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Beauty Therapy (Level 2 City & Guilds Diploma) — Full-time

Course outline

This course is a great choice if you are ready to start your career in the beauty industry and have a passion for making people feel pampered and good about themselves.

This course will provide you with all the foundation beauty treatments needed to work in a salon.

Beauty therapists work in close contact with clients from different age groups and backgrounds. Good social and interpersonal skills, discretion and respect for others are important characteristics. You will also need to have physical stamina as you are often on your feet all day.

You’ll learn treatments including:

  • Beauty related industries
  • Health and safety in the salon
  • Client care
  • Promote products and services
  • Salon reception duties
  • Facial
  • Waxing techniques
  • Manicure
  • Pedicure
  • Eyelash and brow treatments
  • Lash perming
  • Head massage
  • Nail art

The Programme of Study (PoS) will give you the opportunity to not only gain work specific knowledge and skills but will also study English and maths, if you have not already achieved a grade 4 in these subjects. Maths and English will be benefit you in progression not only at college, but also in employment.

The PoS will provide an opportunity to carry out 30 hours of work placement related to your course. You will also be engaging in enrichment activities that include the development of those wider skills which are vitally important when working in industry. These include problem solving, communication, teamwork, collaboration and following instructions, all of which are required when working in industry.

You will also have a pastoral tutorial which will cover current topics including PREVENT, British Values, keeping safe, to name but a few. In addition, you will also have a personal tutor which will set academic targets to keep you on track to achieve.

A dedicated team of lecturers, who have up to date skills and experience, will be delivering your course.

This course will be a hands-on learning experience to ensure you get a solid grounding in the main beauty therapy techniques, using high quality products. You will be expected to work in a commercial salon carrying out treatments on paying clients in addition to studying the underpinning knowledge required to pass end of unit tests.

You will take part in trips, visits, seminars, and competitions alongside your course to further develop your understanding and knowledge of the industry which will be dependent upon your attendance and professional conduct.

How to apply for this course

Apply online to start in 2025/26.

Want to find out more first?

Get in touch by hitting the button below and filling out our enquiry form.

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Location Date
Adams Building
Stoney Street
Nottingham
NG1 1NG

Start: Monday 1st September 2025

Course code: C021823 / Q021824

Qualification

Level 2 City & Guilds Diploma in Beauty Therapy
Duration

1 year
Level Level 2
Entry requirements

You’ll need 4 GCSEs at grades 9–3 (A*–D), including English and maths – one of English or Maths must be grade 9–4 (A*–C).

Functional Skills Level 1 can be used as equivalent to GCSE grade 3 (D) and Functional Skills Level 2 can be used as equivalent to GCSE grade 4 (C) or above.

Students aged 19+ without evidence of English and maths qualifications will complete an initial assessment. Results will need to reflect a grade of a 3 and 4 in English and Maths.

All students must undertake and pass a practical dexterity test prior to enrolment to ensure you are suitable for this course.

If you are a progressing student, you must also have achieved 90% attendance and successfully completed and passed your previous course. Please speak to your tutor regarding your progression options.
Teaching & assessment

You will be assessed via practical observations, assignments, portfolio, and theory-based tests.

Practical skills will be assessed when carrying out treatments on paying clients which will be mapped against the City & Guilds grading criteria of Pass, Merit, or Distinction.
Progression

Choose to follow with further study on our Level 3 Beauty Therapy programme.

Additional information

You will need to buy a kit and uniform. Kit and uniform costs are to be confirmed and can be discussed at interview.

You are not permitted to have nail extensions or nails that are past the tips of your fingers and hair must be tied up and in a bun if below shoulder. Above shoulder hair must be secured away from the face.

You maybe required to provide your own clients.

Please note your timetable may include one late evening per week.

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are aged 19 or over you may still be eligible for funding. Check out our Financial Help pages to find out more!

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Nottingham College is proud to have been recognised as a Ragdale Hall Spa College of Excellence.