It's all about the hands
Love all things to do with nails? Then this course is for you. This practical course focuses on all the skills you need to start an exciting new career. You will learn all the professional techniques to produce your own stunning nails. You will work on clients in our simulated beauty salon environment on campus.
Our course will provide you with formal qualifications and includes the following Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) units:
- Hand, foot and nail therapies
Develop the underpinning knowledge and practical skills to offer clients luxury manicure and pedicures with the application of both polish and gel polish. You will also learn and be assessed on the structure of the nail, common hand and foot conditions, conditions which prevent or restrict treatment, special care conditions, and the relevant advice to give clients.
- Light curing gel nail enhancements
Become proficient in the application, infill, rebalance and removal of gel nail enhancements. This course will allow you to obtain the insurance required to become a qualified nail technician (self employed or employed within a salon), as well as the underpinning knowledge of nail conditions and conditions that may prevent or restrict the treatment.
- Work placement
We will simulate the work placement during your client sessions in our beauty salon environment on campus. You will also develop work-related skills such as CV writing and identify development opportunities to help prepare you for the workplace.
Day and time: Weekly, Wednesdays, 6pm to 9pm
Course length: 34 weeks
Start date: 9 September 2024
End date: 8 June 2025
Delivery mode: Face to face, on campus. Online support and materials will be available on Brightspace, our virtual learning environment.
Equipment: All products and tools will be available to use on campus, however those wishing to perfect their skills may wish to purchase tools and products for gel nail enhancements and staff can make recommendations.
SCQF level: This course represents 30 SCQF credits and is delivered at SCQF level 7.
Cost: £344. Applicants may qualify for part time funding through SAAS.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and assessment
You will also be required to complete open book research tasks and will be required to undertake some of this study independently.
You will be required to source models for assessments.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
There are no specific entry requirements, just an enthusiasm for nails and an enjoyment for working with others.
Fees and funding
Fees and funding
Course fee: £344
You could be eligible for financial support to pay your course fee if you earn less than £25,000 per annum and meet residency criteria. Find out more about the Student Awards Agency Scotland Part Time Fee Grant.
If you are not eligible for the part time fee grant, you may take advantage of paying your course fees in instalments. Payment can be spread over 3 months, with the first payment of approximately £115 payable before starting the course. Full details of our payment plan and accepted methods of payment can be found on our Fees page in the section, Payment options and fee waiver information.
Find out more about fees and funding
Next steps
Next steps
- HNC Beauty Therapy/HND Beauty Therapy
- Upskill with SVQ2 Beauty
- Self employment as a make-up artist/skin specialist
- Employment as a make-up artist.
Student services
Student services
Part-time students have access to all our facilities, including:
- Brightspace
- Student support services
- The library and learning resource centre, our virtual learning environment