For a therapeutic touch
Wellness, a lifestyle, a way of living…Terms that are generally used to define a healthy balance of mind, body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being. It includes social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, work-related, intellectual and physical wellness.
The concept of wellness involves incorporating fitness goals, healthy eating habits, slowing down and relaxing, and taking part in activities which enrich life, like meditation or art/music/dance classes.
The number of spas and salons has grown phenomenally in the last few years and they are now an important part of the leisure industry. Most leisure complexes, hotels and resorts now have their own spas and salons, and they are looking for professionals with the skills and training needed to manage them.
Courses in Beauty and Spa Management are designed to provide students with an excellent foundation in the science, business and management of this particular area of the fashion industry. It teaches subjects required for a successful career as an expert in the fashion and beauty industry as well as in the field of spa management. Coupled with academic studies, these courses allow students to see the context of this particular subject in the wider perspectives of fashion and society.
Qualifications
In the UK, the courses are known by various names such as Beauty Therapy and Spa Management, International Spa Management, Salon and Spa Management, etc. A student can opt for a two-year Foundation course or a three year Bachelor’s degree with honors. They can study either a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, depending on the college or university chosen.
A Foundation degree helps students build a strong base for application of current and new beauty therapies, spa treatments, massage therapies and, salon and spa management. The Bachelor degree courses are a step up from the Foundation courses. They help understand the nature of the salon and spa environment by focusing on academic ability, practical capabilities, science and therapeutic skills and management techniques.
Eligibility and fees
Students will need to have completed their class XII studies. Since all the courses are taught in English, applicants will have to provide proof of their English proficiency in the form of IELTS scores.
The institute may also ask for a personal statement and letters of reference. If any applicant has prior work experience in the field, that may also be considered by the admissions team.
Fees for the Foundation course will be between £7000 and £10,000 a year while the Bachelor’s degree course costs £9000-16000 annually. Scholarships and funding may be difficult to find in these subjects. Colleges or universities which may offer scholarships will have tough eligibility requirements. These will have to be checked with the institutions that one is applying to.
Prominent institutions and careers
Notable British universities conducting courses in these subjects are Newcastle College, University of Bedfordshire, University of Derby, University College Birmingham, University of Arts London, Coventry University and Warwickshire College.
The courses help cultivate skills and techniques required to start a career in the leisure industry. They facilitate development of interpersonal, practical and social aptitudes that are required to perform effective service in this sector. Many talented and skilled cosmetologists and other beauty professionals decide to take their careers to the next level by opening their own spa/salon or by learning to manage one. These courses are designed for people who are interested in learning the business, watching it grow, helping their staff develop skills and, in the process, also learning new concepts like spa financial management, facilities management, sales and marketing, etc. This career is for those beauty and wellness professionals, who can combine their trade techniques with commercial and entrepreneurial expertise.
Source: This article was originally published in Mid-Day newspaper – PDF File: Beauty & Spa Management in UK