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Aesthetics

University College Birmingham

UCAS Code: W210 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Entry requirements


A level

C,C,C-C,D,D

UCB will accept A Level in General Studies for this course and will also take into consideration applicants who are studying an extended project.

Access to HE Diploma

D:15

You will need a minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points. A minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction.

HNC (BTEC)

P

A relevant HNC or a foundation degree with 120 credits.

HND (BTEC)

P

A relevant HND or a foundation degree with 240 credits.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

MMM-MMP

This can be achieved from either an Extended Diploma or a combination of smaller BTEC qualifications.

You will need a minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points

T Level

P

A T-level graded Pass with a core component of grade C.

UCAS Tariff

80-96

Level 3 qualifications are accepted at UCB for entrance, a minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points will be required. If you are unsure if your qualification is accepted call us on 0121 604 1040 or email [email protected].

About this course


Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Beauty therapy

**OVERVIEW**
**As growth in the non-surgical aesthetic market increases exponentially year on year, the demand for a qualified and highly skilled workforce is at an all-time high. Open to therapists and non-therapists alike, our Aesthetics degree will help you develop a range of transferable skills, enabling you to pursue a reputable and lucrative career in aesthetic industries with optional pathways in business or training.**

You will study a range of non-medical cosmetic procedures such as laser and light technologies and chemical peels, as well as exploring theories and concepts including science of skincare, skin health education, ageing theories and physiology. You will develop professionalism through learning, teaching and industry exposure, with an optional pathway in business or training, shaping both your personal and professional growth.

As part of our course, you will engage with industry experts through conferences, guest speakers, mentors, networking events and trips, including the opportunity to visit the Mesoestetic laboratory and production facility in Spain. You will also have the chance to undertake additional training courses as well as benefiting from access to a range of initiatives, including our Creative Futures Incubator which supports new business opportunities for graduates.

**WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?**
- **Specialise your studies** – Our course is designed with two pathways – training or business – with optional modules based on your choice of pathway

- **Industry links** – We work closely with leading brands including Lynton, Mesoestetic, Neostrata, Canfield VISIA and Observ to ensure our course content is up-to-date

- **Residential visit** – Learn first-hand about the industry on a visit to the Mesoestetic production facility in Barcelona, Spain

- **Enrichment** – Explore the industry through competitions, guest speakers and additional training programmes

- **Practical application** – Gain experience and expertise by participating in clinic sessions, case studies, practical workshops and demonstrations, as well as developing showcase portfolios

- **Work placement (BA only)** – Put your training into practice on an optional paid 48-week work placement, with no tuition fees during your placement year

- **Award-winning university** – Study at the highest-ranking university in the region according to student choice (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023)

**FACILITIES**
You will develop a range of skills on campus in our aesthetics suite. We have three purpose-built laser rooms, over 30 private treatment rooms, a designated retail space and three consultation rooms with access to a range of comprehensive client management and analysis software as well as a social media hub to develop your digital skills.

**ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING**
You will have opportunities to complete a variety of training courses in addition to your main programme of study. These include core of knowledge, trans awareness, skin cancer vigilance and anaphylaxis training.

Please note extra qualifications may incur an additional fee.

**PLACEMENTS**
Our course includes the option to undertake a 48-week work placement after your second year. You will not incur any tuition fees during the placement.

Employers we have worked with include sk:n (Leamington), Skin & Tonic (Tamworth), Envie Clinic (Birmingham), Fiji Skin Clinic (Birmingham), Hampton Clinic (Birmingham), Beauty Lounge Training Academy (Birmingham), Medizen (Sutton Coldfield) and My Skin Spa (Solihull).

**CAREERS AND PROGRESSION**
Examples of careers you could pursue following this course:
- Business development manager

- Brand trainer

- Global education and training manager

- Area sales manager

- Aesthetic clinic manager

- Academy manager

You could also progress onto one of our postgraduate courses at University College Birmingham.

- **Please refer to our website www.ucb.ac.uk for the latest updates to this course**

Modules

**YEAR 1**

- Chemical Peeling for Skin Rejuvenation
- Aesthetic Principles and Consultation
- Laser and Light Technologies
- Non-Invasive Interventions
- Venture Incubator
- The Coaching Concept

**YEAR 2**

- The Aetiology of Aging
- Empowering Leadership
- Interventions for Skin Rejuvenation
- Critical Approaches to Research Methods in Aesthetic Practice
- Science of Skincare

Plus one option from:

- The Training Cycle
- Venture Concept and Planning

**YEAR 3**

Optional Work Placement (BA only)

**YEAR 3/4**

- Aesthetic Identity
- Global Wellness
- Sustainability in Aesthetics

Plus one option from:

- Dissertation
- Venture Creator

Plus one option from:

- Digital Skills and Social Media Marketing
- The Training Enterprise

Assessment methods

**Note: Indicative information only. Actual timetables and assessment regimes will be issued at your induction. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website: www.ucb.ac.uk**

**TEACHING**

Example of a typical teaching week (up to 16 contact hours): 

- **Large group teaching** – 4-6 hours 
- **Smaller group teaching** – 2-3 hours 
- **Hands-on learning in the clinic** – 4-8 hours 
- **Tutorials** – 2-3 hours 

You will also need to commit around 20 hours per week for individual study time. 

**ASSESSMENT**

Estimated breakdown of assessment for this degree course:

- **Coursework** – 68%
- **Practical assessment** – 23%
- **Written examinations** – 9%

Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

England
£9,250
per year
EU
£13,500
per year
International
£13,500
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

University College Birmingham

Department:

Creative Services - BA/BSc

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

37%
Beauty therapy

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Complementary and alternative medicine

Teaching and learning

40%
Staff make the subject interesting
53%
Staff are good at explaining things
63%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
63%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

47%
Library resources
67%
IT resources
73%
Course specific equipment and facilities
27%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

96%
UK students
4%
International students
1%
Male students
99%
Female students
72%
2:1 or above
30%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
B
B

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Complementary and alternative medicine

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

100%
med
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

84%
Therapy professionals
6%
Health associate professionals
3%
Teaching and educational professionals

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It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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