HND Beauty Therapy at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

A two-year HND developing the knowledge, research and practical skills for work in the beauty industry, taught by industry professionals in a realistic salon environment with contemporary equipment. Year 1 is the HNC Beauty Therapy and year 2 builds advanced and specialist treatment skills.

Duration: Full-time: 2 years; part-time: 4 years (HNC plus HND) | Intake: September | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 is the HNC Beauty Therapy. Year 2 mandatory units: advanced facial and body therapy techniques, lifestyle advice for clients, promotional and selling skills, graded unit 2 and product knowledge; further mandatory or optional units may include advanced depilation, contemporary spa massage, spa treatments, seated massage, remedial massage, electrical depilation and epilation, nail and eyelash enhancements, reflexology, aromatherapy and a work placement.

Career pathways

Salons, hotels, cruise ships and self-employment; progression to year three of BSc (Hons) Integrative Healthcare.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Entry to year 1 (HNC Beauty Therapy): 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above, or 1 A level at grade D or above (preferably English or a science subject), plus 3 National 5 or 3 Standard Grades (1, 2 or 3), or an SCQF level 6 programme or equivalent; alternatively NC Beauty Care or SVQ3 Beauty Therapy. Direct entry to year 2 with the completed HNC Beauty Therapy (15 credits). Applicants without standard entry are considered individually. Applicants must be 16 or over on the first day and will be invited to an interview. International applicants: IELTS for UKVI (Academic) 5.5 overall with no element below 5.0, or LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (60 overall, no element below 55), taken at a UKVI-approved centre for Student Route visa applicants; online students overseas need IELTS Academic 5.5 overall with no element below 5.0 or a CEFR B2 equivalent in all four components. Not open to international students needing a Student Route visa or studying online from outside the UK.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,285 a year (2026/27). Scotland-domiciled students, full-time Source

International applicants: GBP 9,460 a year (2026/27). Full-time, term-time address in Scotland (course open only to international students who do not need Student Route visa sponsorship) Source

Intake: September

Duration: Full-time: 2 years; part-time: 4 years (HNC plus HND)

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