All You Need to Know About Studying the Culinary Arts Degree Course at Malaysia’s Private Universities
The Bachelor of Culinary Arts Management (Honours) programme at a Private University in Malaysia covers a wide range of areas related to the competency requirements of your future workplace. It enables you to gather critical knowledge and acquire essentials skills required in the Culinary Industry.
Culinary Management will allow you to acquire in-depth knowledge of both management and practical aspects related to culinary operations. From the traditional methods in handling meat to cutting-edge techniques in molecular gastronomy, from classical French dishes to contemporary Asian delights, the degree programme gives you a broad exposure to the culinary traditions of both east and west. Depending on the university, students may also specialise in a particular cuisine such as Asian, French or Italian. This gives you familiarity with the particular produce and products, original and regional recipes from the country and a deeper appreciation of its gastronomic traditions and culture.
Some universities may have a Baking and Pastry specialisation, where you will develop an array of managerial and technical skills that allow you to kick-start your career in the patisserie industry. Satisfy the growing global demand for breads, pastries, cakes, and a variety of confectionery by mastering various baking and decorating techniques.
The culinary industry involves multifaceted forms of businesses. Therefore, the business and management modules cater to the needs of developing competency levels in relation to business. The business modules cover aspects like customer relationship management, human resource issues, IT, accounting, management and marketing as well as communication. These constituents will equip you with the necessary skills in relation to leading, managing, customer relationship and soft skills.
To achieve career success in the culinary industry, a minimum requirement is the Culinary Arts Degree.
Read more below on the details of the best universities in Malaysia for the Culinary Arts Degree Course:
What will you Study in a Culinary Arts Degree Course in Malaysia?
Wei Kang,
Culinary Arts Graduate from UOWM KDU
Generally, in the Bachelor of Culinary Arts (Hons) degree, it is designed to equip students with applicable knowledge and skills in foodservice management and culinary arts, and train students with technical and management skills for a career in the global food and beverage industry. The curriculum focuses on key competencies related to culinary, culinary management, pastry and business management.
The Culinary Arts degree programme will equip students to be able to manage food and beverage and kitchen operations effectively; conduct research and development activities in the culinary arts; conduct training in food production and acquire supervisory skills; practice and enforce safety, sanitation and food hygiene control; adhere to the professional codes of conduct; as well as be able to communicate effectively in a multicultural context.
Students have the opportunity to run and manage a food business by applying entrepreneurship elements.
Students will learn how to create new food menu by exposing them to the relationship between food and consumer perceptions.
Most universities will have regular field trips and industry visits to food and beverage establishments as well as guest chef lecturers to expose students to the industry. During your degree programme you will have an Internship to develop your supervisory and management skills.
A Degree in Culinary Arts is a Must in order to Succeed in the Food & Beverage Industry
Getting your Culinary Arts degree can open doors for your career in the Food & Beverage industry worldwide. Building a foundation of skills and techniques that you’ll be able to draw upon for years to come is an investment in your future.
A formal culinary education provides you with a broad overview of cuisines, theories, ingredients and techniques that restaurant experience alone cannot deliver. This culinary education is important as it will allow you to stand out from other applicants in a competitive job market and demonstrate to your employers that you have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in culinary arts.
Which are the Best Private Universities to Study the Culinary Arts Degree Course in Malaysia?
Desmond, Culinary Arts at KDU University College
Preparing delicious dishes & pastries are just a few of the skills that you can learn at a top culinary school in Malaysia. A culinary program can help prepare you for a great career as a chef, baker, wine steward or restaurant owner. The skills you develop as you train to be a chef are vital for future success in the culinary world.
At any good culinary school, students will acquire important skills in culinary, organising and management. Students will begin with basic culinary skills such as knife skills, cooking methods, timing, mise en place (Preparation prior to service), creative plates & presentations, flavour & seasoning, cooking on the line and others.
Culinary arts students should develop a strong understanding of how the abilities they hone in the classroom transfer to professional kitchens across the globe will be invaluable to their career advancement.
While it can be difficult to choose between private universities or colleges in Malaysia offering culinary arts, you will find that there are some key differences between them that can help you make the big decision in choosing the right one that fits you.
The best private universities and colleges in Malaysia have excellent culinary arts facilities, years of experience running the diploma in culinary arts course, strong student support services, internships and experienced lecturers.
- Taylor’s University
- University of Wollongong Malaysia (UOWM)
- Sunway University
- Berjaya University College
- UOWM Penang
What Facilities will I use for Culinary Arts at the University or College in Malaysia?
Fu Wei, Diploma in Culinary Arts Graduate from YTL International College of Hotel Management
It is important for the college or university to have the necessary culinary arts facilities so that you can gain the necessary skills in your culinary education. The university or college doesn’t necessarily need to have all the facilities needed but should have the basic ones.
Students should ensure that the Culinary School has a complete infrastructure with state-of-the-art facilities which may include lecture theatres, classrooms and seminar rooms, conference room, learning and resource centre for their academic lessons.
Culinary facilities should cover fully equipped preparation, production and pastry kitchens, bakery, culinary studio, culinary theatre, show kitchen, fine dining restaurant, oenology laboratory and chocolate and sugar artistry laboratory among others.
- Fine dining restaurant – Built to mimic a true fine dining restaurant, students are given real practice
- Training restaurant – Training Restaurant – students run everything from scratch while serving real customers and countering real-time situations.
- Preparation kitchen
- Production kitchen
- Bakery, pastry or patisserie kitchens
- Butchery Kitchen – students learn and master the techniques and skills to create various deli products.
- Atelier – Hot Kitchen
- Garde manger kitchen
- Artistry kitchen – students are trained to master the most delicate of arts.
- Molecular Gastronomy Lab
- Sugar artistry laboratory
- Chocolate Room
- Culinary Lecture Theatre – Top notch facilities equipped in the theatre allows for in-class demonstrations.
- Ice Carving Lab – students are taught first hand on the art of ice carving.
- Wine Laboratory (oenology laboratory) – Students are given a holistic education complemented with our state-of-the-art facilities inclusive of a wine tasting lab.
How long is a Culinary Arts Degree Course?
Students who have completed a Pre-University programme such as Foundation or A-Levels, will enter directly into the Degree programme for 3 years.
A Diploma in Culinary Arts graduate continuing on to the degree course will skip Year 1 and take 2 years to complete the degree programme
How is the Culinary Arts Degree Assessed?
The assessments for a culinary degree programme at private universities and colleges in Malaysia is a mix of Assignments, Coursework, and written examination percentage. The diploma programme provides students with relevant, interesting, stimulating and practical experience via a variety of teaching and practical techniques.
What are the Subjects in a Culinary Arts Degree Course?
Ying Kit, Diploma in Culinary Arts
Note that the core subjects in a Culinary Arts degree programme are required by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) at all universities however, each university will have their own specialty focus. So, it is important to look at the subjects to see which ones align with your career and education goals. Below are just a sample of subjects that you will learn in a culinary arts degree programme.
- Business of Hospitality, Food and Leisure Management
- Food Safety and Sanitation
- Principles of Marketing
- Principles of Culinary
- Principles of Pastry and Baking
- International Cuisine
- Restaurant Service and Productions
- Advanced Pastry and Baking
- Food Sociology
- Understanding Entrepreneurialism
- French – Basic
- Research Methods
- Food Media
- Advanced Cuisine
- Sensory Evaluation of Food
- Research Project
- Culinary Product Development
- Food Trends and Product Innovation
- Writing and Referencing
- Professional Development Planning
- Culinary Essentials: Butchery
- Culinary Essentias: Larder Preparation
- Oral Communication
- Food Hygiene and Safety
- Food Nutrition & Health
- Culinary Essentials: Gardemanger
- Culinary French
- Menu Planning
- Food and Beverage Management
- F&B Catering
- Hospitality Marketing & Sales Techniques
- Hospitality Financial Management
- Culinary Artistry and Design
- Strategic Human Resource Management
- Food Costing, Purchasing & Merchandising
- Gastronomy Studies
Accreditation & Recognition for the Culinary Arts Degree Course
Zi Jun & Yung Cong, Diploma in Culinary Arts at YTL International College of Hotel Management
When choosing a culinary arts degree programme, students will need to ensure that the course is accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and that the institution is recognised by the Ministry of Education.
The Malaysia Qualifications Agency (MQA) is an official body that is governed by the Ministry of Higher Education and is the only body that controls universities’ accreditation status, regulate curriculum and set operational standards for both public and private universities and other higher learning institutions in Malaysia.
MQA also accredit individual courses and programmes at each university. MQA’s operation is important because it works to ensure that higher learning in the country is up to global standards and is fit for the future of the nation.
Accreditation is a formal recognition that a certificate, diploma or degree programme has attained the quality standards and criteria set by MQA and is in compliance with the MQF.
What is the Education Pathway to Become a Chef in Malaysia?
Students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels wanting to pursue a top culinary arts programme at the university in Malaysia can go for the Foundation programme or Diploma in Culinary Arts. Students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels can go for the 1-year Foundation course with 5 relevant credits and then enter into the Culinary Arts Degree programme for 3 years.
Students with a minimum of 3 credits can go for the Diploma in Culinary Arts for 2.5 years before entering into Year 2 of the Degree programme for another 2 years. If you are sure that you want to study culinary arts, then you can go for the Diploma, if not, go for the Foundation in Arts course.
