The FdSc Beauty and Spa Management course is one of a group of courses in the School of Management and Science that are designed to prepare students for a particular role in the fashion industry. This course provides you with an excellent grounding in the science, business and management subjects necessary to have a successful career as a practitioner in the beauty industry or in spa management, together with broader academic studies which allow you to see the context of your particular study in the wider perspectives of fashion, society and the environment. The beauty, medispa and spa industries are involved with the course on every level, from supplying brand products for students to use on clients, to visits to companies where new techniques are demonstrated to students, to setting projects and providing opportunities for work placements, and to providing employment to graduates from the course. High-achieving graduates from this course have the opportunity to do a third year of specialist studies to gain a BSc Honours degree.

FdSc Beauty and Spa Management is based at John Prince’s Street, Oxford Circus, in the heart of the West End. The area is one of the prime shopping centres in London, with the majority of London’s department stores, including Selfridges, Liberty, Fenwick and John Lewis, within a short walk of five minutes or less. The green spaces of Hyde Park and Regent’s Park are close, as is Soho, with its many bars, restaurants and clubs, and Berwick Street market. The Wallace Collection, the Royal Academy of Arts, and the West End art galleries are all within walking distance.

Course Units

Year One     Stage One     Level 4     120 credits 

Term One: Introduction to Study in Higher Education (20 credits); Beauty and Spa Therapies (20 credits);

Term Two: Introduction to Cultural and Historical Studies (20 credits); Beauty and Spa Treatments (20 credits);

Term Three: The Practices and Management of the Beauty and Spa Industries (WBL) (40 credits)

Year Two     Stage Two     Level 5     120 credits

Term One: Cultural and Historical Studies (20 credits); Advanced Spa Therapies (20 credits);

Term Two: Professional Practice and Effective Management in the Beauty and Spa Industries (WBL) (40 credits);

Term Three: Cosmetic Products (20 credits); Complementary Therapy (20 credits);

Course Outline

Year One

In the first term you will study two units.

Introduction to Study in Higher Education gives you an understanding of your personal and professional development at university, with three core purposes: to introduce you to the necessary learning skills for undergraduate study; to show you where you are situated within the College and the University; and to help you understand what you will learn on your course and how you will develop your skills.

Beauty and Spa Therapies introduces you to the beauty and spa industries and allows you to develop the hands on practical and communication skills that you will need as a professional. You will learn about the science underpinning the therapies used, and will particularly study the skin as knowledge and understanding of this aspect of human biology is fundamental to beauty and spa therapies.

In the second term you will study two units.

Introduction to Cultural and Historical Studies introduces you to key concepts and ways of thinking about beauty and its context in society and culture. You will attend lectures, seminars and workshops, and do a significant amount of reading of academic texts in order to complete a formal academic essay for assessment. Completion of this unit will allow you to make an informed choice of subject for study in the second year Cultural and Historical Studies unit.

Beauty and Spa Treatments develops your understanding and knowledge of the variety of beauty and spa treatments available. You will learn the importance of tailoring the treatment to the needs of the individual client, based on the appropriate scientific principles. You will develop your consultation techniques and communication skills through your professional practice.

In the third term The Practices and Management of the Beauty and Spa Industries unit will be undertaken. This gives you the opportunity to explore the relationships between the scientific, managerial and practical aspects of your learning. You will look at the professional treatment packages offered in the beauty and spa industries and the science behind these treatments. You will undertake case study observation and client consultation to further develop your awareness of how to select effective treatments that are suitable for the individual client. You will have the opportunity to do a work placement, which will allow you to see first hand how the industry operates, and you will look at a range of different management structures. In your report you will be able to analyse how the various elements, such as retail and human resources management, integrate into a successful overall business environment.

Year Two                                                                                                             

In the first term you will be able to study a Cultural and Historical Studies unit of your choice that will broaden or deepen your learning of areas relating to your interests in your chosen field. You will have the opportunity to participate in lectures, seminars and workshops with students from other courses within your School, and will read relevant academic texts and complete a formal academic essay for assessment.

Also in the first term, the Advanced Spa Therapies unit gives you the opportunity to broaden and deepen your knowledge of all aspects of the spa industry, both in the UK and globally. You will look at the physiological principles underlying growth and ageing in the human body, and consider relevant spa treatments to enhance well-being. You will gain practical experience of the application of a number of spa treatments.

In the second term the Professional Practice and Effective Management in the Beauty and Spa Industries unit gives you an integrated experience of the two strands running through the course. You will gain more experience in selecting advanced treatments, and you will analyse the role of physical activity in optimum health. Through developing your understanding of the relationship between physical activity, fitness and health, you will be able to make judgements on the use of exercise as a means to health and well-being. Alongside this you will explore the fundamental issues and criteria necessary to run a successful beauty or spa business. You will prepare a business and operational plan, incorporating all the components necessary for the setting up and effective management of the business. In this unit you will also have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills through a work placement in industry. You will be able to look at your placement company from a number of different angles, including internal organisation, profit generation and the management of globalisation and sustainability.

In the third term you will undertake two units.

 Cosmetic Products introduces you to cosmetic science and the processes involved in the formulation, manufacture and evaluation of decorative cosmetic, skincare and toiletry products. You will be supported in developing the basic skills needed to analyse the formulation, produce it in laboratory conditions and assess its main characteristics. You will learn about risk assessments and safe laboratory procedures.

The Complementary Therapy unit gives you the opportunity to develop your research skills through analysing the use of essential oils and their importance within the beauty therapy, health and spa industry. You will develop your theoretical knowledge of different treatment techniques and use your practical skills to deliver appropriate, safe and effective treatments. The physiological effects and long term consequences of obesity and other nutritional disorders will be explored, and the various approaches to treatment will be considered. 

Learning and Teaching at UAL

Courses in UAL span a broad range of art, design, communication, business, media, science and communication subjects. So the ways in which you learn and how your time is used will vary according to the specific course you are studying; this may be in studios, labs, classes, involve working alone, learning from peers in pairs or groups, or with external partners. Most importantly, no matter which course you enrol on, you will learn not only about your subject but also about how you learn and how to increase your knowledge base.

Our courses will guide you to take increasing responsibility and ownership of your work and your learning. We do this so that you will be ready and able to take full advantage of the full range of opportunities offered by the creative industries in the global economy.

Assessment Methods at UAL

Assessment always sounds austere and foreboding, but it is not. We see assessment as a very real part of learning, rather than just a means of looking back at past work and measuring achievement; we believe that assessment helps you plan future work and develop new ideas.

Your work will be assessed through projects or portfolios, with written papers or research journals, and, on some courses, examinations.  You will be graded according to a set of marking criteria that relate to such things as research, subject knowledge, methodology, and your capacity to analyse and reflect on your achievements. So don’t be afraid of assessment - it is the way to progress.

Developing your skills

All our undergraduate courses are concerned with the development of your personal and professional skills. On your course you will evolve from learning basic skills in your discipline through to a position where you are an independent creative thinker capable of making an effective contribution to the relevant sector of the fashion industry. PPD (Personal and Professional Development) skills are embedded in all units on every course. Speaker programmes with contributions from alumni, members of industry and others are a part of many courses, as are work placement opportunities in industry. Where relevant, students have the chance to attend trade fairs, enter industry competitions, visit exhibitions and go on field trips and visits. The central position of our John Prince’s Street site in the West End affords students easy access to all sectors of the fashion retail market. In addition, our position as a constituent College in the University of the Arts London means that our students have access to the wide range of activities and events that occur in all the Colleges and at the University’s centre. Last but not least, being in London gives every student opportunities to explore and be inspired by the cultural, intellectual and social life of one of the great capital cities of the world.

Resources

Our excellent resources for educating our students are two-fold: people and premises. People includes everyone at the College who contributes directly in some way to your education, whether as a subject tutor, a technician, an Open Access Officer, a librarian or a study support tutor. Premises include the buildings and the facilities contained in them, such as specialist machinery, design studios and workshops, lecture and seminar rooms, and the library.

The specialist facilities for Beauty and Spa Management include two fully equipped beauty salons and three science laboratories. Companies supplying brand products for face and body treatments that students use on clients include Decleor, Guinot, Dermlogica, Spa Find, the Skincare Sanctuary and Jessica. Professional training on the use of these products is given by the relevant company at LCF, and students gain accreditation certificates for specific treatments.

Yvonne Mills is the Course Leader and worked for many years in the industry as a therapist in a several well known salons and spas, including Regis Europe in Selfridges, Essanelle in Debenhams and Holmes Place in Notting Hill. Yvonne is a member of the British International Spa Association. She then combined managing a successful beauty salon in Kensington with delivering one-day beauty courses around the country for Training Solutions. Her move into teaching in further and higher education followed, and she gained her PG Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Art, Design and Communication. She has recently gained her PG Diploma in Teaching and Learning. Her research interests have been particularly focused on improving the opportunities for BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) students to achieve their full potential at University and in their subsequent careers, and on the importance of reflective learning in education. This research has been funded by two CLIP CETL awards.

Dr Danka Tamburic is the Programme Director for Science and Reader in Cosmetic Science. She has a PhD in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Sciences, and has taught for twenty-five years in higher education, and established the BA Cosmetic Science course at the College. She is currently developing the integrated MSc in Cosmetic Science, and undertaking a major research project exploring the effects of 'non-medical' vs. 'medical' approaches to the management of skin ageing in women over sixty. 

Future Careers and Graduate Prospects

High-achieving graduates from this course have the opportunity to do a third year of specialist studies to gain a BSc Honours degree.

Many graduates prefer to seek employment as soon as they have completed their undergraduate studies. Our students have the opportunity while on course to attend the recruitment sessions run by Steiner, Espa and Clarins, and this has frequently led to employment after graduation. The work placements in the industry that are undertaken by students in both years of the course continue to provide future employment. Companies providing work placement opportunities include Elemis Day Spa, Champneys, Benefit Boutique, Scin Day Spa, The Rejuvenation Clinic and Medispa, Groom and the Decleor Training Academy.

A number of our graduates have gone into self-employment as beauty therapists and now own their own salons. Others have gained employment with Steiner Luxury Cruise Liners, Elemis Day Spa, Eve Lom, Renew Medica, Space NK, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, The Mayfair Illuminata Spa and many others. 

Enterprise and Employability at UAL

We know what it takes to be successful in your chosen field. Your tutors are professionals in their own right and understand what you need to help you establish your career. Staff in our dedicated Centre for Student Enterprise and Employability Service (SEE) are specialists at supporting you onto the right career path and at helping you to build up work‐relevant skills, knowledge and experience throughout your time here. You will also benefit from our many relationships with industry, which give our students exclusive opportunities and access to networks and funding.

Artists and designers tell us they value UAL’s informed engagement with their career development concerns across a whole spectrum of activities and practice interests and our ability to offer them practical advice, guidance and opportunities across the possible pathways open to them - as entrepreneurs and employees. Staff value the resources and skills UAL makes available to help them deliver effective professional and career development through the curriculum.

Showing your work

All final year students are given the opportunity to profile their work online via Showtime. London College of Fashion can make no guarantee that your work (either in sum or in part) will be shown, exhibited or profiled in any way as part of your course. All student work appearing in College organised events, catwalk shows, exhibitions and other forms of showcase, is selected by a panel of senior staff and, in some instances, external industry judges.

For details of the wide range of careers support provided for students, please visit our Careers Support page.

Opportunities for All

We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and seek to recruit students from diverse socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds. We are committed to supporting all our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.                                      

Course Entry Requirements

Entry to this course is highly competitive: applicants are expected to achieve, or already have, the course entry requirements detailed below.

One ‘A’ level pass at grade C or above (80 UCAS tariff points required) PLUS four GCSE passes in other subjects at grade C or above

OR

BTEC National Diploma in a beauty/spa related subject PLUS four GCSE passes in other subjects at grade C or above

OR

NVQ level 3 in a related subject PLUS four GCSE passes in other subjects at grade C or above

OR

Access course in a relevant subject PLUS four GCSE passes in other subjects at grade C or above

OR equivalent awards

Preferred subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Business Studies and English.

This course requires a minimum 80 UCAS tariff points.

Exceptionally, applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered if the course team judges the application demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by: related academic or work experience; the quality of the personal statement; a strong academic or other professional reference; or a combination of these factors.

If the application indicates suitability for the course, applicants will be invited for interview.

English Language Requirements

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol.

The level required by the University for this course is IELTS 5.5 with a minimum of 4.5 in any one skill.

Please go to: http://www.arts.ac.uk/international/apply/englishlanguagerequirements/

read carefully and look at the relevant documents.

Student Selection Criteria

What We Look For

The course team seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate:

• An interest in the beauty therapy and spa industry
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills
• An approach suited to the demands of the course and study of science and management subjects

This might, for example, be demonstrated by: related academic or work experience; the quality of the personal statement, a strong academic or other professional reference; or a combination of these factors.

Interview Advice

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the following at interview: knowledge about the course; strong interest in working in the beauty therapy and spa industry; an idea of what they can bring to the course; interpersonal skills suitable for working in the industry; and a motivation to succeed on the course. 

Home / EU Applicants

You apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) at   http://www.ucas.com 

Go to ‘Apply’ from the UCAS home page, where you will be able to register and create a password that gives you unique access as you complete your application form.

The University code is U65.

The UCAS code for this course is B900.

The deadline for equal consideration of your application is 15 January 2013.                                  

Contact us on:

• Telephone: +44 (0)20 7514 7563 / 7582 / 7344
• Course enquiry form

International Applicants

For specific details on how to apply as an international applicant please click on the following link:

http://www.fashion.arts.ac.uk/lcf-international.htm

The International Recruitment Office at the London College of Fashion will help to guide you through the application process and answer any specific questions that you may have regarding our courses. This may include portfolio advice, the application process and fee advice. We offer a ‘drop-in’ facility for applicants who may be in London and wish to obtain further course and admissions information. Please contact us for further information on this facility. We can also arrange a tour of our facilities if we are given prior notice.

Our contact details are: International Recruitment Office London College of Fashion 20 John Prince’s Street London W1G 0BJ.

• Telephone: +44 (0)20 7514 7656/7678/7629
• Course enquiry form

Deferred Entry

Deferred Entry is normally only allowed in exceptional circumstances. Please contact us before you submit your application if you are considering applying for deferred entry. 

What Happens Next?

All application forms, personal statements and references are read and considered by the course team against the selection criteria listed under What We Look For. Depending on the quality of your application, you may be asked to an interview with the course team. If you are successful at the interview stage you will be offered a place. Applicants are not guaranteed an interview.

Please note that if you are unable to attend the College may not be able to re-schedule.

If you applied through UCAS the result of your application will be communicated to you via UCAS through ucastrack. You will only receive further communication directly from the College if your application has been successful. This will be in the form of a full offer pack including details of accommodation, fees, and other important information.   

Applicants have the right to ask for feedback if their application is unsuccessful. Requests must be made in writing to the Student Administrator, and we will respond within 20 working days. 

Additional Information

Additional Costs

Some courses charge a fee for the bulk purchase of materials and/or equipment used on the course. Further details will be supplied at a later date.