NPAs in Hand, Foot Care and Nail Art and Facial and Eye Treatments

Course overview

This exciting 18-week course covers the essential skills to start your journey within the Beauty industry  

The course combines two Level 5 NPA courses, providing the basic beauty skills you need to enter the industry, including Client Consultation, Facial Skin Care, Eye Treatments, Manicure, Pedicure, and Nail Art.  

By working in our realistic salon environments, you will gain valuable practical experience to enhance your skills and employability prospects. You will be assessed on your practical abilities, along with written assessment criteria where applicable. 

You will receive up-to-date training in new technology and techniques for high-end products and equipment from representatives in the beauty industry. Training at Edinburgh College will enhance your employability prospects, thanks to our exceptional facilities and highly qualified lecturers.  

NB. This is a practical course where you will build your skills while working on others within the class. You must be comfortable performing treatments on others and receiving treatments yourself. 

On successful completion of this course, you can apply for the Semester 2 Beauty Therapy: NPAs in Make-Up and Scalp, Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage, which will enhance and add to your skills, making you fully prepared for progression into NC6 Beauty Services and Treatments the following academic year  

Please note:  

• There is an additional cost for the course kit, uniforms and books – this must be purchased prior to starting the course (a bursary will cover the cost of these if you are eligible) 

If you are interested in being a model for our students or want to try out our star facilities before beginning your studying journey, book in for a treatment.  

Hair Salons, Beauty Salons and Barbershop | Edinburgh College 

• Client Consultation and Customer Care
• NPA: Facial and Eye Treatments
• Facial Skin Care Treatments
• Eye Treatments
• NPA in Hand, Foot and Nail Art
• Hand and Foot Care
• Nail Art

Placement information

• There is no work placement required for this course; however, you will be working with clients in our realistic employability salons and studios. 

How the course is assessed

• All practical assessments are conducted on paying clients in our salons.  
• Assessment of theory will include portfolio building and open- and closed-book assessments. 

Number of days per week

• 2 days per week between 9 AM and 5 PM.

Entry requirements

• You must be 16 years of age or older before the start date of the course.
• You must hold at least three National 5 qualifications at SCQF Level 5.  
• Mature students can gain entry with a successful interview  

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

• Please include a strong personal statement in your application explaining your reasons for wanting to be in the course. Once completed, we will review your Personal Statement in conjunction with the rest of your application 
• Thereafter, successful applicants will be invited to a formal interview, which may be conducted online or on campus, to discuss their application and their reasons for wishing to study NPA Beauty Care. 

The formal interview has a scoring criterion based on presentation and communication skills at the interview. 

What will happen on the day of your interview?

• You must turn up for the interview on time. 
• You have to be available for up to 2 hours, as there is a lot to get through.
• You will be shown a PowerPoint presentation covering the course content and student life at Edinburgh College. 
• You will then have a short one-to-one interview, during which you can ask any questions.
• You must bring in your original certificate for your qualifications, including your subject information, the record of your core skills, and a photocopy of both.
• All candidates must present themselves for the interview wearing a black top, black trousers, black shoes, light day make-up and hair tied back. 

Hair and Beauty Applicant Privacy Notice 

English Proficiency Requirements

Progression and Articulation Routes

• Beauty Therapy NPAs in Make Up and Eye Treatments and Scalp, Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage SCQF Level 5 – Semester 2.  
• SCQF Level 6 Beauty Services and Treatments (36-week course, the following academic year).

Career options

• You will gain some practical skills to work within a beauty salon as a Junior Beauty Therapist.
• This course allows further progression to our SCQF Level 6 Beauty Services and Treatments course.