Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand Institute

Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand is a globally recognized culinary and hospitality education institute located in Wellington. It is part of the worldwide Le Cordon Bleu, founded in 1895 in Paris, which now operates 35+ institutes across 20 countries.

The New Zealand campus opened in 2012 and offers specialized programs designed to develop culinary professionals, hospitality managers, and food entrepreneurs through practical training, industry placements, and academic learning.

Students benefit from:

• Industry-focused curriculum

• Professional kitchens and pastry labs

• Internship opportunities with restaurants and hospitality organizations

• Global alumni and chef network

University Rankings & Recognition

While primarily a specialized culinary institute, the school has strong international recognition:

• Recognized among the Top Culinary Schools globally by organizations such as The Daily Meal and the World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy.

• Awarded QS 5 Stars for teaching quality, employability, and internationalization.

• Named “Oceania’s Best Culinary Training Institution 2025” at the World Culinary Awards.

• Programs are accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Types of Courses (Study Levels)

Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand offers vocational and higher education programs in culinary arts and hospitality.

1. Certificate Programs

• New Zealand Certificate in French Cuisine (Level 2) – 10 weeks

• New Zealand Certificate in French Pastry (Level 2) – 10 weeks

2. Le Cordon Bleu Awards

• Diplôme de Cuisine – 9 months

• Diplôme de Pâtisserie – 9 months

• Le Grand Diplôme (Cuisine + Pâtisserie) – 18 months

3. Diploma Programs

• New Zealand Diploma in Cookery (Advanced) – Cuisine

• New Zealand Diploma in Cookery (Advanced) – Pâtisserie
  Duration: approx. 9 months

4. Bachelor’s Degree

Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Business (Level 7)

• Duration: 3 years

• Combines culinary skills with restaurant and hospitality management

• Includes industry placement

5. Master’s Degree

Master of Applied Hospitality Management (Level 9)

• Duration: 18 months

• 1 year study + 6-month internship

• Designed for leadership roles in hospitality management

6. Short Courses

• Culinary workshops and professional development courses

• Duration: 1–3 days

Mode of Learning

The institute mainly focuses on hands-on, practical culinary training.

Modes include:

• On-campus learning: Most programs involve professional kitchen training.

• Practical workshops & demonstrations

• Industry internships or placements

• Short professional courses (in-person culinary workshops)

Number of Programs Offered

Across all study levels, the Wellington campus offers approximately:

• Certificates: 2

• Diploma programs: 2

• Le Cordon Bleu awards: 3

• Bachelor’s degree: 1

• Master’s degree: 1

• Short courses: multiple options

Key Highlights

• Part of the world’s largest network of culinary institutes

• Hands-on culinary training with professional chefs

• Oceania’s Best Culinary Training Institution (2025)

• Programs recognized by NZQA

• State-of-the-art kitchens and patisserie laboratories

• Internship opportunities with industry partners

• Students from 100+ nationalities across the global network

• Potential post-study work visa in New Zealand after graduation (subject to immigration rules).

Facilities

Students benefit from industry-standard facilities including:

• Professional demonstration kitchens

• Pastry and baking labs

• Wine and sensory analysis labs

• Hospitality training spaces

• Student lounges and resource centers.

Latest Updates (2025–2026)

• The New Zealand campus was named Oceania’s Best Culinary Training Institution 2025 at the World Culinary Awards.

• The institute celebrated 130 years of the Le Cordon Bleu global network.

• Continued focus on industry placement programs and career readiness for hospitality leadership roles.

Scholarship

1. Bachelor of Culinary Arts & Business Scholarship (Academic Merit Scholarship)

This is the main scholarship offered by Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand for international students.

Scholarship Value

• 15% tuition fee reduction

• Applied to Year 2 and Year 3 of the Bachelor program.

Eligible Program

The scholarship applies to:

Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Business (Level 7)

This degree combines:

• Culinary training

• Restaurant and hospitality management

• Wine education

• Food business entrepreneurship.

Who Can Apply

International students from any country are eligible, provided they meet the admission and scholarship requirements.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Students must:

1. Be an international student (not a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident).

2. Be at least 17 years old at the start of the course.

3. Meet New Zealand university entry requirements for a bachelor’s degree.

4. Provide proof of English proficiency.

5. Be a new applicant (current or former Le Cordon Bleu NZ students are not eligible).

English Language Requirement

Applicants must provide one of the following:

• IELTS Academic: 6.0 overall

• Minimum 5.5 in each band

Academic Requirements for the Scholarship

The scholarship is performance-based.

To Receive Scholarship for Year 2

Students must:

• Achieve minimum 80% average in Year 1 of the degree.

To Continue Scholarship in Year 3

Students must:

• Maintain 80% or higher average in Year 2.

Additional Expectations

Scholarship recipients must:

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress.

• Participate in extra-curricular activities or promotional activities representing the institute.

2. Excellence Scholarship (Merit-Based)

Le Cordon Bleu NZ also offers a merit-based Excellence Scholarship for high-performing students.

Scholarship Benefits

• Up to 15% tuition fee reduction

• Usually applied in later years of study.

Eligibility

Students must:

• Demonstrate strong academic performance (around 80% or higher).

• Submit a statement of purpose or motivation letter explaining why they want to study culinary arts or hospitality.

3. Previous / Occasional International Scholarships (Program-Specific)

In some years the institute also offers special international scholarships for culinary diplomas.

Example: Cookery or Pastry Diploma Scholarship

Past scholarship benefits included:

• NZD $15,000 tuition reduction for culinary diploma programs.

Typical eligibility included:

• International students from selected countries (including India).

• Minimum age 16–17.

• IELTS around 5.5–6.0 depending on program.

Important Scholarship Conditions

Students should note the following:

• Scholarships usually do not apply to Year 1 fees.

• Students must maintain academic performance (around 80%).

• The institute may withdraw the scholarship if progress is unsatisfactory.

• Scholarships are tuition fee reductions, not full funding.

Tips to Increase Your Scholarship Chances

Education counsellors often recommend the following:

• Maintain high grades in Year 1
• Write a strong motivation letter explaining your culinary career goals
• Demonstrate leadership or hospitality experience
• Apply early for February or August intakes

Summary

Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand offers limited but valuable scholarships for international students, mainly focused on academic merit and performance during the degree program. The most important award is the 15% Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Business Scholarship, which rewards students who maintain strong academic results.