Course Summary

The demand for health and beauty treatments in spas, fitness centres and the high street has greatly increased in recent years and is a robust area of employment. This course will give you experience in a range of beauty therapy techniques, as well as the skills and insights into managing beauty therapy businesses. You will also study anatomy and the physiology of ageing and research the cultural context of beauty.

To give you the confidence to advise on the appropriate modern therapies and treatments available, experience is gained from working in the college's own salon and through work based learning. You will also be introduced to business management strategies such as budgeting and marketing.

Why choose this course?

This course provides great insight and practical learning into modern day beauty therapies and business. Students that complete this course go on to a range of jobs including spa and salon management and beauty practitioning.

During the course you will:

• Gain work-based and placement learning through projects, activities and employer involvement
• Focus on the main aspects of the modern beauty and therapy business
• Gain experience in a range of beauty therapy techniques
• Study the cultural context of beauty within society

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Spa therapies and advanced massage
• Planning and carrying out treatments
• A variety of beauty treatments and therapies

FDSPA-BF

Assessment

Assessment emanates naturally from the teaching and learning of the programme.

Students experience of working with clients, planning and carrying out treatments is a key learning and assessment tool within the programme and is used as formative and summative assessment. Students are asked to present and develop their ideas over a period of time recording them in a diary, log book and / or through a portfolio containing photographs that record the various treatments. Formative assessments ensure students understanding of the process and enable them to progress their ideas to fruition.

Assessment types include:

• Practical work, individually or small groups


• Written assignments, reports, diaries


• Portfolio of work


• Critical evaluations


• Case studies


• Presentations


• In class tests


• Centrally invigilated time constrained tests

Through these assessment types students will exhibit their abilities to work with others, solve problems individually and in groups, work with number, time management and improving their own learning.

Educational Aims

The proliferation of health and beauty treatments in fitness centres, spa resorts, the high street and small businesses, suggests that this is a growing area for employment. This programme recognises that there is a market for well managed beauty therapy businesses that are able to provide appropriate services and treatments based on up-to-date knowledge of therapies, products and technologies. Moreover it recognises the clients needs for complete confidence in effective, safe and appropriate therapies and treatments.

This programme will provide an up-to-date knowledge and relevant experience and insights to be able to manage beauty therapy businesses and supervise and advise on appropriate therapies and treatments.

The skills gap within the beauty therapy industry offers a wide choice of career pathways. Larger operations call for candidates with business and management skills and knowledge and there is a broadening diversity of therapies available, influenced by an increased exposure to different cultures.

This programme will ensure you are commercially astute, by developing vocational skills acquired through interaction with employers and through work based learning. Further it will provide an understanding of therapies that are available within the modern day industry. You will be introduced to business management strategies to include budgeting and marketing.

Student support

Barnfield has a range of student support services, academic advice systems and a disability advisor. Tutorial support is given at appropriate points through out the course. Course books, online databases and web access are available through the Barnfield College Library and IT suite.

You will also have access to student and study support at the University of Bedford and the Learning Resources, which includes books, journals, online databases, and specialist newspapers and magazines.

Team working

Some modules include group work. You will produce creative and realistic solutions to complex problems including time management, monitoring progress to work to deadlines, evaluating your group and individual strategies to achieve the desired outcome. You will have to participate effectively in the operation of a team and collaborate with members of the team.

Career Management Skills

Professional development is included at level 1 in the Work Related Learning unit and at level 2 in Professional Development Within the Workplace with career planning integrated throughout. Students will also learn about business practice and professional roles in the beauty industries. Opportunities are provided for students to find out more about the industry through guest lectures and careers conferences at Barnfield and at the University.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

On completing this course progression is expected in the following areas:

• International Spa management


• International Salon management


• Beauty Sales management


• Beauty Practitioner


• Salon proprietor

Further study:

• Progression to BA(Hons)

Entry

Standard:

Standard entry requirements for UK students: A Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent. A UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.

Students from the European Union: Completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

International students: Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL) is available for International students. Use the APL form to tell us about any non standard qualifications and / or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

Additional:

Vocational qualification in Beauty Therapy.

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire

Professional, Statuatory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Students with disabilities

Barnfield has a range of student support services, academic advice systems and a disability advisor.The Disability Advice Team at Bedford university is available to discuss any issues you may have and can provide services such as sign language interpreters, note takers, dyslexia screening/tuition and support with mobility on campus. We offer confidential advice and information about academic and personal issues, adjustments in examinations, applying for the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) and buying suitable equipment.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

Be asked to produce work of different lengths and formats, properly referenced.

Be able to assess the quality of your own oral and visual communication and identify areas for improvement and deliver written or presentation assignments which succeed in communicating a series of points effectively.

To exercise and improve your communication skills is one of the major emphases of the programme and this is achieved in a variety of ways.

The assessments include working with clients and recording their communications in a variety of documents. Oral communication will be practiced and tested in presentations and individual critiques.

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

Be able to interpret and communicate simple statistical data using charts, graphs and simple functions in an IT package. You will understand the importance of presenting relatively complex numerical information in a two and three dimensional forms.

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

Be able to complete a complex search using appropriate primary and secondary sources, and draw accurate conclusions independently using the subject methodology. Some personal and professional development modules include data analysis. Searching and evaluating internet sources is taught and you will analyse the data found using appropriate techniques.

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

Be encouraged to evaluate the efficacy of treatment techniques both through critiquing available research and through practice.

Improving learning and performance

Through group critics, and your own records or progress whilst working in teams you will monitor the groups progress and evaluate your individual effectiveness to achieve the aims. Working individually you will set your own goals, tasks to achieve research goals, drawing on previous learning experience to achieve creative solutions to common problems.

Progress files

You will be asked to present and develop your ideas over a period of time recording them in a diary, log book and/or through a portfolio containing photographs that record the various treatments. Formative assessments ensure your understanding of the process and enable you to progress their ideas to fruition.

Professional standards

Professional standards are developed with a stronger emphasis on experiential learning and reflective practice. You will be expected to consider ethical, practical and social considerations in relation to professional practice. You will be expected to implement approaches to Personal Development Planning.

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

Actively engaging employers in curriculum development, delivery and assessment of learning through close links with an employers forum.

Integrating career planning throughout the programme.

Enhancing professional skills development, related where appropriate to HABIA standards (Hair and Beauty Information Association).

Supporting students in evaluating, and learning how to evidence, the skills shaped and developed within the programme.