NQ Beauty (Level 5)
- Location
- Langside Campus
- Start Date
- 24 Aug 2026
- Qualification Type
- NQ
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 1 Year (August to June)
Applications for Aug 2026 courses open Wednesday 14th January 2026
This is a full-time introductory level course learning the key principles and fundamental knowledge of beauty therapy treatments.
During the course you will gain hands-on experience in key beauty therapy treatments while developing an understanding of professional standards, client care, and workplace readiness.
This course is suitable for creative, hands-on individuals who enjoy working directly with people, and who are passionate about beauty, wellness and self-care. You must be willing to receive all treatments as well as perform them on others. The course is ideal for anyone who is new to beauty therapy who wants to build a strong foundation of skills before moving to further study or employment.
What will I learn?
During NQ Beauty you'll learn:
- Facial skincare treatments
Cleansing, exfoliation, massage and masks. - Waxing techniques
Hair removal using warm waxing techniques - Back massage treatments
Prepare and perform relaxation and body wellbeing techniques. - Scalp massage: An introduction
Prepare and perform a scalp massage treatment - Hand and foot treatments
Manicure and pedicure techniques - Apply nail art
Perform a variety of nail art techniques on the hands and feet - Developing skills in eye treatments
Practical application of eyelash and eyebrow tinting, eyebrow shaping, strip and cluster lash applications - Developing skills in Make-up
Practical application of make-up - Tip and overlay enhancement
Full set tip and acrylic overlay application, infill and removal techniques
Entry requirements (minimum)
- Three National 4 qualifications; OR
- NPA Cosmetology; OR
- Other equivalent qualifications or experience.
- You must provide a strong personal statement on your application.
- Due to health and safety, awarding bodies stipulations or legislation set by governing bodies - you must be 16 years old at the start of this course.
- If English is not your first language you must have ESOL National 5, or equivalent.
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications (SCQF) Framework can help you to check if you're choosing the right level of study. Take a look at the SCQF Interactive Framework here.
If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Employer and industry links
You will be offered training workshops with professional skincare and make-up brands such as Ishga organic skincare, Kaeso skin and body care and OPI nails.
Jobs and further study
You may progress to NQ Beautician (Level 6) at Glasgow Clyde College.
With the required Beauty Therapy qualifications, you may be able to find employment at a junior level in a beauty salon, spa or cruise ship.
Take a look at the course progression map for hair, beauty and complementary therapies courses.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
I've applied — what happens next?
When you apply
You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).
Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you will either be:
- Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional)
- Invited to book an interview session
- Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
- We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.
If you are invited to interview, you will be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:
- Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
- Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
- Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.
Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date. This will normally be sent out in June / July.