Why Study/Key Benefits

• Develop practical skills for working in cafés, restaurants, hotels and other hospitality businesses.

• Learn both front-of-house restaurant service and barista beverage preparation.

• Gain hands-on experience through UCOL’s on-campus training restaurants and work-integrated learning.

• Build customer communication, service, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

• Learn professional hospitality standards, including food safety, workplace health and safety, security and responsible service.

• Study with industry-experienced tutors and benefit from UCOL’s hospitality industry connections.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The qualification contains three main components.

1. Food and Beverage Core Skills – 20 credits

This component develops the professional standards needed for basic food and beverage service.

Topics include:

• Workplace hazards and risk awareness.

• Food safety and security practices.

• Health and safety requirements.

• Host responsibility.

• Customer service strategies.

• Handling customer complaints and familiar workplace problems.

• Accounts and payments.

• Work-area preparation and time management.

• Personal presentation and professional behaviour.

• Sales techniques and effective customer communication.

2. Barista Service – 20 credits

This component develops the basic skills required to prepare and serve espresso-based beverages.

Topics include:

• Preparing barista equipment and ingredients.

• Following standard operating procedures.

• Maintaining health and safety requirements.

• Espresso extraction.

• Correct milk texturing.

• Preparing and presenting café beverages.

• Communicating with customers during beverage service.

• Identifying over-extraction, under-extraction and dosing problems.

• Recognising beverage quality, taste and equipment issues.

• Maintaining clean and organised service areas.

3. Restaurant Service – 20 credits

This component develops practical food and beverage service skills in a restaurant environment.

Topics include:

• Restaurant service procedures.

• Preparing equipment and ingredients for service.

• Serving food and beverages.

• Food safety and health and safety requirements.

• Alcohol service requirements.

• Sustainability in restaurant operations.

• Knowledge of food and hot and cold beverages.

• Processing orders accurately.

• Responding to customer requests.

• Setting up, maintaining and clearing restaurant dining areas.

• Professional presentation and service standards.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The programme focuses on hospitality and food and beverage service, with three practical areas:

• Café and barista service.

• Restaurant food and beverage service.

• Core hospitality and customer service skills.

Programme Highlights

• Practical training in UCOL’s on-campus hospitality training restaurants.

• Work-integrated learning and experience catering real events.

• Three balanced areas of study: core food and beverage skills, barista service and restaurant service.

• Training in espresso preparation, milk texturing and café beverage presentation.

• Development of customer service, communication and professional workplace behaviours.

• Industry connections: UCOL Hospitality Schools are members of NZ Chefs and participate in the Manawat? Hospitality Awards.

• Opportunities to progress to the New Zealand Certificate in Food and Beverage Service (Level 4).

Career Outcomes

Graduates develop the ability to:

• Apply food safety, health and safety and security practices.

• Communicate confidently with customers and colleagues.

• Follow standard operating procedures in hospitality workplaces.

• Deal with familiar service-related problems.

Potential employment environments include:

• Hotels.

• Restaurants.

• Cafés.

• Bars.

• Hospitality businesses overseas.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• UCOL currently advertises February and July 2027 intakes.

• Full attendance is encouraged to maximise learning and practical experience.

• Students may need to work after hours as part of the programme.

• Practical work in UCOL’s training restaurants depends on the time of year.

• Students are encouraged to have an internet-capable device for independent study. Computers are available on UCOL campuses.

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), credit transfer and cross-credit applications may be considered individually.

• The programme includes practical hospitality activities, so students should be prepared for customer-facing work and scheduled practical sessions.

• Uniform: UCOL estimates an additional cost of approximately NZD $90 for a T-shirt, shirt and apron.

• Students must also have black comfortable shoes and black smart-casual trousers or a skirt. Jeans, tracksuits and tights are not accepted for the specified uniform.

• The programme page mentions café services and functions services in its advice section, while the published course structure identifies the three components listed above.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this programme in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to Immigration New Zealand’s assessment and the applicant’s circumstances.

Main requirements include:

• An Offer of Place from an approved education provider.

• Evidence of payment of tuition fees, or evidence that the student can pay them.

• Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses.

• Evidence of acceptable medical and travel insurance for the duration of the stay.

• Good health and character.

• A genuine intention to study in New Zealand.

• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of their authorised stay, such as a return ticket or funds to purchase one.

Financial requirements:

• For tertiary study lasting less than one year, Immigration New Zealand currently requires evidence of NZD $1,667 for each month of study for living expenses.

• Tuition fees must also be paid or otherwise adequately provided for.

• Applicants may use acceptable financial evidence such as bank statements, qualifying sponsorship, scholarships or eligible education loans.

Visa cost and processing:

• Fee Paying Student Visa cost: from NZD $850.

• Published processing time: 80% of applications within 7 weeks.

• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before planned travel.

• The actual processing time and fee may vary according to the application and circumstances.

Work rights:

• Eligible student visa holders may be granted permission to work up to 25 hours per week during study.

• Full-time work during scheduled holidays depends on visa conditions and course eligibility.

• Immigration New Zealand specifies a 120-credit course requirement for full-time work rights during scheduled holidays. This programme is 60 credits, so students should not assume they will receive those holiday work rights.

• Students must check their own eVisa conditions before accepting employment.

Attendance and progress:

• Students must attend the programme specified in their visa unless they have a valid reason for absence.

• They must make satisfactory academic progress and maintain the conditions of their visa.