Join us for our Open Evening at Leiths on Thursday 5th February 2026, 6:30–8:30pm, and discover how the Culinary Diploma can launch your career in food.
Join us for our Open Evening at Leiths on Thursday 5th February 2026, 6:30–8:30pm, and discover how the Culinary Diploma can launch your career in food.
This guide provides key information for prospective students at Leiths, including admissions requirements, course fees, payment options and available bursaries. Use it to plan your studies and prepare for the next step in your culinary journey.
At Leiths, we’re proud to welcome students from all over the world to our London Culinary School. Each year, international students join us to gain professional culinary skills recognised throughout the industry.
Many of our international students make London their home while studying, exploring its diverse food scene. Others return to their home countries or continue their careers around the world, joining a global network of Leiths alumni working across the food industry.
Whether you’re joining us for the Leiths Culinary Diploma or other courses, our team is here to support you through every stage of your Leiths experience, from application and visas to settling into life in London.
Leiths Education welcomes international students who wish to study in the UK on short professional courses, including the Leiths Culinary Diploma and other specialist programmes.
If your chosen course lasts less than six months, you can usually study with one of the following visa types:
Leiths Education does not issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), as these short courses are not sponsored under the UK Student route. You are responsible for arranging your own visa or travel authorisation before arrival.
Students studying under ETA or Visitor permission must follow UK immigration conditions:
We recommend applying for your visa or ETA well in advance, as processing times vary by country and can take more than six weeks.
All international students should also hold valid travel and health insurance for the duration of their stay.
For further details on eligibility, entry requirements, and travel preparation, please contact our Admissions and Recruitment Manager at [email protected].
Leiths Education is a licensed sponsor under the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Student Route, allowing us to support international students studying full-time professional courses such as the Leiths Culinary Diploma.
Although the Leiths Culinary Diploma lasts less than six months, it includes a work experience or work placement component that cannot be undertaken on a Visitor Visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). For this reason, students joining the full Diploma must apply for a Student Visa.
Leiths Education will issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once your offer has been confirmed and all academic and financial requirements have been met. This CAS is required to complete your Student Visa application.
To apply for a Student Visa, you must:
While studying on a Student Visa:
Leiths Education monitors attendance and engagement for all sponsored students in line with UKVI compliance requirements to ensure you remain in good standing with your visa conditions.
Our Admissions and Recruitment Team will guide you through every stage of the process, from eligibility checks to visa documentation and enrolment.
For further information, please contact our Admissions and Recruitment Manager at [email protected].
Yes. If you are not a UK citizen, you will usually need either a Student Visa or a Standard Visitor Visa/Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) depending on the length and structure of your course.
Although the Diploma lasts less than six months, it includes a work experience or placement element. Because of this, you must apply for a Student Visa rather than a Visitor Visa or ETA.
For short courses that last less than six months and do not include any work placement, you can study in the UK using a Standard Visitor Visa or, if eligible, an ETA.
An ETA is a digital permission for eligible nationalities to visit the UK for up to six months, including for study at accredited institutions like Leiths Education. It must be obtained before travel.
A Student Visa allows you to study full-time and take part in a work experience placement as part of your course. A Visitor Visa (or ETA) allows study for up to six months but does not permit any work or placements.
Yes. Leiths Education is a licensed UKVI sponsor and can issue a CAS for eligible students enrolling on the Leiths Culinary Diploma or other qualifying professional courses.
Once you have accepted your offer and met all academic, English language, and financial requirements, Leiths will issue your CAS. You can then apply online via the UK government’s official visa website.
You should apply as early as possible. Visa processing times vary by country and can take six weeks or longer, so we recommend applying at least 12 weeks before your course begins.
If you hold a Student Visa, you may complete your approved work placement as part of your course, but you cannot take on any other paid or unpaid work in the UK. Visitor Visa and ETA students are not permitted to work.
No. Students on a Visitor Visa or ETA cannot extend their stay or switch to another visa while in the UK. If you hold a Student Visa, extensions are only possible in limited circumstances and must be discussed with our Admissions Team.
You will need to meet the minimum English language requirements for your course. For the Leiths Culinary Diploma, this is normally an IELTS score of 6.5 (C1 on the CEFR) or equivalent.
Leiths does not provide on-site accommodation but offers guidance and support to help you find suitable housing in London before your course begins.
You must bring your passport, visa or ETA confirmation, and offer letter from Leiths Education. Border officers may ask to see proof of your course and travel plans.
Yes. All international students must hold valid health and travel insurance covering the entire duration of their stay in the UK.
You can contact our Admissions and Recruitment Manager at [email protected].
Experience what makes the Diploma so special with a 1-to-1 tour of our Culinary School.
Watch Diploma-style demonstrations, meet the teachers and taste life at Leiths.
Our Admissions team love to answer your questions and offer course suggestions to suit your goals.
Sample culinary training Leiths-style with a hands-on class.
Made your decision? Book on a course here and start your future in food.
