Combination Professional Chef and Professional Patisserie Programme Course Requirements at Capsicum
The Combination Professional Chef and Professional Patisserie Programme is an occupational Certificate offered by Capsicum for 2027 learners, taking 2 years full-time to complete. This page covers the Grade 12 subjects and admission score you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.
Grade 12 Required Subjects to study Combination Professional Chef and Professional Patisserie Programme at Capsicum
- You must be at least 18 years old
- The chef component requires Grade 10 or NQF level 2 with Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
- The patisserie component requires Grade 12 or NQF level 4 with Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
- Confirm your eligibility with a Capsicum student advisor
About this course
This combined programme joins Capsicum's two flagship one-year courses, Professional Chef and Professional Patisserie, into a single two-year study plan. Learners work towards the QCTO Occupational Certificate: Cook (NQF 4, SAQA ID 102296) and the CATHSSETA Certificate: Patisserie (NQF 5, SAQA ID 73292), together with the related City & Guilds awards.
It suits school leavers who want to be all-round chefs, comfortable on the hot line as well as in the pastry section. Being able to do both makes graduates more flexible for smaller kitchens, hotels and catering companies, where staff often cover several sections.
The first part of the programme covers cooking: food safety, ingredients, nutrition, kitchen numeracy, stock control and a wide range of cooking methods, plus supervision and communication. The pastry part covers cakes, sponges, biscuits, dough and paste products, plated desserts and running a pastry operation. Work-integrated learning in industry kitchens is part of both.
The programme is full-time with intakes in February and July, and is offered at Capsicum campuses around the country. Because the patisserie component needs a Grade 12 pass, check the entry requirements for both parts with an advisor before applying.
Possible careers
Course intelligence for Combination Professional Chef and Professional Patisserie Programme
Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.
Job market outlook
Good sign: Chef appears on South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand, a Department of Higher Education and Training analysis of employer hiring activity. Employers have been reporting real recruitment pressure for this role, which generally works in your favour once you’ve completed Combination Professional Chef and Professional Patisserie Programme.
NSFAS funding
NSFAS does not usually fund students at private institutions like Capsicum. Ask Capsicum directly about its own bursaries or payment plans, and check whether a sector SETA offers funding for this field.
Admission chances
Capsicum’s intake and this course’s requirements with its published admission requirements generally leave more room than the most sought-after courses, so you likely have a reasonable window to apply without rushing, though applying early is always the safer bet.
These insights are estimates generated from South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand (DHET, November 2023 draft), NSFAS’s published funding rules, and this university’s general applicant demand. They’re planning guidance, not a guarantee. Always confirm funding and admission specifics directly with Capsicum and NSFAS.
How to apply for 2027 studies
Apply online through the Capsicum student portal (student.capsicumcooking.com/signup) and pay the R1 000 application fee. Have a certified copy of your ID, your latest school results or highest qualification and proof of address ready. International applicants also need a valid study visa, which can take six to eight weeks. Places per intake are limited, so apply well before the start date.
Ready to apply? This takes you straight to Capsicum Culinary Studio’s own official application page.
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View all Courses at Capsicum
- Duration
- 2 years full-time
- Fees
- 2026 cash fee (Rosebank, Ruimsig, Pretoria, Cape Town): R203 500 for the two-year programme, or R215 760 over 24 monthly instalments after a deposit
- Application deadline
- Intakes in February and July
- Campus
- Rosebank Campus, Johannesburg
- Boksburg Campus, Boksburg
- Pretoria Campus, Pretoria
- Ruimsig Campus, Roodepoort
- Cape Town Campus, Cape Town
- Durban Campus, Umhlanga
- Nelson Mandela Bay Campus, Gqeberha
What Courses Do I Qualify For in South Africa?
Enter your own subject marks and we'll show you real courses you're likely to qualify for, right now, plus what those courses tend to lead to: how in-demand the work is, whether NSFAS is likely to fund it, and how competitive admission is.
Related courses
Source: Official website: https://www.capsicumcooking.com/combined-culinary-programmes, last verified 2026-09-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with Capsicum Culinary Studio before applying.