When we talk about culinary arts, your first thought immediately leads to a chef working in a restaurant. Although that is partially correct, culinary arts is much more than simply cooking. Culinary arts programs revolve around the arts of presenting, cooking, preparing, and serving food. Considering today’s technological advancements, potential careers that you can enjoy when you take up a culinary arts-related degree are being a beverage professional, nutritionist, food writer and marketer, restaurant manager, and food and beverage instructor, among others.
Most culinary arts graduates hold positions in the food and beverage industry, where they take an essential role in the production and distribution of foods. Professionals in the field also partake in food processing, leading the safety management and ensuring the quality of the products. Since consumers’ tastes and preferences change over time, the industry also continuously innovates to update the flavors, service, and preparation. This reason alone leads to the fact that effective and efficient culinary arts graduates who are full of fresh ideas are highly needed in the actual field.
It is not a hidden knowledge that culinary schools are expensive, especially for an international student like you. Luckily, we’ve gathered several free culinary arts schools that will help shape you to become a renowned professional in the industry someday.
Which Countries Are the Best for Culinary Arts?
Some of the best countries for culinary arts are France, Peru, India, and Switzerland. These countries are known for their high-quality teaching, availability of local ingredients, and cooking traditions and techniques that have survived generations. While our Open Courses Page currently has unavailable culinary arts courses, you can still check related offerings, such as Hospitality and Tourism Management courses, and learn more about studying abroad.
Free Culinary Arts Schools
1. Technical University of Munich
The Technical University of Munich is a public higher education institution in Germany. Since 1868, the university has aimed to deliver the best education for its students, which is why it has grown to become one of the most reputable institutions worldwide. Currently, it educates more than 35,000 students with over 5,000 teaching staff. This proves that TUM continues to bring in students locally and internationally because of its exceptional program offerings.
TUM is an excellent and free culinary arts school, with its Institute of Food and Health committed to gaining knowledge to benefit human health. It focuses on covering areas related to the influence of food on human metabolic function and digestive health, the wonders of human nutrition, and the holistic aspect of industrial food production. These skills and training are essential, especially if you want to become a future nutritionist or food processor.
Graduates at TUM are well-accepted by leading companies in the food and beverage industry because they are proven to be competent in any career they pursue. After your studies at the university, you are highly likely to be able to produce food in accordance with the legal and hygiene requirements, examine foods technically and sensory, and evaluate food production efficiency.
2. Lund University
Founded in 1666, Lund University is one of Sweden’s finest and oldest universities. The school’s goal is to produce well-adept graduates that will help in creating an innovative and sustainable society.
The university’s culinary arts-related degrees prepare students to face the fast-paced food and beverage industry. The programs are closely aligned to market needs in order to keep up with the latest trends and changes in the industry. During your studies, you will meet not only renowned food researchers but also guest lectures from different food companies. Lund University’s partnership with the local industry opens up thousands of possibilities for its students, especially since this career path needs intensive practice and training.
3. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Norwegian University of Science and Technology is also a good place to start your culinary arts career. Although this free culinary arts school only offers one related degree, rest assured that you will gain the utmost knowledge and skills because NTNU is considered one of the best universities in Norway.
Throughout your stay here, you will be trained to help contribute someday to the quality assurance, innovation, and safety of the food industry. Since food is Norway’s second-largest industry, graduates are expected to be as efficient and wise as possible to continue to boost the country’s economy.
The university offers free tuition to all students. However, its culinary arts-related degree uses Norwegian as the medium of instruction. To get a slot, you must provide the necessary documents to prove your Norwegian language proficiency.
4. University of Turku
The University of Turku is located in the southwestern part of Finland and is considered the third-largest university in the country.
The university upholds an interactive and inspiring learning environment by maintaining its student-centered values. Students at the university are also known for being active members of the community due to their creativity, principles, and intelligence in solving major societal problems.
Its degree in food development provides you with competence in meeting the challenges in the food industry. It will provide students with an understanding of the relationship between different aspects and functions of food while also putting emphasis on the influence of various food factors on the sensory properties and health of human beings. Once you graduate from the university, you will have a deep understanding of the different methods of food development and apply them to whatever specific career you have in mind.
The University of Turku is very generous when it comes to motivated and merited students. The institution offers a series of scholarship programs for outstanding students that are not eligible for the tuition fee exemption.
5. University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is a free culinary arts school offering related degrees that will help you secure a career in the food industry. During your studies at the university, you will be working on the tastiness, healthiness, and sustainability to ensure the utmost quality of different food products.
Advancement in technologies has made food production extremely complex, and so there is a growing demand for qualified graduates who can easily adapt to new technologies. The University of Copenhagen will aid in strengthening your skills and equip you with up-to-date knowledge of international food rules and quality control in order to heighten your global competence.
Since the programs are also taught in English and aligned with global food standards, rest assured that you will have a solid foundation for an international career.
We hope this article on free culinary arts schools was informative and helpful. To know more information like this, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
