New Bachelor's course in International Gastronomy Management launched at Marco Pierre White, SA1 Swansea Waterfront

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) launched a new degree course in International Gastronomy Management on Thursday 5th May at Marco Pierre White's restaurant, close to the University's SA1 Waterfront Campus.

The aim of this programme is to provide graduates with a qualification that meets the needs of the Welsh, UK and global restaurant and hospitality industry, aiding employability. The practice-led teaching will be supplemented with guest lectures and field trips to restaurants, food producers, specific food markets, and artisan wine and beverage producers.

As well as restaurant- and gastronomy-specific skills, the programme has modules that embed transferable skills of innovation, resilience, personal initiative and responsibility, problem solving and creativity, reflective practice, and the development of an enterprising mind-set.

Speakers at today’s launch included UWTSD’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Dylan E Jones and Professor Wendy Dearing, Dean of the University’s Institute of Management and Health, and the event also included a video highlighting the South Wales businesses who will be hosting students on placement.

With a distinguished guest list including many industry professionals from across the sector and region, the event provided students and all those involved in the programme with an excellent networking opportunity.

Rhys Andrews, General Manager at Marco Pierre White restaurant said: "We are delighted to host the launch of the BA International Gastronomy Management, which is something we have worked closely with the University on. The course promises to help develop the future stars of our industry, putting a spotlight on Hospitality as a career path, and will help drive the next wave of talented youngsters into the sector following a few difficult years.” 

With employability at the heart of the programme, half of the teaching will be delivered to students through industry placements with leading local providers, such as the Cygnus Group, the Secret Hospitality Group, the Seren Collection and Jessica Rice Events.

This will enable students to build strong working relationships with future employers and gain crucial practical experience while bolstering and supporting the industry by providing local establishments with trained and capable workers.

Dr Jayne Griffith Parry, Programme Manager for the new course at UWTSD, said: “It has been a wonderful experience working with industry professionals to write a degree programme that aims to meet the need for future employability of our students, whilst ensuring they gain practical skills and contemporary knowledge to support their development. It is essential that hospitality is taken seriously and that careers within it are seen as valuable professional pathways for individual growth and development.”

Neil Kedward, Founder and Managing Director of Seren Collection which will be a placement provider, said: “We are passionate about promoting all that is great about hospitality for young people, and look forward to working closely with the University to make sure their students get world class hospitality opportunities right here in Southwest Wales. 

“The new International Gastronomy Management course is a hugely credible route for those wishing to pursue a professional career in restaurants, and also represents an excellent opportunity for our existing staff to get a degree alongside work. Seren is delighted and fully supportive of the University as it continues to build a Hospitality Management School with a truly international perspective and pedigree.”

The new course, which can be undertaken as a Certificate of Higher Education, a Diploma of Higher Education, or a full Bachelor of Arts, forms an excellent bridge between Further Education and Higher Education and can be started in September, January, or April.

Learners will also receive bespoke careers guidance as well as skills development sessions to improve confidence, such as mock interviews and LinkedIn training to improve their online presence.

More information about applying for the course can be found on UWTSD’s website. This year UWTSD is celebrating 200 years of higher education in Wales. From the seeds sown in Lampeter over two centuries ago and the development of our campuses, we have grown into a multi-campus, dual-sector University providing vocationally relevant programmes in partnership with employers.

Further Information

Ella Staden

Swyddog y Wasg a'r Cyfryngau

Press and Media Officer

Cyfathrebu Corfforaethol a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus

Corporate Communications and PR

Email : ella.staden@uwtsd.ac.uk