Professional Patisserie Programme Course Requirements at Capsicum
The Professional Patisserie Programme is a certificate offered by Capsicum for 2027 learners, taking 1 year full-time; also offered part-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 Professional Patisserie Programme at Capsicum
- Grade 12 pass or an NQF level 4 qualification
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy is required
- You must be at least 18 years old
- International students need a valid study visa
About this course
The Professional Patisserie Programme trains pastry chefs and bakers. Learners earn the CATHSSETA Certificate: Patisserie at NQF level 5 (SAQA ID 73292) plus the City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Professional Patisserie and Confectionery.
It suits people who enjoy precise, detailed work and who want to specialise in cakes, pastries, breads and desserts. It needs a Grade 12 pass, so it is a good choice for matriculants or for cooks who want to add pastry skills. The full-time course runs for one year with intakes in February and July, and a part-time version is also offered. All seven campuses offer it.
Modules include:
- hospitality and baking foundations
- hygiene and safety
- bakery and dessert principles
- cakes, biscuits and sponges
- dough products and paste-based products
- plated desserts and puddings
- sustainability
- running a pastry operation as a business
Work-integrated learning is built into the programme. Fees include two uniforms, safety boots, a pastry knife set and access to Capsicum's Talent Exchange employment programme. Optional specialisation modules cover artisan bread, French patisserie and confectionery, and sugar craft.
Graduates can go on to the Professional Chef or Advanced Professional Chef programmes, or to a higher certificate in hospitality management.
Possible careers
Course intelligence for 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 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
- 1 year full-time; also offered part-time
- NQF Level
- 5
- Fees
- 2026 cash fees (Rosebank, Ruimsig, Pretoria, Cape Town): R101 500 full-time or R75 500 part-time, plus a R1 000 application fee
- 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?
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Related courses
Source: Official website: https://www.capsicumcooking.com/professional-patisserie, last verified 2026-09-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with Capsicum Culinary Studio before applying.