10 Most Recognized Culinary School In Singapore - Full Time/ Part Time/ WSQ

October 30, 2019

Are you interested to have a career in the Food & Beverage Industry? Or simply love cooking and baking good food that you would like to learn how to cook better? There are many courses in Singapore that can helps you to build up your culinary and/or baking skills. Furthermore, with proper accreditation - it gives you an foothold on the beginning steps of a career in Food & Beverage industry. 

 When people picture Singapore, they think of clean water, luscious trees, sky scraping building and - delicious food. Even though Singapore is renown for its diverse selection of food, does the country provide good culinary courses too? Today we are going to talk about the different schools in Singapore that offers a various types of courses and programme that are related to the Food & Beverage Industry. 



Amongst the 10 different schools, some offers diploma and degree courses while a selected few provide Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) and private food teaching lessons. It's up to you to decide what kind of certification you want to obtain and which school best suit your interest. Here is the list, collated by us for you, of the 10 Most Recognized Culinary School In Singapore. 

1. Asian Culinary Institute Singapore 


Taken from Asian Culinary Institute Singapore Facebook
At Asian Culinary Institute Singapore (ACI) they offer a wide variety of courses. Most certification are recognized locally in Singapore. The courses are heavily subsidy by the government and Singaporean can make use of their SkillsFuture Credit to offset the fees. In addition, the school have courses to help individuals that are interested to operate or open a restaurant. It is a good stepping stone as the school have connection with professional chefs where the school invites them over to teach and guide you step-by-step. Most students in ACI are young teens, adults to elderly. 

 Course provided - 
Certificate: Higher Certificate, Advance Certificate, Diploma, Specialist Diploma
Short Course (WSQ): Culinary Arts, Food & Beverage Services, Food Hygiene
Short Course (Non-WSQ): Culinary Arts, Pastry & Bakery, Food & Beverage Services

 Duration -
1 Day - 1 Year

Intake requirement -
Depend on the course 

 Cost -
$300 - $12k

Location -
11 Eunos Road 8, Lifelong Learning Institute
#03-01 (Lift Lobby A)
Singapore 408601


 2. SSA Culinary Institute 

Taken from SSA Culinary Institute Facebook

 Similar to the ACI, SSA Culinary Institute offers many courses that are supported by WSQ funding. The classes mostly targets home-cooking adults and retired seniors who want to learn to cook new dishes. SSA Culinary Institute is more known for their baking classes but have recently included more hot cooking classes to attract wider audience.

 Course provided - 
(WSQ) Baking : Traditional Dessert, Pastry, Cookies, Muffins, Buns
(WSQ) Cooking: Dim sum, Korean, Peranakan

 Duration -
1 Day - 3 Day

Intake requirement -
No requirement 

Cost -
$20 - $300

Location -
10 Arumugam Road
#01-00/ #04-01
LTC Building A
Singapore 409957


3. At-Sunrice Global Chef Academy


Taken from At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy Facebook
At-Sunrice Global Chef Acadamy is an all-inclusive culinary school that is well known for their facilities and international chefs. They don't cost cheap as they are an independent school. In the 18-month study and work diploma program, you learn fundamental cooking skills, kitchen operation and service. To graduate, you need to work 6 month at a restaurant as their internship module. This is when you can gain actual work experience and insight of what your future behold. This school is strongly recommended for those who aspire to become a chef. Since the school is affiliated to other universities in the world that has hospitality degree and master programmes, it is beneficial to those who want to pursue a higher degree of education after diploma. 

 Course provided - 
In- House Diploma Programmes: Culinary Arts, Pastry & Bakery

 Duration -
1 year 6 month

Intake requirement -
  • Passion for Culinary Arts 
  • At least 17 years old
  • At least 1 week industry experience in any F&B establishments
  • Possess leadership qualities, artistic and disciplined
  • Required to undergo an interview and online profile test
  • At-Sunrice graduates of WSQ CCA / CPB / CFBO / CBO with a minimum average grade of B and above
Singaporean / Singapore PR Applicants:
  • At least 3 GCE 'N' Level credits (including English) or WPLN Level 5
  • Completed / Exempted from National Service (For Singaporean Males only)
International Applicants:
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL (internet based total) 46-59 / WPLN Level 5

Cost -
$7.3k - $34k 

Location -
28 Tai Seng Street, Level 5
Singapore 534106


 4. SHATEC

Taken from SHATEC Facebook
SHATEC is a culinary school that is similar to At-Sunrice Global Chef Academy. To compare the both school, At- Sunrice Global Chef Academy is newer and have better facilities, and also due the the affiliations to other hospitality universities in the world - their certificate is more global recognized. Although with that said, SHATEC diploma program, in our opinion, is better. It's more in-depth, diverse and more appealing. The certificate is more locally recognized. Most trainers here are veterans who have retired from the professional kitchen world. We like how the school aggressively sends their student for cooking competition. This aids in the student learning and it looks great on the resume. SHATEC students are highly sought as many famous chef graduated from here. 

 Course provided - 
In- House Diploma Programmes: Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary, Pastry & Bakery 

 Duration -
1 year 6 month

Intake requirement -
Singaporean / Singapore PR Applicants:
  • Minimum 3 GCE 'N' Level/ Pass in NITEC
  • Successful interview
International Applicant:
  • Successfully completed minimum 10 years of formal education
  • Successful interview
English Ptoficiency Requirements
  • Pass in GCE 'N' Level English
  • Level 5 in WPLN
  • Band 5.0 in IELTS
  • Minimum score of 61 points (internet based total in TOEFL)
  • Pass in SHATEC English Test

Cost -
$3.5k

Location -
21 Bakit Batok Street 22
Singapore 659589


 5. Culinary Institution of America

Taken from CIA Singapore Top Table Facebook
Culinary Institution of America has many campus around the world. One of which is based in the Singapore Institute Technology (SIT) campus in Singapore. This is the closest degree program you can get in Singapore if you want to pursue a culinary bachelor degree locally. It's perfect to those who wish to become a professional chef. This is where you can hone your culinary skill and learn other skills relating to hospitality industry like wine tasting, bartender, menu planning and business management. It is a fast pace program that is not suitable for everyone. The school strategically compact three years worth of curriculum into two. All these is to test your ability to handle under stress as you need to apply that in the working environment. Many undergraduate have tasted certain success in their career. With this, they are on the fast track to career progression. 

 Course provided - 
CIA Bachelor's Degree - Food Business Management 

 Duration -
2 years 

Intake requirement -
Singaporean / Singapore PR Applicants:
  • Diploma from a Singapore Polytechnic
  • Work experience at a non-fast-food establishment with a professional kitchen
  • Letter of Recommendation
International Applicant:
  • Not available in Singapore Campus  

Cost -
$24k 

Location -
21 Tampines Avenue 1, Block 31 (West Gate/Swimming Complex)
Singapore 529757


 6. SHRM College 

Taken from SHRM College Facebook
SHRM College is a private school that put focus on hospitality and business programmes. They offers two diploma certification that related to food& beverage industry - Culinary Studies & Food and Beverage Management. SHRM College has worked with Workforce Singapore Agency (WSG) to develop a plan to help adults who want a career change to take on jobs in the Food Services sector. If qualified, you will be able to study while securing a stable job at a participating company. To find out if you are eligible for this programme, click here

 Course provided - 
Diploma - Culinary Studies, Food & Beverage Management (Part Time, Full Time)

 Duration -
1 year 

Intake requirement -
Singaporean / Singapore PR Applicants:
  • GCE 'O' Level
International Applicant:
  • China - Senior High School 3 or Equivalent
  • India - Secondary School Certificate
  • Indonesia - At least 12 years of formal education
  • Malaysia - SPM (Sikiil Pelajaran Malaysia) or UEC (United Examination Certificate)
  • Vietnam - Senior High School
  • Others - case-by-case basis

Cost -
$4k

Location -
120 Oxley Rise
Singapore 238709


7. Institute of Technical Education 


Taken from ite.edu.sg
Institute of Technical Education (ITE) is well known for their facility and specialize in teaching. Their curriculum is simple and very practical. It is specially designed for those who prefer hands-on to reading. The school host many cooking competition and they encourage their student to participate in them. Since most of their time is spent in the kitchen, the student is able to learn fast and adapt to the kitchen environment. ITE has great education progression and student have the chance to progress to higher education when they perform well. 

 Course provided - 
Nitec - Asian Culinary Arts, Pastry & Baking, Western Culinary Arts

Duration -
2 years

Intake requirement -
Singaporean / Singapore PR Applicants:
  • GCE 'O' Level in any 2 subjects ( Grade 1-8)
  • GCE 'N' Level passes in English Language and 2 other subjects (A-D or 1-5)
International Applicant:
  • Do not accept 
Cost -
$500 - $20k

Location -
1 Choa Chu Kang 
Singapore 688236

 8. Republic Polytechnic 

Taken from rp.edu.sg & abk.com.sg
Republic Polytechnic culinary course is for you if you are interested in gastronomy. Also, they have bar and dinning operation to train students for management functions. In here, they touch more on Western cuisine than Asian cuisine and baking. They are better known for their front of house training than the back of house training. The school like to showcase their facilities to the public and host great number of cooking class and competition. 

 Course provided - 
Diploma in Restaurant & Culinary Operation

Duration -
3 years 

Intake requirement -
Singaporean / Singapore PR Applicants:
  • GCE 'O' Level 
    • ELR2B2-B (13-24)
    • English Language (1-6)
    • Mathematics (1-6)
    • Any three other subjects (1-6)
  • GCE 'A' Level 
    • Obtain an A-S grade for General Paper (English Medium)
    • Obtain an A-E grade for 2 other H2 subjects 
    • Taken GCE 'A' Level examination whilst studying in a Junior College
International Applicant:
  • Case on Case basic 
Cost -
$3k - $11k

Location -
9 Woodlands Avenue 9
Singapore 738964

 9. Temasek Polytechnic 


Taken from tp.edu.sg 
If you plan to open a food business someday, this is where you can learn the rope. The course touches heavily on hospitality and business operation management. At Temasek Polytechnic, students can learn to manage a restaurant and apply that in the training facility (Sugarloaf & Table Top). In a professional setting, they are taught to serve, interact and connect with guest.

 Course provided - 
Diploma in Culinary and Catering Management 

Duration -
3 year 

Intake requirement -
Singaporean / Singapore PR Applicants:
  • GCE 'O' Level 
    • ELR2B2-B (<26)
    • English Language (1-6)
    • Mathematics (1-6)
    • Any three other subjects (1-6)
International Applicant:
  • Sijil Pelajaram Malaysia (SPM)/ Unified Examination Chinese (UEC) holders must have a minimum of grade 6 for the relevant English Language subject (e.g Bahasa Inggeris)
Cost -
$3k - $11k

Location -
21 Tampines Avenue 1
Singapore 529757

 10. Nanyang Polytechnic 


Taken from http://discover-nyp.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-secret-kitchen.html
Course provided - 
Diploma in Food & Beverage Business 

Duration -
3 year 

Intake requirement -
Singaporean / Singapore PR Applicants:
  • GCE 'O' Level 
    • ELR2B2-B (<17)
    • English Language (1-6)
    • Mathematics (1-6)
    • Any three other subjects (1-6)
International Applicant:
  • Case by Case Basic
Cost -
$3k - $11k

Location -
106 Ang Mo Kio, Avenue 8
Singapore 569830

 If you develop an interest for both management and kitchen role but are unsure on what to choose, Nanyang Polytechnic culinary course probably suit you the best. In year 1, you are given equal opportunity to try out front and back of house of restaurant operation. During this period, you have plenty of time to decide which path to follow. The school is well known for their business curriculum but not so on culinary.

 We have both graduated from a culinary school 4 years ago and currently working in the F&B industry. I believe that this post will help you into deciding which school is most suitable and beneficial to you. 

There are many career opportunity in the F&B industry and knowing what you want to do in the sector can help you decide which school to enroll. There are many positions you can work as in the food and beverage industry, as listed:  

  • Wine Sommelier
  • General Restaurant Manager/Supervisor
  • Executive Chef 
  • Project Manager Catering
  • Banquet Manager
  • Baker/ Pasty Chef 
  • Nutritionist 
  • Menu developer/ R&D
  • Food Technologist 
  • Trainer/ Teacher
  • Food purchasing and distribution supervisor 
  • Food review/ editor 

Choose wisely and most importantly, have fun in classes.



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