Cake Decoration Certificate Level 3
Take your cake decorating skills to the next level with our NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Creative Craft (Cake Decoration). This practical and creative course is designed for learners who want to develop advanced cake decorating techniques, build a professional portfolio and create bespoke cakes to meet real customer requirements.
Delivered part-time over two years, the course provides the opportunity to explore professional design processes, respond to commercial briefs and produce high-quality finished cakes using a range of specialist materials and techniques. Throughout the programme, learners will develop industry-standard skills while creating cakes to real customer specifications.
You’ll learn in a supportive and creative environment, guided by experienced tutors who will help you develop advanced decorating techniques, build a professional portfolio and gain the confidence to work on customer commissions. Through practical projects and real-life briefs, you’ll develop the skills needed to progress within the cake decorating industry or start your own business.
Delivered part-time over two years, the course provides the opportunity to explore professional design processes, respond to commercial briefs and produce high-quality finished cakes using a range of specialist materials and techniques. Throughout the programme, learners will develop industry-standard skills while creating cakes to real customer specifications.
You’ll learn in a supportive and creative environment, guided by experienced tutors who will help you develop advanced decorating techniques, build a professional portfolio and gain the confidence to work on customer commissions. Through practical projects and real-life briefs, you’ll develop the skills needed to progress within the cake decorating industry or start your own business.
Course Information
Course Type:
Adult
Study Mode:
Qualification:
Certificate
Location:
Deane Road Campus
Course Code:
CA901-AD03
Course Length:
25
Start Date:
08/09/2026
Subject Area:
SERVICE INDUSTRIES
Overview
Take your cake decorating skills to the next level with our NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Creative Craft (Cake Decoration). This practical and creative course is designed for learners who want to develop advanced cake decorating techniques, build a professional portfolio and create bespoke cakes to meet real customer requirements.
Delivered part-time over two years, the course provides the opportunity to explore professional design processes, respond to commercial briefs and produce high-quality finished cakes using a range of specialist materials and techniques. Throughout the programme, learners will develop industry-standard skills while creating cakes to real customer specifications.
You'll learn in a supportive and creative environment, guided by experienced tutors who will help you develop advanced decorating techniques, build a professional portfolio and gain the confidence to work on customer commissions. Through practical projects and real-life briefs, you'll develop the skills needed to progress within the cake decorating industry or start your own business.
Delivered part-time over two years, the course provides the opportunity to explore professional design processes, respond to commercial briefs and produce high-quality finished cakes using a range of specialist materials and techniques. Throughout the programme, learners will develop industry-standard skills while creating cakes to real customer specifications.
You'll learn in a supportive and creative environment, guided by experienced tutors who will help you develop advanced decorating techniques, build a professional portfolio and gain the confidence to work on customer commissions. Through practical projects and real-life briefs, you'll develop the skills needed to progress within the cake decorating industry or start your own business.
Group Times
- Tuesday : 18:00 - 21:00
Fees
Tuition Fee: £941.00
You can opt to pay these fees in monthly instalments. You can set this up during the enrolment.
Courses fees are subject to change.
You can opt to pay these fees in monthly instalments. You can set this up during the enrolment.
Courses fees are subject to change.
What You'll Learn
You will develop skills in:
• Advanced cake decorating techniques
• Working with specialist tools, materials and equipment
• Developing and presenting creative design ideas
• Researching and responding to commercial briefs
• Producing professionally finished decorative cakes
• Health and safety within a food production environment
• Evaluating and improving your own work
• Designing and creating cakes to real customer specifications
• Advanced cake decorating techniques
• Working with specialist tools, materials and equipment
• Developing and presenting creative design ideas
• Researching and responding to commercial briefs
• Producing professionally finished decorative cakes
• Health and safety within a food production environment
• Evaluating and improving your own work
• Designing and creating cakes to real customer specifications
How Will I Be Assessed?
Assessment is continuous throughout the programme through the completion of a portfolio of evidence demonstrating practical skills, knowledge and understanding. Learners will undertake a range of design and practical projects, including designing and producing cakes to meet real customer specifications and commercial briefs. There are no formal written examinations.
Entry Requirements
• Aged 19+
• Must hold an NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Creative Craft (Cake Decoration) or an equivalent Level 2 Cake Decorating qualification.
• Learners must hold a Level 2 Food Safety qualification that is current (achieved within the last three years). Applicants who do not hold this qualification at the start of the course will be required to complete it within the first year of study.
• For learners whose first language is not English, a minimum of ESOL Level 1 (or an equivalent English qualification) is required. Entry Level ESOL qualifications are not accepted for this programme.
• Attendance is 3 hours per week over 25 weeks per year for two years, making the course ideal for learners wishing to balance study with work, family, or other commitments.
• Must hold an NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Creative Craft (Cake Decoration) or an equivalent Level 2 Cake Decorating qualification.
• Learners must hold a Level 2 Food Safety qualification that is current (achieved within the last three years). Applicants who do not hold this qualification at the start of the course will be required to complete it within the first year of study.
• For learners whose first language is not English, a minimum of ESOL Level 1 (or an equivalent English qualification) is required. Entry Level ESOL qualifications are not accepted for this programme.
• Attendance is 3 hours per week over 25 weeks per year for two years, making the course ideal for learners wishing to balance study with work, family, or other commitments.
I'm Interested, What Next?
Apply now to get priority access to enrol onto this course. We will let you know once the priority access window opens
Future Opportunities
Successful completion of this qualification may lead to:
• Further specialist creative craft qualifications
• Patisserie courses
• Self-employment within the cake decorating industry
• Employment in cake decorating, bakery or creative craft roles
This qualification can support progression into careers such as:
• Cake Decorator
• Celebration Cake Designer
• Sugar Craft Specialist
• Bakery Professional
• Self-employed Cake Designer
• Further specialist creative craft qualifications
• Patisserie courses
• Self-employment within the cake decorating industry
• Employment in cake decorating, bakery or creative craft roles
This qualification can support progression into careers such as:
• Cake Decorator
• Celebration Cake Designer
• Sugar Craft Specialist
• Bakery Professional
• Self-employed Cake Designer
Who Can I Speak To?
The Department Administrator is Sarah Lewis Tel: 01204 482 333
Or email: catering.email@boltoncc.ac.uk
Anything Else I Need to Know?
- To achieve the qualification, learners must complete four mandatory units:
• Craft Techniques, Materials, Tools and Equipment
• Develop Craft Ideas
• Explore Commercial Craft Briefs
• Produce Cake Decoration Work in Response to a Commercial Craft Brief
- Learners will be required to practice at home.
- Learners must buy and supply their own tools/equipment & ingredients.
- The equipment list will be discussed and given out by the tutor in the first class. No equipment is supplied or provided by the college.
- As it is intended that the items produced on the course are for eating, learners are expected to wear an apron, have appropriate flat, closed footwear and have long hair tied back.
Please note there is no baking on this course.
• Craft Techniques, Materials, Tools and Equipment
• Develop Craft Ideas
• Explore Commercial Craft Briefs
• Produce Cake Decoration Work in Response to a Commercial Craft Brief
- Learners will be required to practice at home.
- Learners must buy and supply their own tools/equipment & ingredients.
- The equipment list will be discussed and given out by the tutor in the first class. No equipment is supplied or provided by the college.
- As it is intended that the items produced on the course are for eating, learners are expected to wear an apron, have appropriate flat, closed footwear and have long hair tied back.
Please note there is no baking on this course.
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