- Location
- Cardonald Campus
- SCQF Level
- 5
- Start Date
- 27 Jan 2025
- Qualification Type
- NQ
- Course Type
- Short Full-Time
- Duration
- 18 Weeks (January to June)
Applications are now for a waiting list.
NQ Nail Technician is an 18-week course which focuses solely on hand, foot and nail care techniques and treatments. This introductory, intensive course is designed for anyone who is hoping to pursue a career as a nail technician at a junior level within the vibrant nail and beauty industry.
This could be the ideal course for you if you have artistic flair and wish to learn the basic applications of nail treatments, including manicure, pedicure, nail art, tips with overlays and gel polish.
What will I learn?
During the NQ Nail Technician course you'll learn:
- How to apply manicure and pedicure techniques to benefit fingernails and toenails, including shaping and filing of natural nails, cuticle treatments, hand /foot massage and polishing of nails
- How to apply basic nail art decorations and gel polish to enhance your artistic flair
- How to apply nail tips with an acrylic overlay to enhance nail length.
Entry requirements (minimum)
You must be 16 years or over before the course start date and hold a minimum of:
- Three National 4s, including English, or equivalent; or
- NPA level 4 Beauty / Cosmetology; or
- VTCT Level 2 or 3 Complementary Therapies
- Applications are also invited from those without formal qualifications but who have relevant life and/or work experience.
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.
Employer and industry links
During the course there will be opportunities to attend training events and workshops with external training providers from prestigious companies.
View our industry links by following @glasgowclydehairbeautyspa on Instagram and Facebook.
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 courses starting in August at Glasgow Clyde College to develop your skills further.
- Employment in beauty salons and nail boutiques / bars or self-employment
- NQ Beautician (Level 6)
- NQ Complementary and Spa Therapies (Level 6)
Take a look at the course progression map for hair, beauty and complementary therapies courses.
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 attend an information session and an interview will be part of this.
- 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 December.