- Location
- Cardonald Campus
- SCQF Level
- 5
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- NQ
- Course Type
- Short Full-Time
- Duration
- 18 weeks (August to January)
Applications open 15th January 2025
This NQ Nail Technician course is an exciting and intensive course that focuses solely on nail care techniques and treatments.
The course focuses on developing popular nail technical skills with access to the latest techniques/trends and provides a well-rounded foundational knowledge.
The concentrated learning and experience of an intensive nail program can greatly impact earning potential and career prospects in the ever popular nail industry.
What will I learn?
During this full-time NQ Nail Technician course, you will learn the basic applications of nail treatments, including manicure, pedicure, and develop skills in applying nail art, tips with overlays, gel polishing and other related subjects to NC level 5.
During training you will initially work on fellow classmates and then progress to working on real clients. You will also be required to model for treatments yourself.
Entry requirements (minimum)
- You must be 16 years or over before the course start date; AND
- Three National 4s, or equivalent, to include English; OR
- NPA Beauty/ Cosmetology (Level 4); OR
- VTCT Level 2 or 3 Complementary Therapies.
- Adult returners are considered for interviews without former qualifications.
Entry requirement equivalency table
- If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, the interviewee may discuss an alternative Beauty Therapy course with you.
Jobs and further study
Successful completion of this course means you could move into jobs in the beauty industry at a junior level or progress to other courses to develop your skills further.
- Employment in beauty salons and nail boutiques / bars
- NQ Beautician (Level 6)
- NQ Spa Therapist with Complementary Therapies (Level 6)
- HNC/HND Beauty Therapy
- Progression onto other further education course
- Self-employment
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:
- Invited to book an information session and interview. This session may last up to one hour. During this session you will be given an overview of the course and content and a virtual department tour. You will also be provided with information about Additional Learning Support, if required. Proof of qualifications held or pending (for example, if you are still at school) to admissions@glasgowclyde.ac.uk
The criteria for acceptance on the course includes completing a successful interview by demonstrating good communication skills, achieving a minimum test score at the interview and demonstrating a good knowledge of English communication.
- 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.