Why Beauty Therapy Courses are important

We often hear the term ‘Mickey Mouse' course branded around when discussions about higher education take place. Certain types of courses seem to have got this tag as people don't seem to think they are relevant, and think students are only studying them to mess around, or for something to do before going into a career. Beauty Therapy courses are one of the courses that are often spoke about in this way. This is unfair on these courses though, as well as the people studying them. Gone are the days when a Maths or Science degree was what everyone wanted to do, although relatively few jobs directly relate to them. Sure Maths and/or Science are relevant in some ways to almost every job, but a degree in the area isn't usually necessary. There is nothing wrong with courses, such as Beauty Therapy, that directly relate to an area of employment.

Beauty Therapy courses give students relevant and practical knowledge of different techniques that can then be used to treat clients. As well as learning the theory behind what they are doing, they perform the treatments, which is a very useful learning experience. Courses such as this are beneficial to clients as well. When they are treated by someone with the relevant qualifications, they feel confident that they are being seen by someone who has the skills to do the job successfully.

As with many practical subjects, there are many different types of Beauty Therapy Courses. These include college courses, part-time courses and short, intensive courses. Among the many part-time courses available is the VTCT NVQ Level 2 course at Warwickshire College. This course comprimises of a one-year full-time, part theory and part practical course. As well as learning about Beauty Therapy itself, students also learn about other areas, such as I.T. and communication that will be helpful if working in a beauty salon. Part-time courses are a popular alternative. The one at Derby College, for example, works on just 3 hours a week. This is obviously over a longer period of time, but suites people who are in full-time work or have other commitments.

As well as the traditional College courses, a relatively new way for courses to be organised is for students to take a shorter, more intense course. The Beauty Therapy Course with Open Beauty Learning is an example of this. At Open Beauty Learning, each individual module is taken separately. These usually run over two intensive days. Therefore students can study only one module if they choose, or the modules they feel are necessary to acquire the skills they are looking for. Students can gradually complete all the modules at their own pace to work towards a VTCT NVQ award if they choose to do so.

All these courses teach students many practical areas of Beauty Therapy, and prepare them for employment within this sector. They can develop the skills necessary to work in a beauty therapy salon, health spa, hotel, cruise liner, or start their own business. Therefore a course like this being described as worthless is not accurate, as it is preparing students for employment.

Andrew Marshall ©


Beauty Therapy Courses