Study at PSC

The Level 2 Diploma in Beauty Specialist Techniques is a qualification that has been specifically designed to develop your practical skills in; how to provide eyelash and brow treatments, removing hair using waxing techniques, applying make-up, manicure, pedicure and skincare. To further enhance your practical skills you will have the opportunity to choose from the following practical units; the application of tanning techniques, instruction on make-up application, removing hair using alternatives to wax such as threading or sugaring, eyelash lifting, ear piercing or the creative skill of nail art. Underpinning this qualification you will develop a sound knowledge of health and safety practice in a salon environment, how to contribute to the effective running of a beauty business, how to carry out effective salon reception duties and how to display retail stock to promote sales in the salon. You will also develop a knowledge and understanding of the practical skills learned throughout this qualification. The purpose of this qualification is to develop your skills in beauty therapy to a high level of occupational ability, to enable you to perform your own salon services. The legislations referred to within this qualification apply to UK learners. For learners outside of the UK, you should familiarize yourself with legislations that may apply to you.

• Follow health and safety practice in the salon
• Client care and communication in beauty-related industries 
• Provide manicure treatments 
• Provide pedicure treatments 
• Apply make-up 
• Provide eyelash and brow treatments 
• Provide facial skin care 
• Remove hair using waxing techniques 
• Salon reception duties 

Internal assessment  Assessment is set, marked and internally quality assured by the center to clearly demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes. Assessment is sampled by VTCT external quality assurers. 

External assessment 

Externally assessed question papers completed electronically will be set and marked by VTCT. Externally assessed hard-copy question papers will be set by VTCT, marked by center staff and sampled by VTCT external quality assurers. 

External anatomy and physiology papers Some units in this qualification contain a Paper 2 of 2, which assess anatomy and physiology only. Rather than complete an individual anatomy and physiology paper (Paper 2 of 2) for every unit, you can complete two external papers that covers all anatomy and physiology papers in this qualification. 

The external paper title in VRQ 2 Beauty Specialist Techniques Mandatory Anatomy and Physiology (Paper 1 of 2) • VRQ 2 Beauty Specialist Techniques Mandatory Anatomy and Physiology (Paper 2 of 2) Once these papers have been achieved all unit external papers titled ‘Paper 2 of 2’ can be signed off by your assessor. This only applies to mandatory units in this qualification. Paper 1 of 1 and Paper 2 of 2 must be completed for all optional units (where applicable). 

Assessment explained VTCT qualifications are assessed and quality assured by centre staff. Work will be set to improve your practical skills, knowledge and understanding. For practical elements, you will be observed by your assessor. All your work must be collected in a portfolio of evidence and cross-referenced to requirements listed in this record of assessment book. Your centre will have an internal quality assurer whose role is to check that your assessment and evidence is valid and reliable and meets VTCT and regulatory requirements. An external quality assurer, appointed by VTCT, will visit your centre to sample and quality-check assessments, the internal quality assurance process and the evidence gathered. You may be asked to attend on a different day from usual if requested by the external quality assurer. 

This record of assessment book is your property and must be in your possession when you are being assessed or quality assured. It must be kept safe. In some cases your centre will be required to keep it in a secure place. You and your course assessor will together complete this book to show achievement of all learning outcomes, assessment criteria and ranges.

When you have successfully completed this qualification will have the opportunity to progress to a number of other VTCT qualifications. For example,  Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy Make-up and Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy Massage. 

Students will need to purchase a uniform ( approx £98.50) and a kit according to their chosen specialism (Beauty approx £350, Hairdressing approx  £155, Barbering approx £180). Please note that these costs may be subject to change – contact the Hair and Beauty department with any queries regarding these fees. The College has a Student Support Fund for those students who might have difficulty meeting these costs.

Two days a week in an industry placement.