Waiter/Waitress

Come and study at Tredu Santalahdentie! The Restaurant and Catering Services program provides an opportunity to become a skilled waiter or waitress: who is an expert in customer service. Waiter/Waitresses play a pivotal role in maintaining customer satisfaction while working in various roles within the restaurant industry. During their studies, students acquire an understanding of serving methods and learn about sales and customer service. Our students also obtain alcohol and hygiene passports as part of their studies.

A waiter/waitress who has completed the qualification knows how to

• work in customer service tasks at restaurants with different business ideas or missions or in public sector units
• tidy customer facilities and display products to be sold
• present, sell, and serve food and beverages

Common job opportunities include: Cafés, restaurants, pubs, night clubs, fast food, staff canteens, transport stations and catering or tourism service companies and various institutions.

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 (Opens in a new window)

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 2025 application is only for competence area of customer service (waiter/waitress). 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

Three 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.

Check out our video about Restaurant and Catering studies:

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 2025 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.

Foreign applicants under 18 years must have a legal 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 in April-May (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.

How to apply

Fill out the application form in Opintopolku.

Admission procedure:

• Admission period is February 17th – March19 th, 2025.
• The admission interview will be held on 14.4. and 15.4.2025 at Tredu Pyynikki campus, (Santalahdentie 10) Tampere.
• Note! If you have applied for several English study programs, your interview date is 17 April 2025.
• The results of student selection will be announced on weeks 23-24, on June 12th at the latest.
• The deadline for accepting the study place is in one week after the student selection announcements.
• The studies begin on 6th August 2025.

Study language: English
Location of studies: Tredu Santalahdentie 10, Tampere, Finland (not online)

Further Information

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

TreduNavi Admission Services
e-mail: tredu.haku@tampere.fi
tel +358 40 170 5649