Level 3 Diploma in Nail Technology Studies

This course is perfect for candidates with a GCSE profile of mainly grade 3s or better, but who still need to achieve higher grades in English and Maths. It is your starting point for a career in the beauty therapy industry while offering both GCSE resit opportunities. It will provide you with the chance to gain knowledge and practical experience in skin care, hand and nail care, nail art and nail enhancements. 

This course is designed for you to focus on improving your English and Maths GCSE grades while studying the fundamentals of beauty therapy. 

As part of your studies, you will be required to complete work experience to develop your skills and behaviours to support your progression to further study.

You need to be highly motivated and demonstrate a keen interest in your chosen subject. Offers of a place on the course are dependent on your qualifications and practical aptitude. Entry requirements are:

• a majority of GCSEs at grade 3 or above
• the need to resit both English and Maths

You will have an interview and will be invited to attend a taster session. Parents and carers are welcome to attend the interview and taster.  If you are successful, you will be allocated a conditional place to study.

Mandatory units are:

• Client care and communication
• Apply and maintain nail enhancements
• Airbrush designs for nails
• Enhance nails using electric files
• Health and safety in the salon
• Design and apply nail art
• Promoting and selling products

You will continue to study maths and English and will develop your skills as part of your study programme.

This course will be delivered on-site at the Roundhouse. It is highly practical and so a basic level of fitness is required as you may spend long periods on your feet between breaks.

Theory lessons will require you to take notes in order to revise terminology and learn processes.

English and maths sessions will be traditional classroom-based sessions.

You will be working with clients. Often they are people with whom you will not be familiar or you may be asked to find your own clients on whom to undertake treatments. You will also receive treatments as a client as part of a reciprocal agreement with your peers. You need to be prepared to provide treatments on clients’ feet and hands as part of the course.

There is a kit and uniform to purchase: full details will be given at your interview.

The kit will contain the essentials required to carry out a range of treatments. Financial assistance will be available for eligible candidates.

The uniform must be worn every day.

Please note that jewellery (including facial piercings) and nail extensions are not permitted for practical sessions. These must be removed in advance of practical classes. Hair should be tied back. 

When acting as a client (receiving treatments from a peer) you will need to remove all jewellery and nail enhancements by external salons. You must be considerate about these requests as being unable to participate as a client will negatively impact your peers’ progress on the course.

You will be assessed by a range of methods including practical observation, exams and assignments.

As the course is highly practical, you should expect to have plenty of observations to ensure your competency in each treatment.

There will be written assessments and exams to assess your theoretical knowledge of the subject.

English and maths will be assessed through exam on nationally-set exam dates.

The aim of this programme is for you to improve your GCSE grades in English and Maths. You should be considering moving on to work in the industry or expand your skills with a Level 2 Beauty programme. You could also consider combining your skills with a Level 2 Hairdressing programme.

Careers

This course is an excellent starting point for a career in the beauty sector as a nail technician.

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk