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University Diploma in Culinary Management (Co-op)

Vancouver Island University · Nanaimo
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada ★ 4.6 #1366 world
✓ PGWP eligible ✓ Co-op / internship ✓ No interview ✓ Loan friendly
Level
2-Year UG Diploma
CIP code
12.0505
Duration
2 year university diploma including 5 months of co
Open intakes
Off-shoreJan 2027, Feb 2027, Aug 2027, Sep 2027
Field
Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Science
Institution
Public University
Offer speed
Fast Offer Speed5–7 days
Next deadline
2026-09-01

Program overview

A two year university diploma in professional kitchen and food service management, covering cookery technique, kitchen operations, food costing and purchasing, menu development and supervised co-op placement.

University Diploma in Culinary Management (Co-op) carries nine entry windows a cycle, the most flexible pattern anywhere in this catalogue, and five months of co-op is built into the two years rather than bolted on afterwards.

University Diploma in Culinary Management (Co-op) is delivered by Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, a designated learning institution. Because University Diploma in Culinary Management (Co-op) is a two year university diploma rather than a degree, the Canadian field of study requirement applies to it, so the Post-Graduation Work Permit depends on this programme sitting inside an eligible field at the moment you apply. Where VIU offers the same subject as University Diploma in Culinary Management (Co-op) at degree level for the same tuition, the degree removes this risk entirely. The eligible field list is revised by the Canadian government, and eligibility for University Diploma in Culinary Management (Co-op) is tested when you apply rather than when you enrol. The study permit application for University Diploma in Culinary Management (Co-op) also requires a British Columbia attestation letter, which VIU issues with the letter of acceptance.

Entry to University Diploma in Culinary Management (Co-op) is Grade 12 or Class 12 at 50 percent or above. The English requirement is IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, and tuition for University Diploma in Culinary Management (Co-op) is recorded at CAD 29,955 a year with a CAD 156 application fee, with a recorded initial deposit of CAD 10,000. No scholarship is recorded against University Diploma in Culinary Management (Co-op). Nine entry windows a cycle, across September, January, February and August. Apply Study Visa manages the University Diploma in Culinary Management (Co-op) application, the deposit, the letter of acceptance and the Canadian study permit as one process.

What it costs per year · indicative

Tuition feeC$29,955₹18,27,255
Living cost (est.)C$22,895
Application feeC$156
Total / yearC$52,850₹32,23,850/yr

Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.

Do you qualify?

Minimum education
Class 12th
Minimum marks
50%
Study gap accepted
Up to 2 yrs
Backlogs accepted
Up to 8
Maths in 12th
Not required

These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.

Admission requirements

Who can apply (guide for international students):

  • Education: Grade 12 or Class 12 with the percentage stated for this programme.
  • English (meet any one): IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 88 with at least 20 in each section, PTE Academic 60 with no component below 60, or the Duolingo English Test at 115 with no sub score below 105.
  • Application and deposit: An application fee of CAD 156 applies. An initial deposit of CAD 10,000 is recorded, which is substantial and should be confirmed in writing before any money is sent.
  • Scholarship: No scholarship is recorded against this programme. Budget the full tuition.
  • Programme availability: VIU is working through a published Deficit Mitigation Plan and has cancelled or suspended a number of programmes since 2025. Confirm in writing that this programme is running for your intake before you pay a deposit.
  • Work permit: University Diploma in Culinary Management (Co-op) is a two year university diploma rather than a degree, so the field of study test applies and PGWP eligibility must be confirmed in writing for your intake before you commit. No spousal open work permit arises, because that needs a master programme of 16 months or longer. A British Columbia attestation letter is required with the study permit application.
  • Study permit: Apply Study Visa handles the British Columbia attestation letter, the study permit application and the biometrics appointment with you.

English requirements

IELTS
6.5 overall
R 6L 6W 6S 6
PTE
60 overall
R 60L 60W 60S 60
TOEFL
88 iBT
R 20L 20W 20S 20
Duolingo
115 overall
R 115L 115W 115S 115

Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours

  • Valid passport (6+ months validity)
  • Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
  • English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction + GIC
  • Passport-size photographs
  • Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)

Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.

Career opportunities

Typical destinations for graduates:

  • Line Cook: restaurants and hotel kitchens
  • Sous Chef: after several years in the kitchen
  • Kitchen Supervisor: food service operations
  • Food and Beverage Coordinator: hotels and venues
  • Catering Manager: event and contract catering
  • Further Study: hospitality management degree completion

Reality check: professional kitchens run long evening and weekend hours at modest starting pay, and progression comes from time on the line rather than from the diploma itself.

About Vancouver Island University

Type
University
Ownership
Public
Rating
★ 4.6
World rank
#1366
Established
1936
Reference No.
O19395299688

Not sure you'll get in?

Get a free, honest eligibility check for University Diploma in Culinary Management (Co-op) — plus a shortlist of better-fit options if there are any.

C$29,955 tuition / yr
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