Join us for our free webinar – Wednesday, 8 July 2026, 7-8pm, and discover Leiths Education’s Level 7 and PGCE qualifications in partnership with Roehampton University.
Join us for our free webinar – Wednesday, 8 July 2026, 7-8pm, and discover Leiths Education’s Level 7 and PGCE qualifications in partnership with Roehampton University.
Many people who would like to train as food teachers already have experience in food or education – they just need the qualification to go with it.
Delivered jointly by Leiths Education and the University of Roehampton, this is a Masters-level qualification in food teaching. Alongside ten sessions at Leiths Culinary School that blend classroom and kitchen learning, you’ll complete a structured home cookery programme covering 30 Leiths recipes, all supported by step-by-step cookalong videos via the Leiths Education Portal.
Applicants do not require a first degree to apply, only good experience in food or education.
Our Admissions team love to answer your questions and talk through course suggestions that suit your goals.
Made your decision? Apply for this course here and start your future in food.
Learn more about how to start your career as a food teacher.
There is a shortage of food teachers in the UK. The Level 7 qualifies you to work across a wide range of settings – independent schools, academies, free schools, further education colleges and more. For degree holders, it also supports a pathway to QTS.
You don’t need an undergraduate degree to be considered. What matters is strong experience in food, in education or both. The course attracts chefs, food technicians, teaching assistants, food industry professionals and career changers with a serious background in food.
From knowing how to design a lesson, manage a food room and even teaching practical kitchen skills with authority, the content covered here is at the depth you’d find in a Masters programme. Every in-person classroom theory session is paired with time learning in the professional teaching kitchens at Leiths Culinary School.
The Level 7 combines ten specialist in-person sessions at Leiths Culinary School with a structured home cookery programme covering 30 Leiths recipes.
Each in-person session pairs a theory session delivered by the University of Roehampton with a practical session in the Leiths teaching kitchen. The two are designed to work together: a session on cost-effective curriculum planning, for example, is followed by time in the kitchen building a scheme of work around a whole chicken – jointing, skinning, braising and checking for doneness.
The 30 Leiths recipes are completed at home at your own pace via the Leiths Education Portal. Each recipe is broken down into individual step-by-step cookalong videos filmed by a Leiths chef teacher, so you can pause, rewatch and practise each technique as many times as you like. You’ll photograph your completed dishes and upload brief evaluations as evidence of learning.
Budget approximately £300 for ingredients across the full course of ‘at-home’ recipes.
Students must attend at least 80% of in-person sessions to be eligible for the Advanced Certificate.
The 30 Leiths recipes are drawn from the full range of culinary skills required to deliver GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition and equivalent Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications. Each recipe is supported by written notes and a cookalong video from a Leiths chef teacher via the Leiths Education Portal. You’ll document your progress through photographs and written evaluations, uploaded as evidence.
Budget approximately £300 for ingredients across the full course of ‘at-home’ recipes. Recipes make multiple portions, and many draw on store cupboard staples.
A selection of recipes from the course
Each day will comprise a morning ‘theory session’ delivered by UoR and an afternoon hands on ‘practical skills session’ delivered by Leiths. All ingredients, supporting teaching and learning notes are provided.
Example in-person sessions at Leiths Culinary School
The University of Roehampton’s theory sessions cover:
Leiths Education’s practical sessions put that thinking to work in the kitchen:
Students must have attendance of ≥80% of the in-person sessions to be eligible for the Advanced Certificate.
The in-person teaching at Leiths Culinary School for the Level 7 runs in two formats. Both cover exactly the same content and lead to the same qualification.
Monthly Cohort – Ten in-person sessions delivered one to two days per month over a nine-month academic year. This course does not run during the summer holidays.
Intensive Cohort – Ten in-person sessions delivered across two full-time weeks, always scheduled during school holiday periods.
Monthly Cohort
23rd October 2026, 13th November 2026, 4th December 2026, 8th January 2027, 22nd January 2027, 26th February 2027, 19th March 2027, 23rd April 2027, 14th May 2027, 11th June 2027
Intensive Cohort
Monday 26th – Friday 30th October 2026
Monday 15th – Friday 19th February 2027
No undergraduate degree is required. Our admissions team looks at every application individually and will speak with you personally before a decision is made. If you’re not sure whether your background qualifies, get in touch.
Students must also complete all 30 at-home cookery course lessons and complete a Leiths Level 2 Food Safety certificate.
Apply for a grant?
https://aset.org.uk/individual-awards/
The All Saints Educational Trust (ASET) give Individual awards to UK trainee and practising Religious Education and Home Economics (including Food and Textiles) subject teachers, support teacher education and help teachers improve their expertise through professional development. In short, to help people become teachers, better teachers or to encourage them to stay in the profession.
ASET support:
There are two opportunities to apply for the year 2026-27 courses:
For teacher trainee applicants who have already been accepted on a University or equivalent course
For applicants seeking a teaching top up qualification to follow their initial degree, or those seeking a school-based teaching qualification, or those wishing to further their classroom teaching career with additional qualifications or CPD, you can also apply for awards
To apply, click ‘Apply now’ at the top of this page to access the application form.
What to bring to the in-person days:
We are happy to make adjustments where possible.
Please read our full policy on allergies and dietary restrictions here.
Setting the standard since 1975
From Michelin kitchens to yachts, the shelves of Waterstones to TikTok, supper clubs to TV
Individual guidance from expert chef tutors to refine your technique
The qualifications required and needed to teach food – and the required qualifications for a food teacher specifically – depend on where you want to teach. For state-maintained schools, you will need Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), typically but not exclusively gained through a PGCE. For independent schools, academies, free schools and further education colleges, formal teaching qualifications are not always required – strong professional experience in food or education is often sufficient. Both the PGCE in Food & Nutrition and the Level 7 Advanced Certificate of Professional Development in Food Education provide a recognised qualification in food teaching.
A Masters-level qualification in food education, delivered jointly by Leiths Education and the University of Roehampton. It covers curriculum design, food science, assessment practice and practical teaching skills, and leads to a nationally recognised Level 7 certificate awarding 30 Masters-level credits.
People with strong experience in food, in education or both, who want to move into food teaching. That includes former chefs, teaching assistants, food industry professionals and career changers from entirely different fields. A number of graduates were already working in schools when they enrolled. We look at every application individually.
No. The Level 7 Advanced Certificate was designed to be accessible to people without an undergraduate degree, provided they have substantial relevant experience in food or education. Contact our admissions team if you’d like to discuss your application.
You’ll attend ten specialist in-person training days and complete 30 structured cookery tasks at home. Each task comes with clear guidance and video support, helping you grow your confidence in both teaching and practical skills.
Yes. You can join a monthly programme or choose an intensive block format. Both routes follow the same curriculum so you can select the option that fits your schedule.
This course does not give you QTS, but it can support your route into teaching. With two years of full-time teaching experience you may be able to apply for QTS assessment without completing a PGCE.
You’ll need English language skills at GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent plus a short personal statement and CV. If you’re unsure about eligibility our team is happy to advise.
Level 7 courses run throughout the academic year with several enrolment points and flexible delivery options.
Graduates go on to teach food in schools, develop curriculum materials, run community food programmes or work in training and education roles across the food sector.
Apply or register your interest for the Level 7 Advanced Certificate of Professional Development in Food Education
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Our Admissions team love to answer your questions and talk through course suggestions that suit your goals.
Made your decision? Book on to this course here and start your future in food.
Discover the complete pathway to becoming a qualified food teacher, from gaining your QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) to launching a rewarding career in food education.
