Creative Beauty : NQ (Level 5)
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Course overview
Begin your journey into the world of holistic beauty and wellbeing.
This 18-week introductory course is ideal for anyone interested in the relaxing, therapeutic side of the beauty industry — from school leavers to adults seeking a new career path.
You’ll train in our state-of-the-art salons, learning from experienced industry professionals who will guide you through every stage of your development. Working with real clients in our open salons, you’ll gain confidence in delivering treatments that promote both beauty and wellness.
The course covers the core fundamentals of holistic beauty, including facials, waxing and massage, along with anatomy and physiology, client consultation and professional salon standards. You’ll also take part in workshops on self-employment, photography and social media, helping you build your brand and client base for the future.
An essentials kit and uniform are included, and classes run Monday to Thursday — designed to fit around school hours, making it ideal for learners with childcare or other commitments.
This course is ideal for:
- Learners who are passionate about beauty, wellness and self-care.
- School leavers or adults exploring a new career in holistic therapies.
- Creative, hands-on individuals who enjoy working directly with people.
- Anyone looking to build confidence, practical skills and client experience in a supportive salon environment.
What you will learn
You’ll gain the core skills and understanding needed to deliver professional beauty and holistic treatments, including:
- Facial Skincare Treatments – cleansing, exfoliation, massage and masks.
- Waxing Techniques – hair removal and aftercare.
- Massage Treatments – relaxation and body wellbeing techniques.
- Anatomy & Physiology – understanding the body systems relevant to beauty therapy.
- Health & Safety Knowledge – maintaining professional standards and hygiene.
- Client Consultation & Care – building trust and tailoring treatments.
- Products & Equipment – correct use and knowledge of professional tools (kit provided).
- Social Media & Photography – creating your online beauty portfolio.
- Employability & Personal Development – teamwork, presentation and customer service.
Entry requirements
✅ No prior experience required — enthusiasm for beauty and wellbeing is essential.
✅ Commitment to self-study and practice beyond class hours.
✅ A detailed personal statement supporting your application.
ℹ️ Applicants must be 16 years or older by the 30th of September.
ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language
- you need to have SQA ESOL National 5 (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)
- If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment here at the College.
Career Opportunities
You’ll be ready to start your career in the holistic beauty industry through roles such as:
💆♀️ Beauty or Holistic Therapist Assistant
🧴 Spa or Wellness Centre Trainee
🌸 Freelance or Mobile Therapist
🏙️ Retail Beauty or Skincare Consultant
Future prospects
After completing this course, you can move on to NQ Creative Beauty or progress to a higher-level level beauty/therapy wellbeing qualification, where you’ll refine your technical and professional skills for employment or further study.
This progression will enhance your skills in body massage, advanced facials and professional spa techniques — opening doors to wider career opportunities.
