- Program Length2 Years
- CredentialDiploma
- Location OfferedNanaimo
The Baking and Pastry Arts Management Diploma
The Baking and Pastry Arts Diploma (BPAM) program at Vancouver Island University provides students with a Diploma in bakery training and management skills, giving graduates a leading edge for advancement in the baking profession. Upon entering the program, baking students are registered as apprentices, gaining technical training while accruing apprentice hours and also participate in two ten-week paid co-operative work placements. The BPAM program prepares students for careers in baking, baking management, and entrepreneurship. This full-time, cohort program provides rigorous hands-on technical baking training combined with theoretical management courses. Utilizing current baking trends and the most up-to-date curriculum, the BPAM program develops a student’s technical baking skills, as well as skills in leadership, communication, human resources, business planning, and financial management to satisfy industry demands for well-rounded, highly employable graduates.
Students in the first year Baking and Pastry Arts Diploma program learn basic and advanced techniques in yeasted products, pastry, sugar, chocolate, and wedding cakes. Students also learn to bake in our wood-fired brick oven. The first year culminates in a ten-week paid co-operative work placement. The second year is designed to teach baking students the advanced skills they will need for a management position in the baking industry. It is delivered over two semesters, followed by a 10-week paid co-operative work placement. Students will take two advanced pastry courses, learn basic culinary techniques, plan and open a pop-up bakery, and take several management courses through VIU’s Department of Hospitality Management. Completion of VIU’s BPAM diploma provides students with advanced credit when applying to the VIU Bachelor of Hospitality Management degree.
BPAM graduates receive a number of credentials including:
- Vancouver Island University Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts Management
- Vancouver Island Certificate in Baking and Pastry Arts
- Credit for Baker Levels 1 and 2 Technical training
- 1740 hours of ITA recognized work-based training hours towards a Baker Red Seal qualification
Year 1 – Fall Semester |
Credits |
---|---|
BAKE 120 - (Preparation for Bake Certificate Co-op) |
1 |
BAKE 124T - (Pastry 1 Basic) |
6.86 |
BAKE 128T - (Yeasted 1 Basic) |
6.86 |
Total Credits |
14.72 |
Year 1 – Spring Semester |
Credits |
---|---|
BAKE 122T - (Bakery Professional Capstone Module) |
4.48 |
BAKE 126T - (Pastry 2 Advanced) |
4.9 |
BAKE 129T - (Yeasted 2 Advanced) |
4.9 |
Total Credits |
14.28 |
Year 1 - Intersession |
Credits |
---|---|
BAKE 130 - (Bake Certificate Co-op) |
9 |
Total Credits |
9 |
Year 2 – Fall Semester |
Credits |
---|---|
BAKE 220 - (Preparation for Bake Diploma Co-op) |
1 |
BAKE 224T - (Introduction to Culinary) |
2 |
BAKE 226T - (Advanced Pastry Part 1) |
3 |
HOSP 180 - (Principles of Services Management) |
3 |
HOSP 185 - (Leadership Skills for Hospitality Professionals) |
3 |
HOSP 215 - (Principles of Services Marketing) |
3 |
Total Credits |
15 |
Year 2 – Spring Semester |
Credits |
---|---|
BAKE 228T - (Advanced Pastry Part 2) |
3 |
ENGL 115 - (University Writing and Research) |
3 |
HOSP 120 - (Accounting Principles) |
3 |
HOSP 242 - (Designing a Baking Business) |
3 |
MGMT 293 - (Human Resource Management) |
3 |
Total Credits |
15 |
Year 2 - Intersession |
Credits |
---|---|
BAKE 230 - (Bake Diploma Co-op) |
9 |
Total Credits |
9 |
Year 1 Admission Requirements
- General trades admission requirements for VIU apply.
- English 12 with a minimum "C+" grade or equivalent.
- A minimum "C+" grade in one of Foundations of Mathematics 11, or Pre-calculus 11, or equivalent.
- Successful completion of assessment testing.
- Submission of copy of Foodsafe Level I certificate.
- Interview with department chair.
- Personal Profile.
Year 2 Admission Requirements
- General trades admission requirements for VIU apply.
- Successful completion of VIU’s Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate program or equivalent.
- English 12 with a minimum "C+" grade or equivalent.
- A minimum "C+" grade in one of Foundations of Mathematics 11, or Pre-calculus 11, or equivalent.
- Submission of copy of Foodsafe Level I certificate.
- Interview with department chair.
- Personal Profile.
Notes on Admission
- Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
- Graduates of a recognized Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate program from another institution may apply for Year 2 entry.
- Applicants entering Year 2 must meet the VIU Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate requirement of 10 weeks of work experience. This can be done by submitting an equivalent number (420) of ITA recognized work-based training hours for Prior Learning Assessment or by taking BAKE 130 and BAKE 230 prior to completing the program.
- Must have the ability to stand for four hours at a time. Must be capable of lifting 20 kg/44 lbs as per industry standard.
Program Regulations
All courses labelled “T” (trades courses) have a mandatory attendance component. Contact the department chair for more details.
Graduates of the Baking and Pastry Arts Management Diploma can pursue entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in the following areas:
- Small business development (bakeries, pastry shops, bakery cafes, chocolate shops);
- Micro-business development in the gig economy (pop-up bakeries, cake decorating businesses);
- Supplying quality baked goods to hotels, resorts, in-store bakeries, cruise ships;
- Managing businesses that provide quality baked goods; and
- Working in tourism and hospitality businesses as bakers, pastry chefs, cake decorators, chocolatiers.
Graduates of the Baking and Pastry Arts Management Diploma can transfer into the third year of the Bachelor of Hospitality Management program after completing a bridging semester.
Graduates of the Baking and Pastry Arts Management Diploma can enroll in Level 3 Technical Training in Baking and, after obtaining the required number of practical hours, write their Baker Red Seal exam.
Domestic Fees | International Fees
Domestic Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
Fees for Year 1 |
Amount |
---|---|
Tuition (10 months x $461.18 per month + 1 academic credit x $153.73) |
4,765.53 |
Lab fee |
441.63 |
Student Activity fee (4% of tuition and lab fee) |
208.29 |
Student Services fee (4.417% of tuition) |
210.49 |
VIU Students' Union fee (13 months x $20.73 per month) |
269.49 |
Co-operative Placement ($667.64 per term) |
667.64 |
Health and Dental Plan fee ($275 per year) |
275.00 |
Books and supplies (approximate costs) |
200.00 |
Baking Kit (approximate costs) |
200.00 |
Total |
7,238.07 |
Fees for Year 2 |
Amount |
---|---|
Tuition (30 credits x $153.73 per credit) |
4,611.90 |
Lab fee |
441.63 |
Student Activity fee (4% of tuition and lab fee) |
202.14 |
Student Services fee (4.417% of tuition) |
203.71 |
VIU Students' Union fee (11 months x $20.73 per month) |
228.03 |
Co-operative Placement ($667.64 per term) |
667.64 |
Health and Dental Plan fee ($275 per year) |
275.00 |
Books and supplies (approximate costs) |
200.00 |
Total |
6,830.05 |
Additional fees apply for textbooks, supplies, laundry expenses, etc.
The Health and Dental Plan fee is in effect only for full-time students at the Nanaimo Campus.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice.
International Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
Fees for Year 1 |
Amount |
---|---|
Tuition (10 months x $2085 per month + 1 academic credit x $695) |
21,545.00 |
Lab Fee |
441.63 |
Ancillary Fee (3 semesters x $381.6 per semester) |
1,144.80 |
VIU Students' Union fee (13 months x $20.73 per month) |
269.49 |
Co-operative Placement ($2085 per term) |
2,085.00 |
Health and Dental Plan fee ($275 per year) |
275.00 |
Books and supplies (approximate costs) |
200.00 |
Baking Kit (approximate costs) |
200.00 |
Total |
26,160.92 |
Fees for Year 2 |
Amount |
---|---|
Tuition (2 semesters x $8340 per semester) |
16,680.00 |
Lab Fee |
441.63 |
Ancillary Fee (3 semesters x $381.6 per semester) |
1,144.80 |
VIU Students' Union fee (11 months x $20.73 per month) |
228.03 |
Co-operative Placement ($2085 per term) |
2,085.00 |
Health and Dental Plan fee ($275 per year) |
275.00 |
Books and supplies (approximate costs) |
200.00 |
Total |
21,054.46 |
The above table is based on 15 credits or less per semester. Additional fees of $695.00 per credit will be applied if taking more than 15 credits per semester.
Additional fees apply for textbooks, supplies, laundry expenses, etc.
The Health and Dental Plan fee is in effect only for full-time students at the Nanaimo Campus.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice.
UpdatedThe program starts in September. Applications for admission are accepted on an ongoing basis.