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Frequently Asked Questions about our Courses

We look forward to welcoming you to training at The Beauty Academy very soon. 

You will receive an automated payment confirmation upon booking through our website. All bookings are confirmed manually by our team, by email within 24 working hours.

Your booking confirmation will provide all information you need to attend. Do check your junk / spam mail if you do not see this within your inbox.

Our Frequently Asked Questions below will answer most queries. If you cannot see your query below or require further assistance, please email our team at [email protected]

We welcome students aged 16 years & over to our classroom based courses.

Most courses are suitable for complete beginners. If the course is an advanced course, the specific pre-requirements will be given on the course webpage. Most courses require you to give and receive treatments, working with other students in attendance to complete the practical aspects of training.

For our online courses, there are no age restrictions as they are completed entirely online from home.

Online courses are open to all. Most online courses have no entry requirements, other than a good command of spoken and written English and access to a pc / tablet / mobile device with high speed, stable internet connection to access our online portal. Online courses will usually require you to have basic products / tools and models or training hand / head to practice treatments with. You can source products from any supplier of your choosing once enrolled. Guidance on products required given within the online course materials.

None of our courses include starter kits.

Where a classroom based course requires you to complete a patch test before attending, this will be included in the course fee and posted to you to arrive before the course.

For classroom courses, all products / tools are provided at the centre for your use on the training day.

For online courses you will need basic products / tools at home to practice treatments but can purchase these at your leisure following sign-up, as you have up to 12 months from date of booking to submit your case studies for certification. There is guidance within the online course materials to help you source kits / products.

You will not require any beauty (public liability) insurance to complete our classroom based or online courses.

For classroom courses, you are covered under our company insurance while in attendance of our centre for training.

For online courses, you will practice only on friends / family or training hand / head for case studies so do not have to obtain public liability insurance while learning.

Once you have completed your courses and achieved certification, you will need to purchase your own beauty (public liability) insurance to cover you while delivering treatments to the general public. This can be purchased from your preferred insurer. We recommend obtaining insurance via one of the following: Balens, ABT, IPHM, Radius or Insync.

 

Our classroom courses allow you to attend your preferred training centre from our 10 locations nationwide and learn face to face with our experienced, friendly beauty tutors. All products & tools are provided at the centre for your training day(s). You will not need any models as students work with other students in attendance or on training hands / heads (depending on the course). You are sent pre-course information via email to read through covering theory aspects. This is recapped on the day but with the day largely focusing on hands-on practical learning via tutor demonstrations and practice under guidance from the tutor. You’ll achieve The Beauty Academy diploma which is ABT Accredited and recognised for insurance upon completion.

Our online courses provide you the convenience of learning anywhere, anytime on any device connected to the internet.  Learn on desktop pc, tablet or mobile via our online student portal. No attendance of our centre required. Learn via pre-recorded tutor demonstration videos that you can watch as often as you wish. Detailed e-manuals followed by short, multiple choice tests online allow you to learn the theory. You can retake the tests instantly, as often as you need to pass. You then practice at home on friends / family, training hand / head or on yourself (as appropriate for the course). Submit a consultation form (we provide these) and before / after photo of your treatment result by email to receive feedback and/or your certificate. You’ll achieve The Beauty Academy certificate which is accredited by IPHM and again, recognised for insurance to start your own beauty business on completion.

The difference is simply how you wish to learn – face to face or conveniently online.

For those students who specifically want to gain employment in a salon or open their own salon premises (where your local council may require special treatment licensing in your area), you may wish to consider VTCT qualifications rather than simply complete our day or online courses.

VTCT qualifications are either at Level 2 or Level 3. They are OFQUAL regulated, internationally recognised and highly valued by employers.

VTCT qualifications include a small number of face to face training days at our centre to learn practical skills, online study via our portal from home to complete written and practical coursework, online multiple choice written exams completed from home and then attendance for 2-3 days (course dependent) to complete practical assessment days. Students have 12 months from date of booking to achieve VTCT qualifications.

If you intend only to work from home or mobile, you will usually find our day courses (ABT Accredited) or online courses (IPHM Accredited) are more than sufficient to start your new career in beauty. There is also the option when booking day courses, to upgrade within 3 months to a VTCT qualification course and offset any training days that cross over, against the VTCT course fee. This allows you to try our training, see if beauty is for you; before committing to the larger commitment of a VTCT course.

We have many international students complete beauty training with us each year. Our online courses offer internationally recognised accreditation via IPHM and we also offer VTCT international qualifications.

We do recommend you check local licensing / insurance requirements in the country you intend to work following training, to ensure our courses will meet those requirements. This is because the requirements set by authorities in different countries can really vary around the world.

Online courses can be completed entirely online with no attendance of our centres required. This makes them ideal for international students.

For those who wish to complete our classroom based or VTCT qualification courses, please note you must arrange any required visas before booking as we cannot assist with this or accommodation. This is because our courses are completed on a fast track basis with most training being completed within only 1-2 days per course.

All courses must be booked and securely paid for via our website to allow us to confirm your enrolment. We do not accept payment on the day, in person at our centres.

Many students will complete our courses having received discretionary funding either via their employer, or charitable organisation, or through DWP (Jobcentre Plus).

Approval of any such funding is down to the individual student to arrange. Please direct any requests for training fee invoices by email to [email protected] to allow payment via bank transfer on your behalf, where required. Alternatively courses can be booked on your behalf with payment via our website. Courses can only be confirmed / provided once payment has been received in full.

Note: We do not offer any courses via 24+ Advanced Learner Loan schemes.

Making changes to your booking

We understand things can crop up that prevent you from attending a booked training course. We are happy to reschedule all classroom training courses provided the following is met⁚

  • You provide 48 hours’ notice in writing by email, prior to the booked training date.
  • You provide a named doctor’s letter, appointment letter or medical certificate covering the date of the course (for the student) to allow us to waive the rescheduling fee, or make payment of the rescheduling fee of £50 per day.
  • If non-attendance is due to Covid, we will require a photo of your positive lateral flow test result including your name and today’s date written on the test or on a piece of paper within the photo. This will allow us to waive the rescheduling fee.
  • Alternatively, a rescheduling fee of £50 per day will apply to rebook your training.

Please email our team at [email protected] to advise us of your wish to reschedule and our team will be happy to help. Upon your receiving your request to change date, our team will cancel your place pending hearing from you to rebook an alternative date or confirmation that you will attend to original date. Please respond promptly to our team to allow us to process your request quickly.

For full Terms & Conditions please see here

We will consider requests to make changes to booked classroom courses subject to the following⁚

  • We receive 48 hours’ notice in writing by email, prior to the booked training date
  • Payment of the rescheduling fee of £50 per day is made (plus any additional course fee if there is a price difference).
  • You are welcome to transfer the booked person attending to another person, subject to the rescheduling fee of £50.

Please email our team at [email protected] to advise of the change you require and our team will be happy to help.

For full Terms & Conditions please see here

You are welcome to transfer the booked person attending to another person, subject to the rescheduling fee of £50.

Please email our team at [email protected] to advise of the change you require and our team will be happy to help.

For full Terms & Conditions please see here

As per our terms and conditions, all course bookings are non-refundable.

The only exception to this are for bookings paid through the following payment methods⁚

  • Klarna
  • Newpay

These payment methods allow you a statutory 14-day cooling off period which starts from the date of your payment and ends 14 days later, or as soon as you have activated online portal access and/or attended a training date. If you fail to attend a booked training date without notice within your 14 day cooling off period, this will be treated as if attended and your cooling off period will still expire. If you wish to cancel your agreement, please email [email protected] in the first instance, ensuring this is received within the 14-day period. Requests outside of this time will be declined.

For all other payment methods or queries relating to our cancellation policy, please see our full Terms & Conditions here

Confirmation / Certificates Not Received 

All course bookings are confirmed within 24 working hours. Please check your junk / spam mail as occasionally emails can be misplaced into junk due to the attachments. If not located, please email our team at [email protected] with your order number and name / email address used at time of booking so we can check the details on file & resend your email(s).

Attached to your booking confirmation you will find course notes and a pre-course worksheet for most courses. You are recommended to read through the course notes & pre-course worksheet before attending your course to allow you to get the most from your training day. You do not need to print your course notes.

Also attached is your enrolment form. You will need to print and complete this, handing this to the tutor on your training day. If you are unable to print this, let your tutor know as we usually have some spare copies at the centre.

Certificates for classroom courses are sent by email within 2 days of successfully attending your training course. They are sent to the email provided at time of booking, unless you’ve contacted us by email to update this. Please check your junk / spam mail as they are often misplaced into junk due to the attachment.

If you cannot locate your certificate within your inbox and have checked junk / spam, please email [email protected] who can check the email address we have on file for you and resend.

Preparing for your Training Day

If you have a beauty tunic, you are welcome to wear this. Otherwise, smart casual clothing (e.g., shirt or t-shirt and leggings or trousers) that allows you to be comfortable during training is acceptable.  We ask simply no blue jeans or trainers. Shoes must be closed toe / heel with flat sole for safety so no flip flops or similar sandals, or high heels.

We recommend removing all jewellery (beyond one pair of studs and wedding band, as applicable) where possible for your training day, and to leaving all unnecessary valuables at home.

Long hair should be tied up and secured away from the face.

For some courses you will need to remove nail extensions/gel polish and/or lash extensions to allow you to work with other students, giving and receiving treatments on the day; as advised in your course booking confirmation email / course website page.

For VTCT assessment days only, you will need to wear beauty uniform (tunic of any colour, smart trousers and closed toe/heel shoes). You can view more information on VTCT practical assessment days here

You will not need any kits for classroom based training days. All products and tools required for use on the training day, will be provided for you at the centre.

  • For selected courses where a patch test is required, please bring along remaining products from your patch test kit for use on the day, along with your patch test record form.
  • For all courses, you will need to print and complete the enrolment form attached to your booking confirmation email. If you cannot print this, please ask for a spare copy on arrival at the centre.
  • You will need to bring along a hand towel (and also a bath towel for waxing or body massage courses) for personal use on the course.
  • You will need to bring along cold food for your lunch such as sandwich or salad. There are cafes / coffee shops local to most centres, but the lunch break is only for around 30 minutes during the training day so we highly recommend bringing food with you to ensure you are not late returning from lunch.

Only water may be consumed during the training day, outside of breaks. There is no smoking / use of e-cigarette on the premises at all centres. Chewing gum is prohibited in all centres.

When booking your course, you will have selected to attend a specific training centre location. The location selected will be confirmed in your booking confirmation email. We have 10 training centre locations. You can view the address, ‘how to find us’ information and photos of the centre by clicking the links below⁚

We highly recommend researching your journey as soon as possible and using public transport wherever possible for central based locations (e.g. London Kings Cross, London Bridge, Clapham Junction, Manchester & Leeds). Some centres have parking nearby in pay & display car parks or limited on-street parking. If driving in on the day, we recommend use of the Waze app to assist you in avoiding traffic. Please ensure you allow plenty of time for travel. You will need to arrive for 9.45am for course registration (unless indicated differently in your booking confirmation e.g. half day courses).

You will not require any models for classroom based training days as you will either work upon other students, both giving and receiving treatments, or work upon a professional training head / hand as per the information on the course website page and your booking confirmation email.

Male students will need to bring along a female model for waxing courses.

If you have any contra-indications that prevent you from fully partaking in training (receiving treatments), please contact our team at [email protected] before booking, to confirm suitability for the course.

For the following courses you MUST complete a patch test 24 hours prior to attending your training course to allow you to receive treatments on the day and get the most from your course. Patch tests are required for the following courses⁚

  • Brow Shaping & Tinting (Half Day)
  • Brow Lamination & Tinting
  • Lash Lift & Tinting
  • Highly Defined Brows
  • Henna Brows
You will not need to patch test for eyelash extension courses as this is completed entirely on a professional training head.

Our team will post out a patch test kit to the address provided with your booking, to arrive at least 48 hours before your course date. Please ensure you read the guidance within the patch test package and complete the included patch test form, testing with all products in the kit as guided. You will need to bring along your completed patch test form, along with your enrolment form and present this to your tutor on your training day. You should also bring along the remainder of the patch test kit products for use on the day at the centre.

  • If you experience a reaction to the products, wash the product off the skin immediately using plain, cool water and let your tutor know. You will still be able to attend and complete the course as we have ‘dummy’ products that can be used or you may work on a professional training head as required.
  • If you do not receive your patch test kit, please contact our bookings team at [email protected] so that they are aware. You will still be able to attend the course as planned as the tutor will use ‘dummy’ products or you may work on a professional training head as required.

Attached to your booking confirmation email, you will find several documents:

  • Enrolment form
  • Pre-course worksheet (for most courses)
  • Course e-Manual (course notes)

For selected courses (aesthetics only), you will be given access to our online student portal to complete essential pre-course learning.

Please ensure you print and complete your enrolment form, handing this to the tutor on arrival at the centre on the day. Spare copies can be requested on arrival, if unable to print your form beforehand.

Please read through the pre-course worksheet (where applicable) before attending your course, to allow you to begin getting familiar with the fundamental knowledge underpinning the treatments you will be learning on the training day. The tutor will recap this briefly on the training day to ensure all students understand this knowledge but the courses are very much hands-on practical, so we appreciate students taking time to read this before attending.

Your course notes are yours to keep and read before the course, and also use to recap following your training day as you begin to practice your treatments.

There is no requirement to print the pre-course worksheet or course e-manual, unless you wish to for your reference. On the day, you may wish to bring paper and pen to make brief notes for your reference, although the course is fast paced and hands-on so will be heavily focused on acquiring and practising the practical skills. This is why we provide a comprehensive e-manual for your reference beyond the training day.

You can view our full Terms & Conditions here

You can view FAQs regarding Online Courses / Accessing our Online Student here

  • Established 1990: the Original Private Beauty Training School

    I have done a few courses with The Beauty Academy. I’m a successful Beauty Therapist now. I run my own business. Thank You ?

    Klaudia Traubert

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  • Established 1990: the Original Private Beauty Training School

    Brilliant course. Tutor Leanne was so helpful and friendly and made me feel totally at ease. I was nervous as I have never done any beauty training before and she put me at ease straight away. Brilliant service and I will one hundred percent be using again. Thank you very much!!

    Ellie Hood

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  • Established 1990: the Original Private Beauty Training School

    I’ve obtained multiple qualifications with The Beauty Academy over the years. It has improved my skills and I have gained confidence. The training is thorough and the course works around you, the tutors are all great! I will definitely book another course to keep up with the beauty industry.

    Sabine St Hilaire

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Our expert team of tutors based across our 10 Training Schools are all qualified to the highest levels, still practising in the industry keeping their skills up to date and with years of industry experience to share with their students. All tutors are friendly and welcoming, making you feel totally at ease whether attending for your very first course or your VTCT qualification assessment days.