Professional Chef Level 1/2/3
Professional Chefs Diploma Level 1: This programme is designed for those wanting a practical career where the development of professional cookery skills and knowledge can contribute towards a fulfilling career in the hospitality industry. Most of the time will be spent in our kitchens, pastry workshops and our public restaurants.
Students will undertake mostly practical work to develop skills. There will also be classroom activity, online learning, visits and assignments to supplement learning. There are coursework assessments throughout the year and two practical assessments at the end of the year.
Professional Chefs Diploma Level 2: This programme is very practical in nature and continues the development of professional cookery skills and associated knowledge learned in level 1. Whereas the Professional Chefs level 1 programme focuses on your understanding and skills development across cookery processes, level 2 refines skills across a broader range of commodities.
You will continue the development of skills through practical work. There will also be classroom activity, online learning, visits and assignments to supplement learning. There are coursework assessments throughout the year and two practical assessments at the end of the year.
Professional Chefs Advanced Diploma Level 3: This programme continues the development of professional cookery skills to an advanced level with associated knowledge. You will need to be well motivated and committed to a career in the catering industry.
Students will refine their skills through practical work in the patisserie, larder and production kitchens. Classroom activity will include dish innovation, restaurant and dish evaluation and online research. There are coursework and practical assessments throughout the year and two practical assessments at the end of the year.
In addition to your main programme, you will also engage in activities to develop your English, maths and employability skills.
Year 1 Course Content
Professional Chefs Diploma Level 1
The course comprises of 12 units, six of which are practical and six are industry focused, including:
- Food Safety
- Industry Structure
- Use of Equipment
- Team Work
The final assessments test skills and knowledge gained across all the units.
Year 2 Course Content
Professional Chefs Diploma Level 2
The course comprises of 14 units, eight of which are practical focused on developing skills against specific commodities. Other units cover:
- Healthy eating and special diets
- Kitchen Operations
- Costs and Menu Planning
- Applying workplace skills
There are coursework mock practical assessments throughout the year and two practical assignment assessments and a theory exam at the end of the year.
Year 3 Course Content
Professional Chefs Advanced Diploma Level 3
The course comprises 11 units, 6 of which are practical and designed to develop and refine technical skills. There are also 5 units covering areas such as:
- Sourcing Produce
- Gastronomy
- Supervising Food Safety
There are coursework mock practical assessments throughout the year and two practical assignment assessments and a theory exam at the end of the year.
Entry Requirements
Professional Chefs Diploma Level 1: 4 GCSEs (9-1) and an interview
Professional Chefs Diploma Level 2: Satisfactory completion of the Professional Chefs Diploma Level 1
Professional Chefs Advanced Diploma Level 3: Satisfactory completion of the Professional Chefs Diploma Level 2
Career Opportunities
Level 1: Employment as a commis chef in the hotel and catering industry, with the possibility of an accelerated career path.
Level 2: Employment as a chef in the hotel and catering industry, with the possibility of an accelerated career path.
Level 3: Employment as a chef in the hotel and catering industry, with the potential to rise to an accelerated career path.
Course Progression
Level 1: After completion of the Level 1 programme, students will progress to the Professional Cookery VRQ Level 2. Subject to suitability.
Level 2: Subject to suitability and successful completion of the level 2 Diploma. Students will progress to the Professional Chef Advanced Diploma Level 3.
Level 3: After completion of the Professional Chefs Intermediate Diploma Level 3 Programme students can progress onto the Professional Chef Advanced Diploma
All students aged 16-18 on the first day of their course will have their course fully-funded by the government.
Costs of studying
If you are/will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on the 31st August in the calendar year when you begin a programme of study, you DO NOT pay tuition fees, College registration fees or examination/board registration fees. However, there are some courses which have additional costs which could include:
- Equipment costs – such as uniforms, kits, books and so on
- Trips and enrichment activities
- DBS checks (formerly CRB checks)
- Occupational Health Screening
You will be informed of any additional costs associated with your chosen programme as early as possible to allow time for payment to be made.
Applicants thinking of enrolling on this course can apply for funding to help with the costs associated with attending college. Bursary awards can help with your course related costs such as travel, books and equipment and much more.
The bursary fund cannot provide help with costs unrelated to your course, such as general living expenses, nor can it be used as an attendance incentive.
Applications to the fund are not normally considered if the household income exceeds £30,000 but may be considered in some instances if the household is experiencing severe financial hardship.
| The 16-19 Bursary Fund is aimed at helping: |
| Students who are aged 16, 17 or 18 on the 31st August 2025 |
| Students aged 19 who started a two-year programme before their 19th birthday |
| Students aged 19 or over on 31st August 2025 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) |
When can I apply?
******Applications for student funding for learners who started in September 2024 are still open. Applications can be made from this page using the button below.
Applications for student funding for learners starting in September 2025 will not open until the end of June 2025*****
For courses starting in September 2024, applications should be made by 1st November 2024. If you find yourself in financial hardship after this date it is important that you still contact Student Services. Applications received after 1st November will be considered on a pro-rata basis subject to need and the availability of funds.
You are advised to read the notes and policies at the beginning of the form and ensure that you provide all the evidence that is required when submitting your application.
Full details of the bursary funds, including making an application, can be found here:
Aged 19+ - Fees and Funding
If you are aged 19 and over, in certain circumstances you may be eligible for a fee waiver and therefore you will not have to pay for your course.Â
Eligibility for a fee waiver will depend your age at the start of the course, your previous qualifications, your employment status and whether you claim certain benefits.
If you do not meet the criteria for a fee waiver, you may be eligible for some assistance from the College’s Bursary Funds, depending on the household financial circumstances.
If you do not meet the criteria for a fee waiver, and are not eligible for assistance from the Bursary Fund, you will have to pay for this course.
This programme may be free if you meet the eligibility criteria listed below. If these do not apply, you will need to pay a fee, and the published fee is located further down the course information page.Â
Level 1 - Do I have to pay a fee?
The information in this section applies to this course, and may not apply to other courses with different funding criteria.
| You will not pay tuition fees if you are: |
| aged 19-24 on the 31st August 2025 and have an active Education, Health and Care Plan |
| aged 19-23 and are required to undertake this level 1 qualification in order to progress onto level 2, provided you have not previously achieved a level 2 qualification in any other subject (or 5 GCSEs grades 9-4) by the start of the course |
| over 19, unemployed and in receipt of benefits |
| over 19, employed and have a gross annual salary under £25,000 per annum |
| If you are aged 19-23 and have previously achieved a Level 2 qualification, if you do not meet the low income or unemployment criteria you will not be eligible for a fee waiver |
| You will not meet the low income or unemployment criteria if you: |
| are aged over 19 at the start of the course, unemployed and are not in receipt of benefits |
| are aged over 19 at the start of the course, employed and have a gross annual salary over £25,000 per annum |
| Therefore you will pay tuition fees |
In certain circumstances, the College’s discretionary bursary fund maybe able to assist with a contribution towards tuition fees. Eligibility to the fund depends on the household’s financial circumstances. Further information regarding the discretionary bursary fund can be found further down this page.
Level 2 - Do I have to pay a fee?
The information in this section applies to this course, and may not apply to other courses with different funding criteria.
| You will not pay tuition fees if you are: |
| aged 19-24 at the 31st August 2025 and have an active Education, Health and Care Plan. |
| aged 19-23 and have not achieved a level 2 qualification in any other subject (or 5 GCSEs grades 9-4). |
| aged 19+ and employed, or self-employed and your annual gross income is below £25,000. |
| aged 19+, unemployed and not on benefits or in receipt of benefits with an income less than £892 a month or £1,437 a month with a joint benefit claim. |
| You will not meet the low income or unemployment criteria if you: |
| are aged 19-23 at the start of the course and have previously achieved a level 2 qualification or you are 19+, employed, or self-employed and your annual gross income is over £25,000. |
| Therefore you will pay tuition fees. |
In certain circumstances, the College’s discretionary bursary fund maybe able to assist with a contribution towards tuition fees. Eligibility to the fund depends on the household’s financial circumstances. Further information regarding the discretionary bursary fund can be found further down this page.
Level 3 - Do I have to pay a fee?
National Skills Level 3 Offer
The Lifetime Skills Guarantee gives adult learners (who will be studying for their first full Level 3 qualification) the opportunity to study a fully-funded course. It is part of the government’s National Skills Fund to help adults to gain the skills they need for employment, and to improve their job prospects.
Level 3 of this course offered at Colchester Institute is included in the Lifetime Skills Guarantee.
Level 3 will be free if you meet the eligibility criteria listed below. If these do not apply, you may need to pay a fee, and the fee is located further down the course information page. You can apply for a loan to cover all of your tuition fees.
As there is no direct entry onto Level 3 for this course you will need to enrol on a lower level to be able to progress to Level 3. Depending on your circumstances, this may also be fully funded by the government.
The information in this section applies to this course, and as such may not apply to other courses with different funding criteria.
| You will not pay tuition fees if you are: |
| aged 19-24 on the 31st August 2025 and have an active Education, Health and Care Plan. |
| aged 19+ and employed, or self-employed and your annual gross income is below £25,000. |
| aged 19+, unemployed and not on benefits or in receipt of benefits with an income less than £892 a month or £1,437 a month with a joint benefit claim. |
If you are aged over 19 and have studied this course at Level 2 with us previously (or at another training provider) and would like to enrol directly onto Level 3 please contact our Admissions Department, where candidates will be assessed on an individual basis prior to application.
| You will pay tuition fees if you are: |
| aged 19 and over at the start of this course and you are employed, or self-employed and your annual gross income is above £25,000. |
| Learners required to pay tuition fees can either self-fund (whereby you or your employer pays for the course) or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover all, or part, of the tuition fees for this course. The minimum loan you can get is £300, but the maximum will depend on how much the fees are and the type of course you take. |
For students with an identified low household income, there may be financial support available through the College’s discretionary bursary fund. Although the funds cannot be used to pay for course fees they can be used to contribute towards other course related costs such as travel, childcare, books and equipment.
Advanced Learner Loans
Am I eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan?
To qualify for an advanced learner loan to cover the fees for this course you must be:
- 19 years old or over on the first day of your course (there’s no upper age limit)
- A UK national or have ‘settled status’ (this means there are no restrictions on how long you can stay)
- Living in the UK on the first day of your course, and have lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three years immediately before this
Most learners that fall into this bracket will be eligible, it doesn’t depend on your household income and there’s no credit check!
If your nationality or residency status is different to the above, then please contact the national Advanced Learner Loan helpline on 0300 100 0619 or check the Advanced Learner Loan website where you will be able to find further information on eligibility.
How do I apply for an Advanced Learner Loan?
Once you have applied and been offered a place on the course, the college will provide you with a ‘learning and funding information letter’. These are normally sent out in early July.
You need this to complete the loan application and you cannot apply for a loan until you have received this.
Once you have applied for a loan and it has been approved you will receive an official letter from Student Finance England.
Am I eligible for a bursary?
Applicants thinking of enrolling on this course can apply for funding to help with the costs associated with attending college. Bursary funds are targeted at students where there is an identified low household income.
The bursary fund cannot provide help with costs unrelated to your course, such as general living expenses, nor can it be used as an attendance incentive.
Applications to the fund are not normally considered if the household income exceeds £25,000 but may be considered in some instances if the household is experiencing severe financial hardship.
If you are aged 19 at the start of the course, unemployed and not in receipt of benefits, or employed and earning over £17,374, you may be eligible for assistance with your tuition fees from the College Bursary fund.
If you are assessed as being eligible for a bursary award to assist with your tuition fees, the award will not exceed 75% of the fee payable and you will be responsible for paying the balance of the fee.
Students of all ages can apply for assistance from the bursary fund for other course related costs, such as transport, meals, books and equipment.
| The 16-19 Bursary Fund is aimed at helping: |
| Students who are aged 16, 17 or 18 on the 31st August 2022 |
| Students aged 19 who started a two-year programme before their 19th birthday |
| Students aged 19 or over on 31st August 2022 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) |
| If you do not meet the above criteria then you are likely to be eligible for support through either the: |
| 19+ Bursary Fund |
| or |
| Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund (for students paying Level 3 tuition fees for with an advanced learner loan)* *Awards from the Advanced Learner Loans Bursary Fund can only be made to students who have received an Advanced Learner Loan. If you do not intend to apply for an advanced learner loan or if your application has been unsuccessful you will not be eligible for an award from this particular fund. |
Funds are targeted at course related costs such as travel, childcare, books and equipment.
Regardless of income or employment status, students self-funding (including where an employer is covering course fees), are not eligible for financial assistance through any discretionary bursary funds.
When can I apply?
Bursary Fund applications for courses starting in the 2022/23 academic year will be open from June 1st 2022.
For courses starting in September 2022, applications should be made by 1st November 2022. If you find yourself in financial hardship after this date it is important that you still contact Student Services. Applications received after 1st November will be considered on a pro-rata basis subject to need and the availability of funds.
Payment Options
Payment should be made in full at the time of enrolment. Acceptable payment methods include Debit Card and Credit Card (excluding American Express). Please note that we are no longer able to accept cash or cheque payments.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, you can spread the cost of fees. Any student of the College who pays his/her own programme costs is entitled to do so on a monthly payment plan basis, providing the total course fees exceed £200 and the student is aged 19 years, or over, on 31st August in the current academic year.
Where total course fees exceed £200 you (or your employer, if they are paying your course fees) can choose to pay your fees in instalments through a monthly payment plan and 40% of the fee or £500 (whichever is lower) will be payable at enrolment.
The balance must be paid within 6 months or by the end date if the course is less than 6 months in duration.
The monthly instalment payments will also be set up at the point of enrolment, or if you are enrolling using our online enrolment process, a member of our Finance team will contact you to set up the instalment plan after you have submitted your online enrolment.
In order to pay through monthly instalments, students must sign the Colchester Institute Instalment Payment Plan terms and conditions!
If a student fails to sign up to an instalment plan at enrolment all fees will become due for payment within 30 days.
Failure to fulfil any terms and conditions of an instalment agreement will result in you becoming immediately liable for the full outstanding balance and you may not be entitled to pay any future fees by instalments.
Please download and save the form below, then fill it in and sign it. These forms can either be emailed to registry@colchester.ac.uk prior to enrolment, or if you are completing an online enrolment you can upload these documents during the enrolment process.
Further Education Fee Instalment Student Terms and Conditions
Employers who are funding a student’s fees must complete and sign an authorisation form which must be submitted either prior to or at enrolment together with an advance payment of 40% of the course fee or £500, whichever is lower. This can be paid via the online store prior to or at the point of Enrolment.
If the advance payment is not made prior to or at Enrolment the student will not be eligible to attend college.
Further Education Employer Authorisation Form, Instalment Plan, Terms and Conditions
How to make an Application – Watch our video guide!
****Applications for courses starting in September 2025 are now open!****
The application window for full-time courses and joint apprenticeship applications starting in September 2025 opens on Tuesday 1st October at 12pm.
Please see the information below, which provides details on things to be aware of before making an application, and what happens after you apply. We have also prepared a step-by-step video guide on how to make an application below – please view this video which will guide you through the application process.
Application Dos and Don'ts
Before submitting your online application, make sure you have got an email address which you will check frequently and which is professional and appropriate for this purpose, and use this when you create your account. Submit the application as early as possible and remember to make a note of your USERNAME and PASSWORD details! You will need these later.
Application Tips
If you have chosen the study programme you would like to apply for then you are almost there. We recommend that you read our handy application tips, watch our video and then make your application.
You can only apply for one full-time programme and one apprenticeship. You can do this together within the same application form, in what is known as a joint application.
Remember, you cannot study more than one core subject. For example, you would not be able to study two full-time programmes in different subjects simultaneously. You would take Plumbing or Music, not Plumbing and Music.
Your subject will be your primary qualification and forms the bulk of your programme of study.
Application Dos
- Apply as early as possible. We start accepting applications from 1st October 2024 and have set an initial deadline of 31st January 2025 for a priority application on your chosen programme (subject to you satisfying the entry requirements), although we still accept applications after this date but may not be able to guarantee you a place on your chosen programme.
- Think carefully about your course choice before you apply. Talk to your head of year or careers adviser at school to make sure you have explored all your options and have found a course that suits you best. You may wish to attend one of our open days to find out more before applying.
- Make sure you attend any interviews or assessments we invite you to. These are a mandatory part of our process. They give you the opportunity to find out more about our courses, as well as allowing us to make sure you are on the most appropriate course for you. Some courses may invite you to attend a second interview or audition to demonstrate your skills and to ensure you are on the most appropriate level for you.
- Please let us know if your contact details or address change. We will use a variety of letters, emails and texts to communicate with you throughout the process, and the information we provide is both confidential and vital to your application. If you move home or change your phone number and don’t inform us of any changes, you could miss some vital information.
Application Don’ts
- Do not make multiple applications. If you are unsure, for example, of which construction/trade subject you would like to study, please only make an application for one of them. Likewise, if you later wish you had applied for a different course, please don’t worry – we can change your application. Whatever the reason for wanting to change, there is no need to make another application.
- Do not use a school email address when you create your account. Remember, you will need to access this account later in the summer after you have left school.
- Do not create another account if you have previously applied. If you have applied in previous years, please do not create a new account. If you are unsure, contact us to check which username and password to use.
Just call us on 01206 712777
What Happens After I Apply?
What happens after I apply?
Once your application has been submitted our admissions team will complete some data checks
Once you have submitted your application form, a member of the Admissions team will check all of your details and your predicted (or actual) grades, including checking that you meet the published entry criteria for your chosen subject. They might email you to ask for more information.
Once your application has been checked, for most programmes you will receive an email asking you to log in to your account and book your interview. The interview is to determine that you have applied for the most suitable programme of study.
Make sure you check your emails regularly or you may miss your interview slot.
If you have applied for Music or Performing Arts we will email you with a date and time for an audition.
All communications will be sent by email, so please check them regularly or you may miss your opportunity to come in for your interview.
Interviews could be in person or they could be on the phone. This will be confirmed in the email, so please check your emails regularly so that you don’t miss important information about your interview.
When do interviews start?
Interviews for those who we have received an application from will start to take place after our Autumn Open Events. The earlier in the academic year an application is made, the earlier an interview can take place.
What happens at my telephone interview?
What happens at my telephone interview?
You will be asked to book a pre-arranged timeslot and you will need to be ready to answer your phones between the times stated. The call will come from either an 01206 number or it might show as withheld or unknown.
The interview is designed to let out teaching staff find out about you and your interest in the course. To prepare you might want to think about what you enjoy doing, why you have applied for this course, what subjects you expect to do well in (if you are still at school/college) and how you will manage your revision in readiness for any exams.
How will I know if have been offered a place?
Once you have had your interview / audition we will email you to let you know if you have an offer. Offers will be subject to you meeting the published entry requirements of the chosen programme, once GCSE results have been published and provided to the College.
If you are not offered a place on your chosen programme, we will do our best to support you in finding an appropriate alternative.
Your offer
After your interview you will be sent an email to confirm whether you have been offered a place. Please remember to keep checking your email account so that you don’t miss this as it will include important information on your next steps.
Got another question?
For any further questions relating to the post-application process please see our application and enrolment FAQ.
Watch Our Video Guide
Professional Chef Level 1/2/3
| Level | Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 |
|---|---|
| Location | Colchester |
| Duration | Three years Year 1: Level 1 Year 2: Level 2 Year 3: Level 3 |
| Study Mode | Full-Time |
| Campus / Adult Skills Centre | Colchester Campus |
| Start Date | September 2025 |
| Fee(s) | 16-18 year olds: Free Year 1 (Level 1): £2,011 Year 2 (Level 2): £2,018 Year 3 (Level 3): £5,421 |
*Level 3 of this course will be free to any adult meeting the eligibility criteria under the Lifetime Skills Guarantee
Other courses in this area
Disclaimer
All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2024-25 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.
Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.
The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.
The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.
