Leiths Culinary Diploma
Leiths Culinary Diploma
18 weeks of world-class culinary training in London
Core Certificate
Learn to cook from scratch with confidence
Professional Certificate
Sharpen your culinary skills, get work experience and start your career
Diploma Certificate
Refine your cookery techniques to the highest level and secure exclusive work placements
Career Pathways
Find out where a Leiths Culinary Diploma can take you
Admissions
Course Fees & Finance Options
Look at tuition fees & payment plans
Admissions Process
Discover more about the application process
Study Options
Choose from full-time, part-time, and accelerated study opions
International Students & Visas
Learn about visas, travel and the support we can offer
Icon Calendar
Course Dates
Courses run throughout the year, with full-time, part-time and accelerated options available
Studying at Leiths Culinary School
Uniform & Equipment
What you’ll need in the kitchen
Student Accommodation
Housing options near our Culinary School in London
Teaching Facilities
Student Stories
Interviews with Diploma students and graduates
Webinar
Katya Katalinic suffered from a stroke aged eighteen and was not expected to survive. Two years later, she started the Leiths Culinary Diploma.
Webinar: pursuing a career in food with the Leiths Culinary Diploma
Monday, 17 August 2026
Join our Culinary School Director, Lou Kissane, on Monday 17 August 2026, 7–8pm for a webinar exploring what the Leiths Culinary Diploma involves, how it can be shaped around your ambitions, and what life at our Culinary School is really like.
Register now →
Learn to cook for life
Chat with us → Enrol Now →
Professional Development
Assessment in Marine Cookery Course
An essential step in getting your Ships’ Cook Certificate
Marine Cookery Skills and Assessment
Two days of marine cookery training followed by the assessment required to get your Ships’ Cook Certificate
Artisan Bread
Learn the techniques of master breadmaking
Food Media
Build your career in food media
Advanced Lamination
Master the intricate skill of laminating dough
Leiths Online
Online Courses
Learn from home, at your own pace
Online Essential Accreditation Days
Two-day assessment to get your accredited Essential qualification
Online Chef Skills Accreditation Days
Two-day assessment to get your accredited Chef Skills qualification
Online Essential Bread & Patisserie Accreditation Days
Two-day assessment to get your accredited Bread & Patisserie qualification
Online Nutrition in Culinary Practice Accreditation Day
Two-day assessment to get your accredited Nutrition in Culinary Practice qualification
Teacher Training
Level 7 Advanced Certificate in Food Education at Leiths Culinary School
Masters-level CPD in partnership with the University of Roehampton
Level 7 Advanced Certificate in Food Education at Queen’s College Taunton
Masters-level CPD in partnership with the University of Roehampton and Queens College Taunton
PGCE in Food & Nutrition
Gain Qualified Teacher Status in food education, with a course jointly delivered with the University of Roehampton
WEBINAR
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Webinar - food teacher training at Leiths
Wednesday, 19 August 2026
Join our Director of Studies, Ben Blackburn, for a webinar exploring what the Level 7 Advanced Certificate and PGCE involves, what funding is available, and how to apply.
Register Today →
Learn to cook for life
Chat with us →
Discover Culinary Masterclasses
Gain a new culinary skill and build your knowledge of food with this series of day courses. Our Leiths Culinary Masterclass take place at our School in London, the perfect opportunity to taste life at Leiths and leave with new skills.
Book now
Masterclasses
Knife Skills
Learn the essential skillset all chefs start with
Pasta Skills
Make fresh pasta and sauces from scratch
Fish Skills
Work with fresh fish, maximise flavour
Bakery Skills
Become confident in baking bread
Pastry Skills
Start from scratch with pastry
How to find us
Shop
Icon Certificate
Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers are available in a range of values and can be redeemed against any of our Culinary Masterclasses
Upcoming Event
Katya Katalinic suffered from a stroke aged eighteen and was not expected to survive. Two years later, she started the Leiths Culinary Diploma.
Leiths open evening
Thursday, 1 October 2026
Join us for our Open Evening at Leiths Culinary School on Thursday 1 October 2026, 6.30–8.30pm and discover how to fast-track your future in food with the Leiths Culinary Diploma.
Register now →
Learn to cook for life
Discover Culinary Masterclasses → Chat with us →
Masterclasses
Discover Culinary Masterclasses
Gain a new culinary skill and build your knowledge of food with this series of day courses. Our Leiths Culinary Masterclass take place at our School in London, the perfect opportunity to taste life at Leiths and leave with new skills.
Book now
Masterclasses › Shop › Katya Katalinic suffered from a stroke aged eighteen and was not expected to survive. Two years later, she started the Leiths Culinary Diploma.
Upcoming EventLeiths open eveningThursday, 1 October 2026Register now →
Discover Culinary Masterclasses → Chat with us

Discover how the Leiths Culinary Diploma can launch your career in food – join our webinar on Monday, 17 August 2026, 7–8pm.

 
Book now

The Leiths Culinary Diploma

Fast track your future in food with 18 weeks of world-class culinary training in London. 

For 50 years, the Leiths Culinary Diploma has formed the foundation of many extraordinary careers across the food industry. In that time, we’ve learnt what students want: study options that match their schedule, work experience with the biggest names in food and world-class culinary training that aligns with their postgraduate goals.

We’ve got the ingredients. You write the recipe. 

Leiths Culinary Diploma Logo

Come to an open event

Watch Diploma-style demonstrations, meet the teachers and taste life at Leiths.

Chat 1:1 with us

Our admissions team love to answer your questions and offer course suggestions to suit your goals.

Enrol on a course

Made your decision? Book on a course here and start your future in food.

Why the Leiths Culinary Diploma?

The personalised, accessible and industry-leading course to establish yourself in food.

Secure work experience with the biggest names in food

Complete integrated work experience with Leiths partner employers – from Michelin-starred restaurants to leading food brands.

Design your own Diploma

Tailor your pathway to your future in food with professional development courses and assessments in areas like food education, fermentation and even marine cheffing.

Study your way

Choose a study pathway to suit your lifestyle, we have full-time, part-time and accelerated options alongside multiple entry dates each year.

Get an unrivalled culinary education in central London

World-class culinary training led by industry experts in the bespoke teaching kitchens of our flagship Culinary School in London.

Guarantee your future in food

As a Diploma alumni, gain access to Leiths List Connect, the School’s in-house recruitment agency with an established industry network positioning our Diploma community for the best work experience and career opportunities in food.

Ready to discover more?

Find out more about the new Leiths Culinary Diploma below.
There’s something special that happens the moment you step into the School. You’ll hear students swapping sourdough tips, our buyer Ed on the phone with artisan cheesemakers and teachers making final checks before the morning’s demo. There’s a real energy here – passionate, professional and wonderfully warm. Over the course of the Diploma, you'll develop the versatile skills that open doors to an unmatched choice of pathways in food. But more than that, you'll have a really lovely time doing it.
Louise KissaneCulinary School Director
Louise Kissane
There’s something special that happens the moment you step into the School. You’ll hear students swapping sourdough tips, our buyer Ed on the phone with artisan cheesemakers and teachers making final checks before the morning’s demo. There’s a real energy here – passionate, professional and wonderfully warm. Over the course of the Diploma, you'll develop the versatile skills that open doors to an unmatched choice of pathways in food. But more than that, you'll have a really lovely time doing it.
Louise KissaneCulinary School Director
Louise Kissane

Why Leiths Culinary School?

Founded by Prue Leith in 1975, Leiths Culinary School is a leading British cookery institution in London. Students who choose to study here benefit from the School’s 50 years of experience delivering its flagship course, the Leiths Culinary Diploma.

The Diploma has always remained in step with the food industry, ensuring students receive a comprehensive education in food that is industry-relevant and of the highest calibre. Students develop a deep understanding of cookery, learning not just how but why.

Diploma graduates are consistently favoured by employers for their versatile culinary skills and in-depth understanding of food.

What you’ll learn

The Diploma is comprised of three Certificates of increasing culinary refinement – Core, Professional and Diploma. By completing all three courses, you will gain a Leiths Culinary Diploma. You can complete each Certificate individually or all three consecutively.

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Full-time, part-time & accelerated options

Core Certificate

The Core Certificate builds your understanding of classical cookery techniques across six modules, from Meat & Shellfish to Bread & Baking. You’ll master essential skills to create dishes like Chipotle, Maple & Paprika Whole Roast Chicken and Miso & Sake Pan-fried Sea Bream with Soba Noodles. By the end, you’ll know your hollandaise from your harissa, how to fillet fish and achieve the perfect rise on your bread dough.

£6,950

Learn More
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Full-time, part-time & accelerated options

Professional Certificate

The Professional Certificate refines your Core knowledge across six modules, from Stocks & Sauces to Pastries & Desserts. You’ll explore game butchery, enriched breads and French pastry techniques to create dishes like Salad of Wood Pigeon, Pancetta and Crispy Egg. By the end, you’ll watch your soufflés rise, know how to butcher game and master yeasted doughs. Plus, you’ll be able to secure work experience using Leiths List Connect. 

£7,950

Learn More
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Full-time only

Diploma Certificate

The Diploma Certificate focuses on advanced culinary techniques and specialist skills across six modules, from Complex Shellfish to Patisserie. You’ll have the skills to perfect dishes like Crab & Scallop Ravioli with Bisque Sauce and Halibut with Cucumber & Dill Beurre Blanc and Samphire. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to complete an assessed work placement in industry. On completing this Certificate, you’ll gain the externally-accredited Leiths Culinary Diploma and a CTH Level 4 Diploma in Professional Culinary Arts.

£9,950

Learn More

School calendar

Find out more about the Diploma by joining our next open event, trying a Taste of Diploma cooking day or simply enrolling on one of our upcoming course dates.

Open evening

1 October 2026 • Leiths Culinary School

Online webinar

14 October 2026 • Leiths Culinary School

Core Certificate (part-time)

7 September - 11 December 2026 • Leiths Culinary School

Professional Certificate (part-time)

7 September - 11 December 2026 • Leiths Culinary School

Core Certificate (full-time)

7 September - 16 October 2026 • Leiths Culinary School

Core Certificate (full-time)

22 February - 2 April 2027 • Leiths Culinary School

Leiths Culinary Diploma (full-time)

7 September 2026 - 16 February 2027 • Leiths Culinary School

Leiths Culinary Diploma (full-time)

22 February 2027 - 20 July 2027 • Leiths Culinary School

Your guide to studying at Leiths

Admission process

Learn how to apply for the Leiths Culinary Diploma.

International students & visas

Guidance for international applicants studying at Leiths in London.

Student Accommodation

Learn about different student accommodation options in London.

Study options

Compare full-time, part-time and accelerated study paths at Leiths.

Course dates

Find key term dates and application deadlines for Leiths courses.

Uniform & equipment

See what you’ll need for professional training at Leiths.

Course fees & finance options

Explore Leiths tuition costs, payment plans and funding options.

I’d say that almost every single day I’m using something I learnt when I was at Leiths.
Craig MorrisonContent creator and Diploma graduate

Leiths Culinary School

Located in Shepherd’s Bush, Leiths Culinary School is where our Diploma students train. Across four light, airy floors, the School has a dedicated demo classroom, cookbook library, student dining room and four professional-level teaching kitchens.

What really brings the School to life is the people. From our motivated, expert in-house teaching team to the incredible Diploma students: the food-obsessed and ambitious future of the food industry.

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Diploma life

From the friendly, food-loving community of students and teachers to a taste of the seasonal recipes you’ll be cooking, learn more about what life is like on the Diploma.

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Student stories

See what a day on the Diploma is like from a student’s perspective and find out about the incredible culinary journeys of students past and present.

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Teaching facilities

One of the best parts of the Diploma experience is training at Leiths Culinary School with its industry-leading teaching facilities. Take a look at where you’ll be learning.

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Your pathway & Leiths List Connect

The Diploma is designed to connect seamlessly with your future in food. Tailor your training with work experience and placement options. Graduate with access to Leiths List Connect: the School’s in-house recruitment agency who position our Diploma community for the best opportunities in food. The Diploma is designed to connect seamlessly with your future in food. Tailor your training with work experience opportunities when you start your Professional and Diploma Certificates. Graduate with access to Leiths List Connect: the School’s in-house recruitment agency who position our Diploma community for the best opportunities in food.

Leiths List Connect Logo

Leiths List Connect

With an established network spanning Michelin-starred restaurants, leading food brands and well-known test kitchens, Leiths List Connect links the Diploma community with top work experience and career opportunities. From The River Café to HelloFresh, Saturday Kitchen Live to UHNW private chefs, Leiths List helps get our Diploma alumni where they want to go.

Learn more

Your pathway​

Tailor your Diploma training to your future in food. Add professional development courses and assessments such as Food Media, Marine Cookery or Artisan Breads that align with your postgraduate goals and complete work placements with the biggest names in food.

Learn more

Diploma Alumni​

From TV shows to fine dining restaurants, viral TikTok videos to test kitchens, Diploma alumni work in every sector of the food industry. Whether you want to write cookbooks, develop products for supermarkets, edit food magazines or work in nutrition, the Diploma is where your future in food begins.

Learn more

Why choose Leiths?

50 years

Leading culinary education

Setting the standard since 1975

Six months

To graduation

Unlock your future in food

50+

Career paths open to you

From Michelin kitchens to yachts, the shelves of Waterstones to TikTok, supper clubs to TV

1:12

Teacher to student ratio

Individual guidance from expert chef tutors to refine your technique

Frequently asked questions

A place dedicated to teaching students how to cook to a high level, usually to prepare them for careers in the food industry. Leiths Culinary School, located in London, offers our Culinary Diploma – the best and most accessible qualification of its kind in the UK. Find out how to launch the future in food you’ve always dreamt of here.

We used to be known as Leiths School of Food and Wine. At Leiths Culinary School, we still offer our flagship course, the Leiths Culinary Diploma. We have made some important changes to what we offer to ensure we remain the UK leaders in culinary training. Our Diploma alumni have access to Leiths List Connect, our in-house recruitment experts.

Yes, we’re a cookery school. In fact, with 50 years of experience we are the cookery education specialists and have a range culinary training pathways to suit your ability level and budget.

Founded in 1975 by Prue Leith DBE and Caroline Waldegrave. Prue’s aim was to teach students how to cook delicious food from scratch, using simple high-quality ingredients. It’s a mantra we’ve stuck to. Find out more about us and our history here.

From the careers of TV presenter Matt Tebbutt, who you’ll recognise from Saturday Kitchen Live, to hugely successful cookbook authors like Olia Hercules and Skye McAlpine, Leiths Culinary School is the place where extraordinary careers in food are launched. Leiths alumni work in restaurants, on yachts and in test kitchens. They go viral on social media; they test and style recipe books; they edit magazines. We have graduates working at BBC Good Food, The River Cafe, BOSH!, Mob Kitchen and The Guardian.

Our Culinary School is on Wendell Road in Shepherd’s Bush. Click to find out more about getting to Leiths.

Our courses are open to anyone aged 18 or over who has a passion for food. International students are welcome, though please note that visa requirements may apply depending on your country of residence. If you have any questions about eligibility, get in touch and we’d be happy to help.

My training at Leiths was the leaping point for the start of my career in food. I was doing something completely different before coming to Leiths and it really gave me an amazing foundation.
Anushka MaganRecipe developer and Diploma alumnna

Come to an open event

Watch Diploma-style demonstrations, meet the teachers and taste life at Leiths.

Chat 1:1 with us

Our admissions team love to answer your questions and offer course suggestions to suit your goals.

Enrol on a course

Made your decision? Book on a course here and start your future in food.

News & events