will have the opportunity to engage with Le Cordon Bleu by attending culinary demonstrations and networking events.

Please note:  This is an academically rigorous course which is best suited to individuals who are looking to progress into a culinary/food service management role, while gaining an understanding of culinary arts techniques.  

Highlights

  • This unique BBA, which combines business and management content with modules in culinary arts and hospitality, is the only one of its kind in London.
  • Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute is an internationally recognised leader in the teaching of culinary arts, with 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 and its close proximity to Birkbeck enables 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.

Careers and employability

Graduates will be able to pursue career paths in areas such as:

  • new product and recipe development
  • concept development
  • food production management
  • food and beverage management
  • training
  • entrepreneurs setting up their own 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.

Examinations, including practical examinations for the culinary modules, and coursework in the form of essays, case studies, presentations, group-work tasks and in-class tests plus a final research project.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Minimum Required UCAS Tariff

The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you 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 within the UCAS tariff.

Qualification 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. You must be aged 18 or over when the programme starts to be considered.

As part of this course is taught on the Le Cordon Bleu campus, we are unable to accept applicants who are under the age of 18 at the start of the course.

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • Mphil / PhD

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.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Culinary Industry Management with Foundation Year, BBA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Culinary Industry Management with Foundation Year BBA (Hons)

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
International £17620 year 1

Additional fee information

To be confirmed

Average student cost of living in London

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

August 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • Foundation

UCAS application code:

D691

University Rankings

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Positions of Birkbeck, University of London in top UK and global rankings.

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About Birkbeck, University of London

List of 197 Bachelor and Master Courses from Birkbeck, University of London - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Birkbeck, University of London

undergraduates:
4800
postgraduates:
2810
Total:
7610
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Business and Management”: 1285 Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
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Where is this programme taught

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FAQ about Culinary Industry Management with Foundation Year BBA (Hons) Birkbeck, University of London

  • Tuition fees for this programme are 9250 per year for UK students. In addition to the tuition fees you should also take into consideration the average monthly cost of living for students in the UK.

  • Culinary Industry Management with Foundation Year BBA (Hons) is taught on campus and cannot be taken online at Birkbeck, University of London.