This qualification is based on the national occupational standards for beauty therapy and includes all the required elements to work effectively as a beauty therapist. Learners will achieve the following units which include:

• Health and safety in the salon
  
• Client care and consultation
  
• Body analysis
  
• Skin analysis
  
• Swedish massage therapy
  
• Body electrical treatment
  
• Facial electrical treatment
  
• Electrical science
  
• Mechanical massage
  
• Anatomy and physiology for the face and body systems

Throughout this course, learners will develop knowledge and understanding of relevant anatomy, physiology and health and safety. Learners develop knowledge, understanding and skills to consult with clients, successfully promote and retail products, provide a range of beauty treatments including Swedish massage, skin and body analysis and electrical science in order to make informed decisions for face and body electrical treatments.

In parallel, learners will develop their communication and customer service skills, their awareness of environmental sustainability and their commercial skills, all of which are valued highly by employers.

Problem solving and research skills will also be developed.

To be awarded this qualification learners must achieve a Pass (or higher) grade in:

• All mandatory units graded practical assessment - Externally set, internally. Assesses practical performance at the unit level.
  
• The external examinations - Externally set and externally marked examinations. Overarching examinations that assess knowledge and understanding from the breadth of mandatory units at the end of the period of learning.
  
• The graded synoptic assessment - Externally set, internally marked. Comprises a range of treatments which assess the application of knowledge, understanding and skills from across the breadth of mandatory units. Conducted at the end of the period of learning
  
• Treatment portfolio - Externally set and internally marked. A prerequisite evidence requirement at the unit level, which must be completed prior to learners undertaking graded practical assessments, the external examinations and graded synoptic assessment.
  

Learners who achieve this qualification are eligible to become members of the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) or Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT). As a beauty therapist, learners could progress directly into employment in a variety of organisations, which include:

• Commercial salons
• Destination/day spas
• Independent/self-employed/mobile/home-based settings
• Health farms
• Cruise liners
• Airlines or hotel chains

Whilst the primary purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners for employment, learners may choose to develop their knowledge and skills further by completing a specialist qualification at Level 4 in one or more of the following areas:

• Salon Management
• Holistic Therapies
• Advanced Beauty Therapy