Beauty Therapy - Nails and Spa (6003)

Last Updated: 16 Jul 2024

The following qualification is now closed:
603/0358/X  Level 2 Technical Certificate in Beauty Retail (360) (6003-21)

The Level 2 Technical Certificate in Beauty Therapy (450) is aimed at learners that are looking to start a career in the beauty therapy industry.  Learners could progress into employment, onto an Apprenticeship, or further their studies by taking other qualifications at Level 3.

The Level 2 Technical Certificate in Nail Treatments (360)  is aimed at learners that are looking to start a career in the nail industry.  Learners could progress into employment, onto an Apprenticeship, or further their studies by taking other qualifications at Level 3.

The Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Beauty & Spa Therapy (540) aims to provide you with a range of specialist technical practical skills and knowledge, which will equip you to seek employment or further training within the Beauty & Spa Therapy Industry.

The Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Nail Technology (450) aims to provide you with a range of specialist technical practical skills and knowledge, which will equip you to seek employment or further training within the Nail Industry. 
 
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Discover our range of resources and support materials to help you effectively deliver our Technical Qualifications.

Please be aware that some of the qualifications in this suite have been updated with changes for delivery from September 2023. 

Please use the latest handbook indicated in the ‘Centre Documents – September 2023’ tab and refer to the version control table in the front of the handbook for information on the changes. 

These qualifications are suitable for anyone over the age of 16 years.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

To deliver these qualifications, centres/colleges will need to provide their learners with a suitable learning environment and the resources they need to complete the practical and theoretical aspects of the qualification.

Centres will work with local employers who will contribute to the knowledge and delivery of training. Employers will provide demonstrations and talks on the industry and where possible work placements will also be provided by the employers.

To find all the resource requirements, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

Level 2

Learners interested in the Level 2 Technical Certificate in Beauty Therapy  will study theoretical aspects of the subject and apply them to practical tasks.
 
Compulsory topics include:

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Principles of practice for Beauty Therapists
  • Hair removal treatments
  • Facial and skin analysis
  • Manicure treatments
  • Pedicure treatments
  • Light cured gel polish
  • Lash and brow treatments
  • Apply make up services

 Learners will also be able to choose additional optional topics, including:

  • Male skin care treatments
  • Tanning treatments
  • Introduction to the spa industry

Learners interested in the Level 2 Technical Certificate in Nail Treatments will study theoretical aspects of the subject and apply them to practical tasks.

Compulsory topics include:

  • Anatomy and physiology for hands and feet
  • Introduction to working in the nail industry
  • Nail enhancements (clear)
  • Nail art services
  • Manicure services
  • Pedicure services
  • Light cured gel polish

For more information, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

The Level 2 Technical Certificate in Beauty Therapy could lead to a job as a beauty therapist working in one of the following establishments:

  • Beauty salon
  • Spa
  • Cruise ship
  • Hotel

The Level 2 Technical Certificate in Nail Treatments could lead to a job as a nail technician working in one of the following establishments:

  • Beauty salon
  • Spa
  • Nail bar
  • Cruise ship
  • Hotel
  • Salon
Level 2 Technical Certificate in Beauty Therapy (6003-20)
Last Registration Date: 31 Jul 2025

Level 2 Technical Certificate in Beauty Therapy

  • Accreditation No: 603/0376/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Technical This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 450 - 450 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 720 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: 5 This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £119.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 Technical Certificate in Nail Treatments (6003-22)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 2 Technical Certificate in Nail Treatments

  • Accreditation No: 603/0378/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Technical This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 360 - 360 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 600 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: 5 This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £119.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

The Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Beauty and Spa Therapy (540) qualification covers a very wide range of practical skills and knowledge required for working in the beauty and spa therapy industry.

These are compulsory areas:

  • Promote and sell products and services to clients 
  • Provide body massage
  • Provide facial electrotherapy treatments
  • Provide body electrotherapy treatments
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Provide dry spa treatments

Optional areas include:

  • Provide electrical epilation
  • Provide Indian head massage
  • Tanning treatments 
  • Monitor and maintain the client's spa journey
  • Provide individual semi-permanent lash treatments
  • Dermatology
  • Research advancements within the beauty industry

The Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Nail Technology (450) covers a very wide range of skills and knowledge required for working in the nail technology industry.

These are compulsory areas:

  • Promote and sell products and services to clients
  • Enhance and maintain nails using light cured gel, including hard gels
  • Liquid and powder nail enhancements
  • Chemistry of nails products
  • Create and apply nail art
  • Anatomy and physiology for hands and feet
  • The creation and presentation of a mood board, look book and industry portfolio
  • Business practice

Optional areas include:

  • Gel polish nail services
  • Create airbrush designs for nails
  • Nail wrap enhancement systems
  • Enhancing nails using electrical files
  • Competition work for the nail industry

For more information, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?
Achievement of the Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Beauty and Spa Therapy (540) demonstrates to an employer that you has the skills and knowledge of health & safety, customer service and also have the necessary advanced technical skills such as body massage, body and facial electrotherapy to be employed as a Senior Beauty/Spa Therapist.

This qualification could lead to a job as a senior beauty/spa therapist working in one of the following establishments:
  • Beauty salon
  • Spa
  • Cruise ship
  • Hotel salon
 Achievement of the Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Nail Technology (450) demonstrates to an employer that you have the necessary advanced technical skills to be employed as a Nail Technician.

This qualification could lead to a job as a Nail Technician working in one of the following areas:
  • Nail bar/salon
  • Beauty salon
  • Media
  • Cruise ship/hotel
  • Product or manufacturing company
Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Beauty and Spa Therapies (540) (6003-30)
Last Registration Date: 31 Jul 2025

Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Beauty and Spa Therapies (540)

  • Accreditation No: 601/7352/X This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Technical This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 540 - 540 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 900 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: 5 This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £123.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Nail Technology (450) (6003-32)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Nail Technology (450)

  • Accreditation No: 601/7492/4 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Technical This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 450 - 450 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 720 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: 5 This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £123.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

6003 Level 2

Assessment Materials

Past Papers and Past assignments

Reports

2018

2019

2020

2022

2023

2024

Sample Questions

Synoptic assignments

2024

2025

Centre Documents

6003 Level 3

Assessment Materials

Past Papers and Past Assignments

Reports

2017

2018

2019

2020

2022

2023

2024

Sample Questions and Assignments

Synoptic Assignments

2024

2025

Centre Documents

Additional documents

Purpose and Recognition

16-19

Purpose

Recognition

Explore our wider maths & English offer

Our maths & English qualifications underpin our apprenticeships and technical qualifications. They build learners’ confidence with the core skills required for employment, including the capacity to problem solve and use technology effectively. They are also key to triggering conditions of funding.

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For Learners

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> (3004) Creative Hair and Beauty Studies

> (3038) Technicals in Hair and Beauty

> (6010) Theatrical and Media Makeup

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