Health & Beauty Courses and Training

VTCT, NVQ and SVQ Qualifications

VTCT is another market leader in Beauty Therapy, Fitness, Sports and Holistic Therapies. It provides
qualification services to over 450 Centres in the UK, most of which are Colleges of Further Education
(CFE's) but include many private colleges and training centres. For further information, visit,
www.vtct.org.uk/welcome.htm

For a list of colleges providing VTCT accredited courses, visit www.vtct.org.uk/counties/CentreChoice.htm

N/SVQ Qualifications An NVQ is a National Vocational Qualification approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). An almost identical SVQ is one approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in Scotland. The N/SVQ's are developed from "Standards" developed by Standards Setting Organisations representing industry and these are the practical performance requirements needed to be able to work as a fully competent person in the sector concerned. The N/SVQ's are divided into clearly defined Units which can be taken in any order at any time.

Courses consist of both theoretical and practical training. Assessment is through continual written and practical assessments/assignments in both theory and practical aspects of the course. A portfolio of evidence is compiled throughout the course and submitted for final verification. Health & Safety, Security and Employment standards are assessed by external written papers.

VTCT International Qualifications VTCT incorporates provision for the Awarding Body titles International Health and Beauty Council (IHBC), International Institute of Health and Holistic Therapies (IIHHT) and International Institute of Sports Therapy (IIST). Some certificates therefore have this extra badging which are well known Internationally and the qualifications are assessed to the same competence standards as N/SVQ's. International qualifications produced by VTCT are divided into Units which can also be taken separately.

Holistic Therapy

D1064 Level 1 Certificate in Introduction to Therapies (Holistic)
D1068 Level 3 Diploma in Understanding the Healthcare Environment for Providers of Complementary Therapies
D1070 Level 3 Diploma in Holistic Consultation Techniques
D1079 Level 3 Diploma in Aromatherapy
D1032 Level 3 Diploma in Additional Aromatherapy Techniques
D1094 Level 3 Diploma in Aromatherapy for Carers
D1080 Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology
D1033 Level 3 Diploma in Additional Reflexology Techniques
D1040 Level 2 Certificate in Holistic Therapies
D1013 Level 3 Diploma in Holistic Therapies
D1084 Level 3 Diploma in Using Therapy Techniques as an Aid to Stress Management
D1085 Level 3 Diploma for Reiki Practitioners
D1086 Level 2 Certificate in Thermal Auricular Therapy
D1075 Level 3 Diploma in Holistic Colour Therapy
D1087 Level 3 Diploma in Holistic Crystal Therapy

For further information, visit www.vtct.org.uk/quals/holistic.htm

If you are considering becoming a beauty, holistic or sports therapist, you will need to train for relevant qualifications. Most colleges of further education run courses in beauty therapy and many in holistic therapies such as massage, aromatherapy and reflexology. The main qualifications in beauty and complementary/holistic and sports therapies are ITEC, NVQ, SVQ, VTCT, IHBC, IIHHT, IIST, CIBTAC, CIDESCO.
Confusing to the would-be therapist who has to make a decision about which qualification to pursue. For the majority of students, the decision is based on what courses/qualifications are available at colleges in their local area and the cost involved.

Health and Fitness Therapy

C1003 Level 2 Certificate in Sports and Fitness Therapies
C1017 Level 3 Diploma in Sports and Fitness Therapy Techniques
D1082 Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy
D1095 Level 3 Diploma in Management of Activity Injuries
D1092 Level 3 Diploma for Personal Trainers

For further information, visit www.vtct.org.uk/quals/health.htm

Massage

D1083 Level 3 Certificate in Swedish Massage
D1020 Level 3 Diploma in Body Massage
D1021 Level 3 Diploma in Remedial Massage
D1022 Level 3 Diploma in Workplace Massage
D1061 Level 3 Diploma in Indian Head Massage
D1091 Level 3 Teaching Certificate in Baby Massage
D1118 Level 3 Diploma in Stone Therapy

For further information, visit
www.vtct.org.uk/quals/massage.htm

D1060 Level 3 Diploma in Anatomy & Physiology
D1059 Level 2 Certificate for Service Sector Receptionists
D1055 Level 3 Diploma in Non-Medical Nutritional Advice
D1088 Level 3 Diploma in Business Essentials for Therapists
D1065 Level 3 VTCT Assessor Award
D1066 Level 3 VTCT Verifier Award
D1089 Level 2 Certificate in Emergency First Aid
D1090 Level 3 Diploma in First Aid for Therapists
D1120 Level 3 Diploma in Health, Safety, Security and Employment Standards

For further information, visit www.vtct.org.uk/quals/vtct_quals.htm

CIBTAC

Originally set up as the education 'arm' of BABTAC - British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology, a leading professional body for therapists in the UK. Has a worldwide reputation - working with government education departments around the world to match national and international standards. Diplomas available in eight languages. Due to the fact that their courses are offered mostly by private schools, studying for CIBTAC qualifications is a more costly option than for a qualification at a college of further education. The number of schools offering CIBTAC courses in the UK appear to be low overall and there may not be one in your area, offering the course that you want.

For information on CIBTAC diploma courses, visit www.cibtac.com/courses_dipsearch.asp

CIDESCO

Founded in 1946 with its Head Office in Zurich, Switzerland, CIDESCO is represented in over 33 countries.
CIDESCO claims:-
The CIDESCO Diploma is the world's most prestigious qualification in the field of Aesthetics and Beauty Therapy.
Since 1957 the CIDESCO qualification has set standards that have been imitated over the five continents of the globe.
There are over 160 CIDESCO Schools around the world teaching to the internationally acclaimed CIDESCO standards leading to the CIDESCO Diploma.
As this qualification is only offered by private schools, would-be students may feel that obtaining a prestigious qualification is outweighed by the cost.
For further information on CIDESCO and its courses, visit www.cidesco.com

For further information on colleges and training schools offering courses in beauty, holistic and sports therpaies, visit www.hotcourses.com

Disclaimer : The information on this page has been presented in good faith and based on research of beauty, holistic and sports therapy qualifications.The author does not accept any responsibility for any inaccuracies that may appear. Where any inaccuracies of information may be found, please contact the webmaster who will amend the relevant section accordingly.

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D1063 Level 1 Certificate in Introduction to Therapies (Beauty)
D1093 Level 2 Certificate in Make-Up and Manicure
D1113 Level 2 Certificate in Cosmetic Make-Up
D1043 Level 2 Certificate in Mendhi and Henna Skin Decoration
D1044 Level 2 Certificate in Face and Body Painting
D1045 Level 2 Certificate in Fashion and Photographic Make-Up
D1031 Level 2 Certificate in Beauty Consultancy
D1114 Level 2 Diploma in Beauty Specialist Techniques
D1030 Level 3 Advanced Diploma in BeautyTherapy
D1050 Level 3 Diploma in Remedial Camouflage
D1121 Level 2 Certificate Facial Massage and Skin Care

For further information, visit www.vtct.org.uk/quals/bt.htm

ITEC Qualifications

ITEC is the largest international examination board offering a variety of qualifications worldwide. ITEC
provides 25 qualifications that are UK government accredited by QCA on behalf of the Department for
Education and Skills, and are registered on the National Qualifications Framework in the UK.

ITEC qualifications are supported by industry and are easily transportable nationally and internationally. They are considered to be amongst the more demanding courses in beauty and holistic therapies available with holders recognised as having received rigorous training. The ITEC system of studying in units enables students to study at their own pace. ITEC ensures that best practice in the work place is reflected in the syllabus for each qualification, with each linked to the relevant job role. It also ensures that the syllabus reflects the required level of knowledge and skill needed for a practicing therapist. Courses consist of a combination of theory and practical work. Assessment is through continuous assessment of practical work, knowledge and understanding, case studies and end of course examinations of the student's practical and thereotical knowledge and competency.
For further information about ITEC and its courses, to see the complete ITEC syllabus, and to view information on further education colleges and private training schools that offer ITEC courses, visit www.itecworld.co.uk

ITEC courses include :-

ITEC
(International Therapy Examination Council)

Accredited by QCA.
Qualifications in beauty, complementary and sports therapies.
Colleges of FE and private schools

NVQ/SVQ
(National Vocation
Qualification)
(Scottish Vocation Qualification)

Accredited by VTCT
Qualifications in beauty therapy, nail services and spa treatments.
Colleges of FE and private schools

VTCT
(Vocational Training Charitable Trust)

Qualifications in beauty, holistic, health and fitness/sports therapies.
Colleges of FE and private schools

IHBC/IIHHT
(International Health & Beauty Council
Int'l Institute of
Health &
Holistic Therapies
Accredited by VTCT
Qualifications in beauty and
holistic therapies

Colleges of FE and private schools

IIST
(International Institute of Sports Therapies)

Accredited by VTCT
Qualifications in sports therapies

Colleges of FE and private schools

CIBTAC
(Confederation of International Beauty and Cosmetology)

Approved by QCA
Qualifications in beauty and holistic therapies (32 diplomas)
Private schools. More costly than FE courses

CIDESCO
(Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie)
Reputed to be the world's most prestigious qualifications.

Qualifications in beauty therapy, spa therapies, epilation.

Private schools.
Expensive option