New Zealand Certificate in Food and Beverage Service (Level 3)

• Good communication
• A good work ethic
• Maturity and honesty
• The ability to work well under pressure
• Confidence when dealing with customers.

• Open entry.
• International students will be individually assessed to ensure you are ready for this study.  
• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes. 

Under 18?

• Alcohol tasting and consumption is part of this programme and may be a risk for some people.
• To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our learners, and in compliance with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, you must get parental consent if you're under 18. Risks will be outlined in more detail during the programme.
• If you're under 18 and want to chat about your best options, please get in touch with us. It may be that we recommend you begin your learning with us in another programme and then move into this one. 

Consumption of alcohol is NOT a compulsory part of the course and other methods of identifying and obtaining knowledge of products can easily be employed on request. 

Selection procedure

If the number of applicants exceed the available places, a waitlist will be used to ensure preference is given to applicants in the order that they applied.   

You will spend 70% of your time in an applied, directed learning situation and 30% with self-directed study.

You will learn how to describe and apply basic service operations in the food and beverage sector to meet industry requirements and understand the hospitality work environment. This covers professional café and bar service, including counter and table service, food preparation, cocktails and bar service with barista knowledge, and you'll train in real and simulated work experience situations.

Our on-site training facilities include Manaaki—our training restaurant, Eden Café, and AKO—our student-operated café. You'll also do an industry work experience placement.

Progress into our New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3) to advance your skills and increase your employment opportunities.

There are a number of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) issues associated with practical work in areas specific to a commercial kitchen and café environment. These include, but are not limited to, burns from hot liquids or hot objects and cuts from sharp instruments. 

During your induction day, you have the opportunity to purchase your full uniform from Otago Polytechnic's preferred supplier. You should expect to spend approximately $250 on additional programme-specific equipment. This will be covered by the 'Course-Related Costs' section of your student loan (if you are eligible - see Student Loans and Allowances section below). 

Student loans and allowances are for domestic students only. For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website. It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful. 

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