The Level 2 Beauty Therapist, and the 33 providers delivering it.
Completing beauty treatments as a key part of a beauty business.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices learn to deliver one-to-one beauty therapy treatments to a professional standard within commercially realistic timeframes. The training covers core practical skills including skin care, facial treatments, waxing, nail treatments, and eye treatments, alongside client consultation, health and safety compliance, and salon hygiene protocols. Apprentices also develop an understanding of retail, product knowledge, and how individual treatments contribute to the wider business. The standard expects unsupervised working at a high level of precision, in line with legal and industry requirements.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Working in a salon, spa, or similar environment, apprentices carry out client consultations and deliver a range of hands-on treatments throughout the day. They prepare treatment areas, maintain hygiene standards, handle retail product recommendations, and manage appointment time effectively. Client record-keeping, contraindication checks, and following health and safety procedures are part of every working day. As confidence builds, apprentices are expected to work independently rather than rely on constant supervision from a senior therapist or manager.
Career outlook
Completing this apprenticeship typically leads to roles such as Beauty Therapist, Nail Technician, or Waxing Specialist within salons, spas, hotels, and wellness centres. Some therapists progress into senior or lead therapist positions, move into specialist treatment areas, or go on to study at Level 3 to broaden their treatment offering. Employers range from independent salons and day spas to cruise lines, gym and leisure facilities, and department store concessions. Self-employment is also a realistic route, particularly for those who build a strong client base during their training.
33 approved providers
Sorted by achievement rate.
Omni Academy of Beauty is a specialist hair, beauty, make-up and aesthetics training provider based ...
Middlesbrough College Group provides a broad range of education and training routes for school leave...
The University of Derby is a UK higher and further education institution that works closely with emp...
Introtrain & Forum Limited (IFL) is an Oxfordshire-based training provider offering apprenticeship a...
York College & University Centre is a large general further education college offering a broad appre...
Craven College is a further and higher education college based in Skipton, North Yorkshire, which of...
Qdos Training is a UK-based provider of funded apprenticeships and adult education, supporting learn...
Heart of England Training is a private training provider established in 1971, offering a structured ...
Kleek Apprenticeships is a specialist UK training provider focused on hair and beauty apprenticeship...
New College Durham is a further and higher education college that offers a broad apprenticeship and ...
Preston College is a further education provider based in Preston, Lancashire, offering a wide range ...
Wirral Met College is a large further and higher education college supporting over 10,000 students e...
Macclesfield College is a further education provider offering apprenticeships, college courses for 1...
Vision West Nottinghamshire College, often referred to as West Notts College, provides education and...
Halls of Ivy is a specialist hair and beauty academy offering apprenticeship training and vocational...
City College Plymouth is a further education college offering a wide range of apprenticeship and voc...
Achievement Training Limited (ATL) is a private training organisation based in Plymouth city centre,...
Oldham College is Oldham’s specialist provider of work-related education and training, working with ...
Rewards Training Recruitment Consultancy is a leading training provider based in Crawley, serving th...
The Academy is a government-funded specialist training provider offering apprenticeships and vocatio...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completers typically move into roles such as Beauty Therapist, Junior Beauty Therapist, or Spa Therapist, working across a range of settings from high street salons to hotel spas. Some move directly into a named therapist position with a full treatment menu, including facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures, and body treatments. Others take on a Salon Assistant or Junior Spa Therapist role while building their client base and commercial speed.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, many therapists progress to Senior Beauty Therapist or Lead Therapist, taking responsibility for more complex treatments and sometimes supervising junior staff. Those drawn to management can move towards Salon Manager or Spa Supervisor roles. The specialist track includes advanced qualifications in areas such as semi-permanent makeup, advanced skincare, or aesthetic treatments, which can lead to roles as a Skincare Specialist or independent practitioner running their own business.
Where these roles sit
Employers range from independent salons and franchise chains through to hotel and resort spas, cruise ship operators, and destination wellness retreats. Retail beauty counters in department stores also hire therapists for treatment-based roles. The sector sits predominantly in the private sector, though some roles exist in healthcare-adjacent settings such as hospice complementary therapy services. Opportunities are spread across urban high streets and rural spa destinations, with demand consistent across the UK.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Throughout the apprenticeship, learning takes place in a real workplace, allowing the apprentice to build practical skills in treatments and client care alongside their employment. Before final assessment, the apprentice must pass a readiness check, often called a gateway, which confirms they have reached the standard of competence required by their employer and training provider. Final assessment then verifies that the apprentice can perform the role to occupational standard, covering the knowledge, skills and behaviours the role demands. Assessment models for many standards are currently being updated as part of ongoing reforms, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Building a body of workplace evidence from the start of the programme makes the end stages far less pressured. Apprentices should keep records of treatments carried out, client interactions, and professional development activities as they progress, rather than attempting to gather evidence retrospectively. Working closely with both the employer and training provider throughout helps ensure that any gaps in knowledge or practice are spotted and addressed early. The gateway readiness check draws on this evidence, so consistent record-keeping across the whole apprenticeship is practical preparation in itself.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Look for providers who deliver practical training in a realistic salon or treatment environment, not just a classroom. Achievement rates above 65% are a reasonable baseline; above 75% suggests strong completion and support structures. Check whether the provider's apprentice satisfaction scores reflect good feedback on hands-on time and treatment practice, not just theory. Employer satisfaction scores matter here too, because client-facing standards are central to the role. Providers who work regularly with salons, spas, and hospitality venues will understand the pace and presentation standards apprentices need to meet from day one.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious if a provider cannot clearly explain how much time apprentices spend on practical treatments versus theory. High enrolment numbers alongside a declining achievement rate may signal overstretched assessors or thin employer engagement. If a provider cannot point to past learners working in beauty roles after completing the programme, that is worth probing. Vague answers about how they assess client consultation skills, hygiene compliance, or treatment timing suggest the off-the-job training may not reflect real salon conditions.
Questions to ask before you commit
- What does a typical off-the-job training session look like, and how much of it is hands-on treatment practice?
- How do you ensure apprentices are completing treatments within commercially viable times, as the standard requires?
- What is your current achievement rate for this standard, and how has it changed over the last two years?
- How do you support apprentices who are working in smaller salons where supervision is limited?
- What hygiene, health and safety, and professional presentation standards do you teach to, and how are these assessed?
- Can you provide examples of the types of employers your past completers have gone on to work for?
- How do assessors keep their own industry knowledge current?
Common questions
What are the entry requirements for the Beauty Therapist apprenticeship?
There are no nationally fixed entry requirements, so individual employers and training providers set their own criteria. Most expect good communication skills and a genuine interest in beauty therapy. Some providers ask for GCSEs in English and Maths, or equivalent qualifications, though these can sometimes be worked towards alongside the apprenticeship. The apprentice must be employed in a relevant role for the duration of the programme, working in a salon, spa, or similar beauty setting.
How long does the apprenticeship take and what does the time commitment look like?
The typical duration is around 15 months, though the actual length depends on the apprentice's prior experience and how quickly they meet the required standard. Apprentices are employed throughout and complete work-based learning alongside any off-the-job training. The current rules on minimum duration and off-the-job training hours are subject to revision under Skills England reforms. Check the current specification on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education page on gov.uk before planning.
How is the Beauty Therapist apprenticeship assessed?
Before taking the end-point assessment, the apprentice must pass through a gateway, where the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has met all the occupational standards and is ready. Assessment methods for this standard are being reviewed, so visit the gov.uk page for the latest confirmed assessment approach. Generally, end-point assessment checks that the apprentice can deliver treatments competently, professionally, and within commercially realistic timeframes, without supervision.
How does an employer pay for this apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £7,000, which is the maximum government contribution towards training costs. Employers who pay the apprenticeship levy use their levy account to fund it. Non-levy-paying businesses, typically SMEs, co-invest alongside the government, currently paying 5% of training costs with the government covering the remaining 95%. Very small employers taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing. Speak to your chosen training provider to confirm current funding rules.
What does a Beauty Therapist apprentice actually do day-to-day?
Day-to-day work centres on delivering one-to-one beauty treatments, which can include skincare, nail treatments, waxing, and facial therapies, depending on the employer's service offer. The apprentice works to commercially viable timings, maintains the salon's professional image, and follows legal and hygiene requirements. They consult with clients, record treatment information, and keep their work area clean and prepared. Over time, they build the ability to manage a treatment column independently and without direct supervision.
What can a Beauty Therapist apprentice do after completing this apprenticeship?
Completing this apprenticeship opens routes into a range of beauty settings, from salons and spas to cruise ships and hotel wellness facilities. Some go on to specialise in areas such as advanced skincare, nail technology, or semi-permanent makeup through further training. Others progress to the Level 3 Beauty Therapist standard, which covers more advanced treatments and broader professional responsibilities. With experience, roles such as senior therapist, salon supervisor, or self-employed practitioner become realistic options.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 363.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.