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Hair and Beauty

Beauty Therapy HNC

Campus Granton Campus

Qualification SCQF Level 7

Study mode Full time

Start date Aug 2025

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Course overview

Are you looking for a career in Beauty Therapy?  Our 1-year HNC course is designed to deliver all the vital skills in the first semester to prepare and develop you for the more advanced skill set and techniques as the course progresses.


You will learn the therapeutic skills and knowledge you need to move into the highest level of the beauty industry by performing a variety of beauty therapy techniques and more advanced beauty treatment plans to meet industry requirements. You will also gain more hands-on experience through working in our employability salon with the high-end product company Dermalogica, thus enhancing your employability prospects even further.

Training at Edinburgh College will enhance your employability prospects as we have an exceptional standard of facilities and highly qualified lecturers. We make sure you are fully prepared for the industry and setting up your own successful business with a wide range of salon and spa environments by assessing you in different methods from your work experience with clients' case studies to oral presentation skills.

Please note:

  • There is an additional cost for course kits, uniforms and books which must be purchased before starting the course.
  • Some theory will be delivered online - you will be required to have access to IT to enable you to complete this part of the course e.g.laptop, Pc, iPhone, Android phone

If you are interested in being a model for our students or want to try out our star facilities before beginning your studying journey, simply book in for a treatment.

Hair Salons, Beauty Salons and Barbershop | Edinburgh College

What you will learn

  • Beauty Therapy: Applied Anatomy and Physiology
  • Body Massage Treatments
  • Beauty Therapy: Face and Body Treatment Packages
  • Beauty Therapy: Face and Body Electrotherapy
  • Beauty Therapy: Depilation
  • Beauty Therapy: Hand and Foot Therapies
  • Beauty Therapy: Facial Therapy Treatments
  • Beauty Therapy: Professional Salon Skills
  • Beauty Therapy: Graded Unit 1

Placement information

  • All students are expected to complete an external work placement in Semester 2 of the course.
  • You will also be working on clients throughout your subjects and in our realistic Employability salons as part of the course.

Please note these are mandatory aspects of the course.

How the course is assessed

  • All practical assessments are carried out on paying clients within our salons. 
  • The theoretical aspects of the course will be assessed by using a variation of closed book assessments, essays, case studies and research

Number of days per week

  • 3 days per week (9.00 AM to 4.00 PM) plus one evening (4:30 PM to 8.00 PM)

Entry requirements

  • All applicants must be 16 years of age or older before the start date of the course and must hold :
  • Minimum of 2 passes at SCQF Level 6 preferably in English and Biology

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

Please include a strong personal statement as part of your application which explains your reasons for wanting to be on the course. Once completed we will review your personal statement in conjunction with the rest of your application.

Thereafter successful applicants will be invited to a formal interview, this may be online or on campus to discuss their application and why they wish to study HND Beauty Therapy.     

The formal interview has a scoring criterion based on presentation and communication skills at the interview.

 

What will happen on the day of your interview? 

  1. You must turn up for the interview on time  
  2. You have to be available for up to 2 hours as there is a lot to get through  
  3. You will be shown a PowerPoint presentation covering the course content and student life at Edinburgh College. 
  4. You will answer a written assessment and a few short questions based on your skills and aims within the beauty industry   
  5. Please read the briefing document on the facial muscles, lymphatic and circulatory systems to prepare for the written assessment 
  6. You will then be given a short one-to-one interview that will allow time to ask any questions  
  7. You must bring in your original certificate for your qualifications including your subject information and the record of your core skills and a photocopy of both   
  8. All candidates must present themselves for the interview wearing a black top, black trousers, black shoes, light day make-up and hair tied back. 

HNC Beauty Therapy Briefing Document

Hair and Beauty Applicant Privacy Notice

 

English Proficiency Requirements IELTS 5.5

Progression and Articulation Routes

Once you have successfully achieved your HNC you may apply to progress into 2nd Year HND Beauty Therapy

OR

Continue your studies to degree level in:

  • BSC (Hons) Integrative Healthcare Degree at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).
  • Complementary Therapies
  • Business Studies

 

Career options

You will be fully qualified as a Beauty Therapist and therefore have employment opportunities of: 

  • Beauty therapist manager of a spa or beauty salon 
  • Start up your own business 
  • Trainer/Lecturer within Beauty industry
  • Entry to 2nd Year HND Beauty Therapy
  • Integrated Healthcare Degree (UHI)

Study Options

Campus Study mode Start date
Granton Campus Full time 25/08/25

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