New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4)

New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4)

New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4)

Building on the foundation of the NZ Certificate in Cookery (Level 3), this Level 4 programme further enhances and develops students' culinary skills.

At SIT, you'll benefit from well-equipped classrooms and passionate tutors dedicated to their craft. Throughout the year, students have the opportunity to run the Bungalow Restaurant on campus and are encouraged to participate in national culinary arts competitions.

This training aims to cultivate the flair and creativity essential for securing employment in the vibrant and dynamic culinary industry.

     
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Key Details
Queenstown
Qualification:
Certificate
Level:
4
Credits:
120
Duration:

41 weeks full-time

Study Modes:
On Campus
Dates:

2027 Semester 1: 31 March to 31 December

2027 Semester 2: 30 August to 09 June

Fees:

This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.

  • NO tuition fees
  • 2026 Direct material costs of $5875 (GST inclusive).
  • 2027 Direct material costs of $6325 (GST inclusive).

International Fees can be found here.

Following on from the NZ Certificate in Cookery (Level 3), this Level 4 programme allows the enhancement and further development of students' culinary skills.

SIT's classrooms are well equipped and the tutors are very passionate about their craft. Students cook at four separate "pop up restaurants" on campus throughout the year. 

This training will help develop the flair and creativity in the culinary arts deemed necessary to gain employment in this exciting and dynamic industry.

On completion of the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4), graduates will have the knowledge and skills to:

  • Apply cookery skills to prepare, cook and present a range of cold larder dishes, hot kitchen dishes, and patisserie, employing complex preparation and presentation techniques
  • Monitor and maintain health and safety, food safety, and security practices, to ensure own safety and minimise potential hazards for customers
  • Monitor and maintain interactions between colleagues, managers, and customers
  • Monitor and maintain the application of standard operating policies and procedures to work roles in a commercial kitchen

NZC401 Restaurant Service Operations

 

NZC402 Implement health, safety and security practices to ensure compliance with standard policies & procedures

 

NZC403 Food Costing

 

NZC404 Prepare and finish cocktail food (hot and cold food items)

 

NZC405 Prepare and finish cold larder products

 

NZC406 Prepare and finish complex sauces

 

NZC407 Prepare and finish complex fish and seafood products

 

NZC408 Prepare and finish complex pasta products

 

NZC409 Prepare and finish complex Meat and Poultry products

 

NZC410 Prepare and finish complex soups

 

NZC411 Prepare and finish complex pastry products

 

NZC412 Prepare and finish marinades, dressings, cold sauces, and dips

 

NZC413 Prepare and finish complex hot and cold dessert products

 

NZC414 Prepare and bake complex dough products

 

NZC415 Prepare and bake complex cakes and sponge products

This course aims to provide competent, professional employees for the hospitality sector who are able to work as chefs in intermediate positions producing complex dishes in a commercial kitchen.

Entry requirements

To apply for the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4), you’ll need to:

  • Have successfully completed the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3) or demonstrate equivalent knowledge
  • Have successfully completed NCEA Level 1
  • Provide a verified and valid work permit or visa, where required
  • Attend an interview if requested as part of the application process

Mature and special admission

If you’re 20 or older and don’t meet the standard academic requirements, you may still be considered for admission.

You’ll need to demonstrate:

  • A genuine interest in the hospitality industry
  • The ability and potential to succeed in the programme
  • Adequate English, literacy and numeracy skills to meet the programme's academic and health and safety requirements

Relevant hospitality study or industry experience may also support your application.

Additional requirements

Applicants should demonstrate:

  • A genuine interest in hospitality
  • A reasonable likelihood of successfully completing the programme
  • A strong work ethic suited to a career in the hospitality industry
  • A professional standard of personal presentation

All enrolments are subject to approval by the Programme Manager, in consultation with the Head of Faculty and teaching staff where required.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, or your previous education was not taught in English, you’ll need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

You can meet this requirement through one of the following:

  • NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance
  • An International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A Level where teaching and assessment were completed in English
  • CELTA or CertTESOL
  • Completion of primary education (equivalent to New Zealand Years 1 to 8) plus at least three years of secondary education taught in English in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States
  • At least five years of secondary education taught in English in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States
  • Completion of a tertiary qualification taught in English from a tertiary education provider in one of the countries listed above. This includes a bachelor’s degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, bachelor honours degree, postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, master’s degree or doctoral degree
  • An approved English language proficiency test that meets the requirements below

English language test requirements

  • IELTS General or Academic: 5.5 overall, with no band below 5.0
  • TOEFL iBT: 46, with a writing score of 14
  • TOEFL pBT: 530, with TWE 4.5
  • PTE Academic: 42, with no band below 36
  • Cambridge English: B2 First or B2 First for Schools, score 162, with no skill below 154
  • OET: Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
  • NZCEL: Level 3 Applied
  • LanguageCert: B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) Pass, with at least 25/50 in each skill, and Spoken (S) Pass
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II, with at least a Pass in each band

English language test scores must be achieved in a single test within the two years before enrolment.

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve a minimum of 120 credits in accordance with the programme schedule for the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4). The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4) full-time within 34 weeks.

Please note: Students failing to attend for 80% of the timetabled programme hours may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.

Classes are held Monday to Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm at SIT's Queenstown Campus.

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