VTCT Level 2 Award in Facials (Facial massage & skincare)
(VRQ) training course - BIDEFORD VENUE

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Upcoming Course Dates

Bideford, Devon

This qualification combines your course learning with scheduled in-person practical training and assessment at our Bideford venue.

All scheduled in-person course dates must be attended to meet the practical training and assessment requirements of your qualification.

📍 Venue: Bideford, Devon

Next Course Dates:

Nov '26 - Wed 11th & Wed 18th

Dec '26 - Thurs 10th
Jan '27 - Thurs 14th
Feb '27 - Thurs 11th 
DATES ARE NON TRANSFERABLE TO ANY OTHER DATE OR VENUE
Course Fee: £997
Pay in full or pay monthly

Course at a Glance

🏆 Awarding Organisation: VTCT

📜 Qualification: VTCT Level 2 Award in Facial Massage & Skincare (VRQ)

🔢 Qualification Number: 500/8884/1
VTCT Code: AB20122

📍 Venue: Bideford, Devon

📚 Study Method: Blended learning – in-person practical training + online learning

🚀 Start Date: Please contact us for our next available Plymouth course dates

⏱ Guided Learning Hours: 98 hours, including practical training, coursework, case studies, assessments, research, reading, revision and written exams

👩‍🏫 Practical Attendance: 5 compulsory in-person days for practical training, assessment and exams

💻 Online Learning: Complete your theory and coursework through our online learning portal

💬 Tutor Support: Optional monthly live online coursework support sessions

📋 Case Studies: You will need to carry out and document evidence of a minimum of 6 facial treatments

📚 Entry Requirements: No previous qualifications or experience required

🎓 Units Included:
• UV20483 – Follow Health & Safety Practice in the Salon
• UV20453 – Client Care and Communication in Beauty-Related Industries
• UV20398 – Provide Facial Skincare

💼 Career Potential: Qualify as a facial and skincare therapist, with opportunities to work employed or self-employed within a salon or spa, or offer treatments as a home-based or mobile therapist

🧴 Additional Costs: You will need your own facial kit for practical training and to complete your case studies. This should include suitable cleanser, toner, exfoliant, mask, moisturiser and facial massage oil or cream.

⚠️ Important: All 5 scheduled practical days must be attended. Course dates are allocated to your specific intake and cannot be transferred to alternative dates or another venue.

Course Overview

Start Your Career in Professional Skincare
The VTCT Level 2 Award in Facial Massage & Skincare (VRQ) is an Ofqual-regulated qualification designed to give you the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to begin offering professional facial treatments.

Whether you're completely new to the beauty industry, already working as a massage or complementary therapist, or planning to progress into more advanced facial and skincare treatments, this qualification provides you with a recognised foundation on which to build.

You'll learn how to consult with clients, analyse the skin, select appropriate skincare products and perform a professional facial treatment including cleansing, exfoliation, massage, mask application and aftercare.

No Previous Beauty Experience is Required
This qualification is suitable for complete beginners.

You don't need to already work within the beauty industry or hold a previous facial qualification before joining us.

Your learning will combine online theory with 5 practical training and assessment days at our Plymouth venue, giving you the opportunity to develop your skills with tutor guidance before completing your assessments.

How Your Course Works
We've designed your qualification to combine flexible online study with the hands-on practical training needed to become a confident facial and skincare therapist.

1. Begin Your Online Learning
You'll receive access to our online learning portal, where you can work through the theory elements of your qualification.

Your online learning will help you develop your understanding of:

✓ Health, safety and hygiene
✓ Client care and communication
✓ Skin types and conditions
✓ Skin analysis
✓ Skincare products and their uses
✓ Treatment planning
✓ Contraindications and precautions
✓ Facial treatment procedures
✓ Aftercare

You can work through your online learning around your existing commitments.

2. Attend Your Practical Training in Bideford
You'll attend 5 compulsory practical days at our Bideford training venue.

During your practical training, you'll develop the hands-on skills needed to carry out professional facial treatments safely and effectively.

You'll practise:

✓ Client consultation
✓ Skin analysis
✓ Cleansing and toning
✓ Exfoliation
✓ Facial massage techniques
✓ Mask application
✓ Product selection and application
✓ Completing a full facial treatment
✓ Client aftercare

Your practical days also include the required assessment and examination elements of your qualification.

All 5 practical dates must be attended, so please make sure you're available for your scheduled course dates before booking.

3. Complete Your Case Studies
To develop your skills and treatment experience between your training and assessments, you'll need to carry out and document evidence of a minimum of 6 facial treatments.

Your case studies give you the opportunity to practise what you've learned, develop your treatment routine and build confidence working with different clients and skin types.

You'll need access to suitable models and your own facial products and equipment to complete this element of your qualification.

4. Access Optional Coursework Support
You'll also have access to our optional monthly live online coursework support sessions.

These sessions are an opportunity to:

✓ Ask questions
✓ Get help with your coursework
✓ Discuss your qualification requirements
✓ Receive tutor guidance
✓ Prepare for your assessments and exams

These sessions are optional and are there whenever you'd benefit from some additional support.

5. Complete Your Assessments & Exams
Your qualification includes practical assessments and the required VTCT examination elements.

We'll guide you through the assessment requirements during your course so you know exactly what needs to be completed before you qualify.

What You'll Learn
By the end of your qualification, you'll have developed the knowledge and practical skills to:

📌 Carry out professional client consultations
📌 Analyse different skin types and conditions
📌 Identify contraindications and treatment considerations
📌 Select appropriate skincare products
📌 Cleanse, tone and exfoliate the skin
📌 Perform facial massage techniques
📌 Apply facial masks and finishing products
📌 Plan and adapt facial treatments for individual clients
📌 Provide appropriate skincare and aftercare advice
📌 Follow professional health, safety and hygiene procedures
📌 Communicate effectively with clients
📌 Deliver a complete professional facial skincare treatment

Is This Course Right for You?
This qualification could be ideal if you're:

✨ Completely new to beauty and skincare
✨ Looking for a recognised facial qualification
✨ A massage or complementary therapist wanting to add facial treatments to your services
✨ Returning to the beauty industry after a break
✨ Considering a career change into beauty or skincare
✨ Planning to progress into more advanced facial training
✨ Looking for a regulated qualification rather than a short accredited course

Perhaps you've found yourself thinking:

"I'd love to start offering facials, but I don't have any beauty qualifications."

"I'd like a recognised qualification rather than just a short course."

"I already offer massage or holistic treatments and would love to add skincare."

"Eventually I'd like to move into more advanced facial treatments."

If so, the VTCT Level 2 Award in Facial Massage & Skincare can give you the recognised foundation and practical experience to take that next step.

Where Could Your Qualification Take You?
After completing your VTCT Level 2 Award in Facial Massage & Skincare, you could:

✨ Offer professional facial skincare treatments
✨ Work as a facial or skincare therapist
✨ Work within a beauty salon or spa
✨ Work on a self-employed basis
✨ Offer treatments from a home-based treatment room
✨ Provide mobile facial treatments
✨ Add facial treatments to an existing massage or complementary therapy business
✨ Progress into further beauty and skincare qualifications
✨ Begin building towards more advanced facial treatments

Your individual opportunities will depend on your existing qualifications, experience, insurance requirements and the treatments you wish to offer.

Thinking About Training in Facials but Feeling a Little Nervous?
Starting practical training for the first time can feel a little daunting, particularly if you're completely new to the beauty industry.

"I've Never Done a Facial Before."
That's absolutely fine.
This is a Level 2 qualification suitable for complete beginners. We'll teach you the treatment step by step and give you opportunities to practise your skills during your practical training.

"I'm Nervous About Working on Other People."
That's completely normal when you're learning something new.
Your practical training is there to help you develop your technique and confidence before you're expected to demonstrate your skills for assessment.
Your case studies will then give you further opportunities to practise and become more comfortable carrying out complete treatments.

"I Work Full-Time."
Your theory learning is completed online, allowing you to work through it around your existing commitments.
Your 5 Plymouth practical dates are scheduled in advance, so you'll know when you need to attend the academy.

"I'm Not Very Academic."
You don't need to figure everything out alone.
Your theory learning is broken down through your online learning portal, and you'll have tutor guidance throughout your qualification.
You can also join our optional monthly online coursework support sessions whenever you'd benefit from some extra help.

"I'm Worried About the Assessments and Exams."
We'll explain what's expected before your assessments and help you prepare throughout your course.
Your practical training, online learning and case studies are all designed to gradually build your knowledge and skills as you work towards qualification.

Why Study Your Facial Qualification with HTTA?
There are lots of different facial courses available, from short accredited courses to regulated qualifications.
If you're starting your skincare career, gaining a strong foundation can make a real difference to your confidence and the direction you can take your training in the future.

When You Study with Us, You'll Benefit From:
✨ An Ofqual-regulated VTCT qualification
✨ Experienced vocational tutors
✨ Hands-on practical training
✨ Flexible online theory learning
✨ Small-group practical training
✨ Real treatment practice
✨ Case studies to help develop your confidence
✨ Optional monthly live coursework support
✨ Tutor guidance throughout your qualification
✨ Clear progression routes into further facial and skincare training

We Understand Practical Therapy Training

Holistic Therapies Training Academy has specialised in vocational training within the beauty, massage, complementary therapy and wellbeing industries since 2007.

We understand that learning a practical treatment isn't just about passing an assessment.

It's about developing the knowledge, hands-on skills and confidence to work safely with real clients once you qualify.

Where Could Your Facial Qualification Take You Next?
Your Level 2 Facial Massage & Skincare qualification can provide the foundation for continuing your journey into beauty, skincare and more advanced facial treatments.

You may choose to progress into further training such as:
🎓 LEVEL 2
Facial Massage & Skincare
↓
✨ LEVEL 3
Further Beauty / Advanced Skincare Training
↓
🌿 ADVANCED FACIALS
Develop your treatment menu with further specialist training

Depending on your qualifications and the entry requirements of individual courses, you could then explore specialist treatments such as:

✨ Dermaplaning
✨ High-Frequency Facial
✨ Facial Cupping
✨ Gua Sha Facial
✨ Other advanced facial and skincare treatments

Your Level 2 qualification gives you a strong starting point, but individual advanced courses may have their own entry requirements, so we'll always help you identify the appropriate progression route for the treatments you'd eventually like to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the VTCT Level 2 Award in Facial Massage & Skincare Recognised?
Yes.
The VTCT Level 2 Award in Facial Massage & Skincare (VRQ) is an Ofqual-regulated qualification.
This means you're completing a regulated vocational qualification rather than an attendance-only or privately accredited facial course.

Do I Need Any Previous Beauty or Facial Qualifications?
No.
This qualification is suitable for complete beginners, so you don't need any previous beauty, skincare or facial qualifications to enrol.
It's also suitable for massage or complementary therapists who would like to add professional facial treatments to their existing services.

Is the Course Completely Online?
No.
This is a blended learning qualification.
You'll complete your theory learning through our online learning portal and attend 5 compulsory practical training, assessment and examination days at our Bideford venue.

Do I Have to Attend All 5 Practical Days?
Yes.
All 5 scheduled practical days are compulsory and form part of your qualification.
When you book, you're enrolling onto a specific set of course dates. Please make sure you're available for all of the dates before enrolling, as dates cannot be transferred to another intake or venue.

Where Does the Practical Training Take Place?
Your practical training takes place at our Plymouth, Devon venue.
Please check the course dates and venue information before booking.

What Will I Learn During My Practical Training?
You'll learn how to carry out a professional facial skincare treatment, including:
✓ Client consultation
✓ Skin analysis
✓ Cleansing and toning
✓ Exfoliation
✓ Facial massage
✓ Mask application
✓ Product selection and application
✓ Treatment planning
✓ Client aftercare
✓ Health, safety and hygiene
You'll have opportunities to practise your techniques and develop your confidence before completing your practical assessments.

Do I Have to Complete Case Studies?
Yes.
You'll need to carry out and document evidence of a minimum of 6 facial treatments as part of your qualification.
These give you the opportunity to practise your skills between your training and assessments and build confidence working with different clients and skin types.

Will I Need My Own Models for My Case Studies?
Yes.
You'll need access to suitable people on whom you can practise and complete your required case study treatments.
We'll explain the evidence you need to collect as part of your course.

Do I Need to Buy My Own Facial Kit?
Yes.
You'll need your own facial products and equipment for your practical training and to complete your case studies.
As a minimum, you'll need suitable:
✓ Cleanser
✓ Toner
✓ Exfoliant
✓ Facial mask
✓ Moisturiser
✓ Facial massage oil or cream
We'll provide further guidance on what you'll need for your training.

Are There Any Additional Costs?
Your facial kit and products are not included within the course fee, so you'll need to budget for these separately.
You may also choose to purchase additional textbooks or resources to further support your learning, but these are optional.

Do I Have to Attend the Monthly Online Tutor Sessions?
No.
The monthly live online coursework support sessions are optional.
You can join whenever you'd like additional help with your coursework, qualification requirements or preparation for your assessments and exams.

How Am I Assessed?
Your qualification includes a combination of:
✓ Practical assessment
✓ Case study evidence
✓ Coursework and online learning
✓ VTCT examination requirements
We'll explain each element during your course and help you understand what needs to be completed before you qualify.

I'm a Complete Beginner. Will I Get Enough Practical Experience?
Your practical training is designed to introduce the treatment step by step and give you opportunities to practise before assessment.
You'll then continue developing your skills through your required case study treatments.
The combination of tutor-led practical training and independent case study practice helps you build both competence and confidence.

Can I Work as a Facial Therapist After I Qualify?
The qualification provides a recognised foundation for offering professional facial skincare treatments.
Depending on your individual circumstances, you may work employed or self-employed, within a salon or spa, from a suitable home treatment space or as a mobile therapist.
You should always check the requirements of your insurer and any organisation or premises you intend to work with.

Can I Get Insurance After I Qualify?
The VTCT Level 2 Award in Facial Massage & Skincare is a regulated vocational qualification.
Insurance providers have their own acceptance criteria, so we always recommend checking directly with your chosen insurer regarding the treatments you intend to offer.

Can I Progress Onto More Advanced Facial Treatments?
Yes.
This qualification can provide an excellent foundation for progressing into further beauty, facial and skincare training.
Depending on the entry requirements of the individual course, you may choose to explore treatments such as:
✓ Dermaplaning
✓ High-Frequency Facial
✓ Facial Cupping
✓ Gua Sha Facial
✓ Other advanced facial and skincare treatments
Some advanced treatments or qualifications may require additional Level 3 qualifications, so always check the individual course entry requirements before booking.
Ready to Begin Your Skincare Journey?
Take the first step towards becoming a qualified facial and skincare therapist and develop the practical skills and confidence to offer professional facial treatments.

VTCT Level 2 Award in Facial Massage & Skincare (VRQ)
🏆 Ofqual-Regulated Qualification
📍 Practical Training in Plymouth
💻 Online Theory Learning
👩‍🏫 5 Practical Training & Assessment Days
📚 Minimum of 6 Case Study Treatments
💬 Optional Live Coursework Support
✨ Suitable for Complete Beginners
🎓 Progression into Further Facial & Skincare Training

Pay today to secure your place and enrol.

Insurance

Please check your insurance companies requirements before enrolling on this course? (It is the students responsibility to check coverage with their insurers BEFORE enrolling on this course)
We recommend you hold student insurance while studying this course to cover you while practicing &/or when carrying out case studies (where applicable).
  • If you already have therapist insurance - You should be able to add this therapy onto your current insurance
    If you do not have therapist insurance - You can take out student insurance while practicing, and top this up to therapist insurance when qualified. You can take out student insurance for around £25 which will cover you for up to 12 months. For more information and aa list of recommended insurers - CLICK HERE

Course Lessons

#holistictherapiestrainingacademy

Karen Ashton

Your instructor
Karen Ashton, founder of Holistic Therapies Training Academy and also known as 'The Aromatherapy Geek,' combines her business acumen and passion for holistic wellness to create a thriving training academy. With a background in business ownership, office management, and accounting, Karen meticulously crafts courses that meet industry standards for online, accredited, and VTCT programs. Originally established in Swindon, Wiltshire, the academy flourished after Karen moved to Bideford, Devon, in 2011 for a better work-life balance. Today, she mentors aspiring therapists, helping them achieve professional success while balancing their personal lives. Karen is also an author, vlogger, and course writer, currently working on her second publication, and continues to inspire others.
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