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How long does it take to get a Level 2 Beauty Therapy Diploma?

Achieving a Level 2 Beauty Therapy Diploma will help you to progress into the beauty industry.

There are many schools across the UK that offer qualifications from different examining boards e.g. VTCT, ITEC, CIBTAC, City and Guilds and CIDESCO.

Some courses can take weeks, others months and some can take a year or two. It can also depend on whether they are a Diploma, Certificate or an Award.

Each examining board will have their own requirements when it comes to (GLH) guided learning hours and subject matter specific to each qualification. There are the standard mandatory units that most examination boards will follow, however there are also some optional units or additional topics that can be offered by each individual training centre.

Total Qualification Time (TQT) is another term used within qualifications regulated by Ofqual as part of the Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF). TQT indicates the length of time it would take the average learner to complete their qualification. Some qualifications may have credit values – 1 credit is equivalent to 10 hours TQT.

Generally, a diploma course will have more learning hours and topics to cover than a certificate course. An award can be a shorter course with fewer learning hours to complete and fewer requirements in comparison to a certificate or diploma course. The credit value also decreases with an award course.

Individual schools will determine how long their courses will be in accordance with the examination boards. For example, some schools may teach a course full time over 8 weeks, another school could offer the same course part time for 40 weeks.

In order to see how long it may take, first you need to ask yourself a few questions.

  • What type of learner are you?
  • Are you self-motivated or do you need to be motivated by your tutor and classmates?
  • Can you attend online classes?
  • Do you struggle to learn new skills?
  • Are you good at picking up techniques by watching a demo?
  • Do you find it easy to read ahead and memorise information?
  • Do you struggle to keep up with theory information in class?
  • Do you have any learning difficulties like Dyslexia, ADHD or Dyspraxia?
  • What mode of study would suit you best, full time or part time?
  • What kind of qualification are you looking for? E.g. international or national?
  • Is English your second language and have you been taught in English before?
  • Do you feel you would work better with continued assessment or to practice and prepare for 1 final exam at the end of the course?

If you are a student that struggles with theory, you could choose a course that takes 8 months approx. to give you time to learn and revise.

If you are a student who can pick up practical skills quickly and finds theory easy to learn, you could opt for a fast-track intensive course of 12 weeks, for example.

If you need to work as well as study, you could choose a course that is 1 day per week or 2 evenings per week.

If you want to study for an international qualification, full time would be best, as international examining boards have stipulations for the (TQT) total qualification time.

Ideally, courses that are part time should be at least 1 day per week for 25-30weeks to ensure learners have enough time to grasp both theory and practical and to complete coursework and tests.

Full time courses will usually be a few days per week over a longer period e.g. September-June or September-August (8-11 months).

What is attractive about full time courses is that the information is given on a regular basis and every day is giving you time to practice and perfect your skills.

A full time student will have more time to practice and perfect their techniques under tutor supervision on a daily basis. By the time they graduate, they are more confident going into the industry.

A part time student will condense all of their learning into a shorter time frame, and must, therefore make time at home to study and practice as well. If you are going to be studying part time, you should take this into consideration.

A Level 2 Diploma for Beauty Specialists is the very foundation of beauty and the minimum level for entering the beauty industry as a qualified beauty therapist.

What does the iTEC Level 2 Diploma for Beauty Specialists include?

Younique Aesthetics Academy offers the iTEC Level 2 Diploma for Beauty Specialists, which includes the following subject areas:

  • Skincare Treatments
  • Eye Treatments (tinting, measuring and shaping)
  • Makeup 
  • Manicure Treatments
  • Pedicure Treatments
  • Hair Removal with Waxing Techniques
  • Health and Safety in the Salon
  • Client Care and Communication
  • Professional Conduct and Business Awareness
  • Compulsory Award Unit– VTCT (iTEC) Level 2 Award in Infection Prevention (COVID-19) for Beauty Therapy and Nail Services

At Younique Aesthetics Academy, Newry we offer Level 2 beauty in two study modes:

  • You can study 2 evenings per week for 35 weeks approx. (8 months)
  • You can study 1 day per week for 35 weeks approx. (8 months)
  • You can study a combined VTCT (iTEC) Level 2 Diploma for Beauty Specialists, Level 3 Diploma in Facial Electrotherapy and Level 3 Diploma in Body Treatments 3 days per week for 35 weeks approx. (8 months)

Call us on 028 302 62149 to find out more, or visit our website to enrol.