Knowing what the requirements are to study chef courses in South Africa will help you choose the right school and best suited course for you. That said, each school has its own prerequisites, which means you’ll have to compare schools and entry requirements.
The best approach is to find a culinary school that doesn’t discriminate against you for not having taken subjects like Tourism or Hospitality Management or related subjects at school.
Minimum Entry Requirements for Full-Time Chef Courses
You’ll need a Grade 12 certificate or Matric equivalent to enrol in one of the full-time chef qualifications at CHS. If you’re still in your final year of school, you’ll need to submit your most recent school results, proving that you have passed Grade 11, with your application.
No Need for an Admission Point Score
Good news – CHS doesn’t require an APS score for entry into one of its programmes.
What Can You Study Without a Matric or Grade 12 Certificate?
If you have not been able to complete your Matric or Grade 12 but are passionate about food preparation and want to prepare for work in the culinary industry, you can still enrol in one of our courses. You only need a National Qualification Framework (NQF) Level 1 with Grade 10 Mathematics for enrolment in the Professional Cook Qualification. It is a 12-month full-time course, giving you the opportunity to gain important skills to qualify for work in the culinary industry.
The Professional Cook Course
This full-time one-year course includes learning outcomes in the preparation of food production areas, preparation, and cooking of a wide range of dishes, communicating with kitchen staff, hygienically preparing food areas, and helping staff to prepare and serve food. It’s the start of your journey to becoming a chef.
You’ll receive Occupational Certificate qualifications for Food Handler (SAQA ID 110644 – NQF Level 2), Kitchen Hand (SAQA ID 110354 – NQF Level 3), and Cook (SAQA ID 12296 – NQF Level 4). You’ll also receive the Award in Introduction to the Hospitality Industry (7107-21), which is a City & Guilds international qualification. In addition, you’ll complete and receive certification for Basic First Aid Course Level 1 and Basic Fire Fighting Course Level 1, as well as a basic Word and Excel computer competency course. View more information about the Professional Cook Course here.
Chef Courses to Study if You Have a Matric or Grade 12
We offer two full-time course options, both running over a period of three years. The first is the Professional Chef Qualification and the second is the Professional Chef Qualification with Specialisation in Pastry. Have a look at the courses section for more information.
Ready to Apply?
For any additional information, visit the FAQ section for answers to your questions. Use the apply option to start your application process or reach out to us for more information.