Diploma in Culinary Arts is a diploma in Culinary Arts programme offered by Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary, Canada. The programme runs for 2 years. Tuition for international students is CAD 734 per credit (CAD 226 per credit for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Diploma
Field:Culinary Arts
Duration: 2 years
Local tuition: CAD 226 / credit
International tuition: CAD 734 / credit
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
This two-year diploma delivers hands-on culinary training in person at SAIT's Main Campus, with small class sizes and instruction from experienced chefs. Coursework moves through foundational cooking techniques, global cuisines, pastry arts, garde manger, and culinary management, with the bulk of scheduled time spent in culinary labs rather than lecture settings; students are expected to put in substantial additional practice and review time outside class. Between the first and second year, students complete a paid internship of at least 320 hours in a professional kitchen, giving the program a formal work-integrated learning component ahead of graduation. Students also get exposure to live service by preparing food for campus dining outlets, including a kitchen-and-bar venue and a market-style outlet. The curriculum follows the Alberta Apprenticeship curriculum, which allows graduates to challenge the provincial Cook certification exams if they choose to pursue that credential. The standard length is two years, with up to seven years allowed to complete all requirements. The program suits candidates who are creative, precise, and physically resilient, with a genuine interest in food and global cuisine, comfort with long periods on their feet and irregular schedules, and the organizational skills needed for menu planning and kitchen management. It accepts international students and is eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Domestic applicants need at least 50% in English Language Arts 10-1, English Language Arts 10-2 or Humanities 10, and at least 50% in Math 10C or Math 10-3. SAIT accepts recognised high school course equivalents for applicants educated outside Alberta, and applicants educated outside Canada must provide an international document assessment showing they meet the same standard. All applicants, including those educated in Canada, must demonstrate English language proficiency before admission (SAIT admissions, English Proficiency). SAIT's institution-wide scale accepts IELTS Academic at 6.0 in each skill, TOEFL iBT at a total score of 4.5 with a 4.5 minimum per section, PTE Academic at 53, the Duolingo English Test at 115 overall with 95 minimum per sub-score, and CAEL at 60 overall with 60 in each skill, among other accepted tests. Applications go through SAIT's online portal with the standard non-refundable fee (CAD 120 domestic, CAD 175 international); international applicants should confirm the program's own international-applicant and Post-Graduation Work Permit status.
Application Details
Application Deadline:Domestic applicants apply through ApplyAlberta: for Fall 2027 entry applications opened 7 October 2026 and close 30 June 2027, while Winter 2027 entry (opened 4 March 2026) closes 23 October 2026 and Spring 2027 entry closes 30 April 2027. International applicants apply through SAIT's Virtual Admissions System; the Fall 2027 window opened 4 August 2026 but SAIT lists the international closing date as still to be announced, while the Winter 2027 international deadline is 30 October 2026. Some allied-health programs, including Respiratory Therapy and Medical Laboratory Technology, close earlier to allow time for entrance testing, though the exact 2027-cycle testing dates were not yet posted. Admission is not rolling: SAIT enforces firm published deadlines, though popular programs can close early and some domestic programs reopen after their deadline if seats remain. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
