Cook

Study to Become a Cook at Tredu Santalahdentie!

Gain professional skills in restaurant and catering services, customer service, and English skills. Specializing in cooking, you’ll learn to prepare delicious meals, manage kitchen hygiene, and work as part of a restaurant team.

Cooks master ingredients, plan and plate dishes, and use kitchen tools safely and efficiently. They understand nutrition, special diets, and follow hygiene standards. Workplaces include restaurants, cafés, hotels, catering companies, and fine dining and lunch restaurants. Our students also acquire hygiene passport and Emergency First Aid Training as part of their studies.

Key strengths in this field:

• Taste and creativity
• Craftsmanship and teamwork
• Language skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Flexibility and responsibility
• Sales and service skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset
• Physical fitness is an advantage

Content of the degree

The scope of the Vocational Qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services is 180 competence points. The qualification is composed of vocational units (145 competence points) and common units (35 competence points).
Check out the Requirements of Vocational Qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services at the site of Finnish National Agency for Education.

The vocational qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services has two competence areas:

• competence area of customer service (waiter/waitress) and
• competence area of food services (cook)

The preliminary selection of the competence area will be done in the application document. Note! Spring 2026 application is only for competence area of food services (cook). Tredu provides perfect facilities for training at the college’s own lunch restaurant Elmeri and cafeteria Eevi, before the on-the-job periods in Finland or abroad.

Duration of studies

2-3 years or according to the personal skills development plan. The studies are carried out during daytime and also in the evenings.

Do double examination

It is possible to prepare for the national matriculation examination during the studies and combine the general upper secondary education with this in five subjects (Finnish as a mother tongue, Swedish, Mathematics, English and a theoretical subject). These studies are carried out during daytime. The language of instruction is Finnish.

Requirements for student selection

• Qualification equivalent to Finnish primary education (grades 1-9). Applicants of compulsory education age are prioritized. All certificates must be translated into Finnish or English by a certified translator. Please note, that you are not qualified to apply if you have a vocational education or bachelor’s degree in Finland.
• Citizenship or residence permit in Finland or in EU/ETA/Schengen countries, valid until 30th June 2026 or longer. Please attach a photo of your residence permit (both sides) on the application form.
• Fluent in English language. Language skills (both written and spoken) will be tested in the admission interview (for those who are invited).
• Basic level of Finnish language is required. If the applicant is of compulsory school age, Finnish is not required. Language skills (both written and spoken) will be tested in the admission interview (for those who are invited).

No exceptions will be made, and we don’t ask for supplements. The application will be automatically cancelled if you have not attached the required supplements on your application, or if you don’t meet the requirements listed. Please note, that the applications are handled daily during the admission period.

Applicants under 18 years living abroad must have a guardian (parent, grandparent, close relative, sports coach etc.) living in Finland. We will check the eligibility and guardian’s information before inviting the applicant to an interview.

Motivation and Finnish and English language skills are tested in an admission interview. Interviews will be held in Tampere, Finland (online interview is not possible). Invitations are sent via email.

Total amount of 50 persons will be invited to the admission interview. Priority is given to applicants already living in Finland. If you don’t attend the interview, your application will be cancelled automatically. If there are more than 50 eligible applicants, we will use random selection to determine who we interview.

Check out our video about Restaurant and Catering studies:

How to apply

Fill out the application form in Opintopolku.

Admission procedure (information will be updated):

• Admission period 17.2.-17.3.2026
• The admission interviews will be held at Tredu Pyynikki campus, (Santalahdentie 10) Tampere. Not online.
• The results of student selection will be announced by June 2026.
• The deadline for accepting the study place is in one week after the student selection announcements.
• The studies begin on 5th of August 2026.

Study language: English

Location of studies: Tredu Santalahdentie 10, Tampere, Finland

Further Information

Guidance Councellor
Saija Hellsten
+358 41 730 7299
saija.hellsten@tampere.fi

TreduNavi Admission Services
e-mail: tredu.haku@tampere.fi