Beauty Therapy Treatments - Level 3
Summary
Gain advanced beauty therapy skills to ensure your success in the beauty therapy industry. Co-created with employers, the Level 3 Beauty Therapy Diploma delivers the skills needed for a rewarding career in a range of salon and spa settings. The focus is on developing excellent practical skills supported by the relevant theory to offer clients the benefits of relaxation, stress reduction and pain relief.
You will develop a range of practical treatment techniques while also learning about epilation, facial and body electrical treatments, stone massage, skin and body analysis, and client consultation. This internationally-recognised qualification supports progression to employment, higher level study and membership of professional bodies.
Next course dates
| Start date | Location | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
02 Sep 2026
|
Bispham Campus
|
1 Year
|
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
This qualification leads to employment as a beauty therapist in a commercial salon/spa setting or to careers in education, training and retail. Since it has international recognition, there is also the option to work overseas and/or on cruise ships. Others set up their own business.
Some students choose to develop their skills, knowledge and career potential further by progressing to a level 4 qualification.
Employment Opportunities
A major benefit of this qualification is that it leads to membership of recognised professional bodies such as the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) and the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT).
Career Options and Progression
This qualification leads to employment as a beauty therapist in a commercial salon/spa setting or to careers in education, training and retail. Since it has international recognition, there is also the option to work overseas and/or on cruise ships. Others set up their own business.
Some students choose to develop their skills, knowledge and career potential further by progressing to a level 4 qualification.
A major benefit of this qualification is that it leads to membership of recognised professional bodies such as the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) and the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT).
Key information
Entry Requirements
Successful completion of Level 2 qualification in related subject (Students can re-sit English and maths GCSE alongside this course)
Plus
- Good communication and dexterity skills
- Keen desire to work with the general public
- A successful discussion with a tutor
- The ability to study independently
- Hardworking approach towards the industry
Qualification obtained
Diploma in Beauty Therapy TreatmentsFees and funding
Courses for learners who are 16-18 years old at the start of their course and resident in the UK are fully funded. You may also be entitled to further financial help to support your studies depending on your personal circumstances. For more details of these, please visit our page on Finance Support for School Leavers.
If you are not a UK resident, we will confirm whether funding is available when we process your application. If not, you may be liable for course fees.
Extra costs and equipment
For 16-18 year olds all equipment, including a uniform, is provided by the college. For 19+ students a uniform, at a cost of £35, must be purchased (order forms are provided by the College).
Full, flat, black, leather or durable shoes (no trainers or fabric) must be purchased and worn at all times with the uniform.
All students will be expected to provide their own stationery, to include: pens, notepad and an A4 folder.
All students will also require a bun ring as hair must be up in a bun at all times whilst in College. Replacement ID badges will be at a cost of £3 or £8 if incorporated with a bus pass. The purchase of a fob watch is optional. For photocopying, students are provided with the first 80 black and white free of charge. Any additional copies for black and white are charged at 4p per copy.
An enrichment calendar will be made available at the start of the academic year. There will be a wide variety of opportunities for participation, however, these are not mandatory. The costs will vary according to activity and will be available to you at sign up. One such external trip is to the Professional Beauty North Trade Show which is an excellent opportunity to view the latest technology from the leading professional businesses and to network with colleagues from your industry.
Regulation and Accreditation
Accrediting Institution: N/A
Awarding Body: Vocational Training Charitable Trust
Regulatory Body: Ofsted
Terms and conditions
Read our full terms and conditions.
What will I learn?
Essential skills: English and Maths
All school leavers at B&FC are encouraged to continue developing their English and maths skills as higher ability in both these subjects is linked to long-term career success and increased earning potential - irrespective of how well you performed at GCSE. If, however, you achieve a GCSE Grade 3 or less in either subject, you will also have the opportunity to work towards re-sitting these to enhance your paper-based qualifications. This won’t delay your career journey because you will be undertaking this programme of study at the same time as your chosen subject.
Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers
Work placement is a compulsory element of the study programme for all 16-18 year olds. Students will spend one day per week in a work placement.
For students aged over 19, work placement is encouraged and dates set on an individual basis. Please note it is your responsibility to find your placement.
How will I learn?
Our expert tutors understand that everyone learns in different ways so they use a range of teaching methods to enable everyone to achieve their potential.
A key method used is demonstration, which allows you to observe the practical application of your skills before having a go yourself. You will also be expected to model for your peers (so you can experience the therapies first-hand).
Along with practical salon sessions, the programme consists of group work, presentations and dedicated self-study periods. These need to be supported by your own study outside of College, using online development platforms such as Moodle, our virtual learning environment.
E-learning is a key element of all our courses and we also use a range of online apps to support, enhance and motivate learning. Your tutors will support you with these technologies and also in preparing for exams.
Over the year, timetabled sessions total 385 hours. Depending on your qualifications, you will also need to devote additional time to maths and English (up to 120 hours for each discipline). We will calculate and confirm these amounts when you start your course.
All students are expected to devote at least 220 hours to independent study and spend at least 20 hours on a relevant work placement.
Expert tutors
All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.
Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment is continuous and both formative (allowing you to regularly reflect on and improve your performance) and summative (carried out at the end of a learning period). We will assess your practical work as and when you are ready.
Throughout your programme you will need to set up and maintain an online portfolio of evidence, which you can then download on completion.
Assessment Methods
The following table outlines the units you will study along with the type and number of assessment methods used.
| Unit | Online Tests | Practical Observations | Written Assignments |
| Body Massage | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Body Electrical Treatments | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| Electrical Epilation Treatments | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| Stone Therapy | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Facial Electricals | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Contributing to the Planning and Implementation of Promotional Activities | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Monitoring Procedures to Safely Control Work Operations | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Assessment is continuous and both formative (allowing you to regularly reflect on and improve your performance) and summative (carried out at the end of a learning period). We will assess your practical work as and when you are ready.
Throughout your programme you will need to set up and maintain an online portfolio of evidence, which you can then download on completion.