Enrolling now
Level 4 Diploma in Advanced Beauty Therapy
VTCT Skills Level 4 Diploma in Advanced Beauty Therapy · Ofqual 500/8886/5 · VTCT code AB40162 · VTCT Skills
To prepare learners for employment as advanced beauty therapists, safely and professionally carrying out laser and intense pulsed light hair reduction and skin rejuvenation and microdermabrasion treatments, supported by product chemistry, the physiology of ageing, dermatology and microbiology, quality client care, salon management and marketing.
- Theory
- Online, at your own pace
- In the clinic
- 3 practical days
- Course plan
- 17 online modules
- Units
- 11 units
Course plan
What the course includes
17 online modules on the KCLINICS Academy platform, studied at your own pace, then 3 practical days in the clinic. The plan comes from our scheme of work for this qualification.
- Online lesson
- PDF learning material
- Video demonstrations
- Written homework
- Practical day
- Examination
After the induction, each module has an online lesson, PDF learning material and written homework. Most modules also have video demonstrations and a quiz, and each unit ends with an online module test.
- Course induction and VTCT Skills registration
- Video demonstration: how to use the KCLINICS Academy website (online learning, tests, homework and portfolio)
- Learning agreement and code of conduct
- Introduction to all units, learning outcomes and assessment requirements
Includes video demonstrations.
- Health and safety legislation and responsibilities
- Laser protection adviser, local rules and the laser controlled area
- Protective eyewear, fire precautions and signage
- Risk assessment and insurance
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
- Implementing health and safety practices in the salon
- Managing health, safety and security of people, premises and stock
- Monitoring staff and managing improvements
- Emergency procedures and accident reporting
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
- Chemistry of active ingredients in hair and beauty products
- Effects and safe use of active ingredients
- Properties of packaging materials
- Effects of ultra-violet radiation on products and packaging
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
- Nature of ageing and theories of ageing
- Causes and effects of skin ageing
- Degenerative disorders of the ageing process
- How treatments and products may delay ageing
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
- Structure and functions of the skin, hair and nails
- Diseases and disorders of the skin, hair and nails
- Micro-organisms and infection control
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
- Preparing for the culturing of bacteria
- Investigating the conditions required for bacterial growth
- Recording and evaluating results
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
- Reviewing the overall client service experience
- Quality assurance and client feedback
- Implementing and monitoring procedures to improve client service
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
- History and development of microdermabrasion
- Crystal and diamond microdermabrasion systems
- Skin types, skin conditions and treatment objectives
- Contra-indications and contra-actions
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
- Consultation, skin analysis and treatment planning
- Microdermabrasion techniques
- Adapting the treatment to the client
- Aftercare, SPF and home care advice
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
- History and development of laser and IPL treatments
- Laser and intense pulsed light systems
- Wavelength, fluence, pulse duration, spot size and cooling
- Hair growth cycle, growth patterns and the endocrine system
- Fitzpatrick scale, contra-indications and contra-actions
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
- Consultation, informed consent, patch and thermal tests
- Selecting equipment and treatment parameters
- Laser and IPL hair reduction techniques
- Aftercare and home care advice
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
- History and development of laser and IPL skin rejuvenation
- Photo-ageing, fine lines and pigmentation
- Telangiectasia, spider naevi and Campbell de Morgan spots
- Treatment objectives and skin recovery time
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material and written homework.
- Selecting equipment and treatment parameters
- Laser and IPL skin rejuvenation techniques
- Adapting the treatment to the client
- Aftercare, SPF and home care advice
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
- Management duties, leadership and communication style
- Appraisal, working relationships and employment legislation
- Planning products and services and allocating staff
- Stock control and increasing salon revenue
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
- Principles of marketing and market research
- The marketing mix and target clients
- Planning and evaluating a promotional campaign
- Digital and social media marketing
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
- History and development of beauty-related industries
- Cultural and social influences on beauty
- Technological developments in treatments and products
Includes an online lesson, PDF learning material, video demonstrations and written homework.
Take the course plan with you
Every module, practical day and assessment for the Level 4 Diploma in Advanced Beauty Therapy, as a PDF.
Day 1
09:00–18:00Open salon day
- 09:00–09:15Briefing, health and safety check, assessment plan
- 09:15–10:00Tutor demonstration on a client
- 10:00–13:00Supervised treatments on clients
- 13:00–14:00Lunch
- 14:00–17:30Treatments on clients
- 17:30–18:00Feedback, case studies and portfolio update
On the day
- Tutor demonstration on a client
- Microdermabrasion and laser and IPL treatments on clients
- Case studies and treatment records
Day 2
09:00–18:00Open salon day
- 09:00–09:15Briefing and progress review
- 09:15–13:00Treatments on clients
- 13:00–14:00Lunch
- 14:00–17:30Treatments on clients
- 17:30–18:00Feedback, case studies and portfolio update
On the day
- Microdermabrasion and laser and IPL treatments on clients
- Covering all treatment areas and ranges
- Case studies and treatment records
Day 3
09:00–18:00Open salon day
- 09:00–09:15Briefing
- 09:15–13:00Treatments on clients (summative assessments)
- 13:00–14:00Lunch
- 14:00–14:30Portfolio check and sign-off by the tutor and assessor
- 14:30–17:30VTCT Skills examinations under controlled conditions (durations set by VTCT Skills)
- 17:30–18:00Student and tutor evaluation
On the day
- Microdermabrasion and laser and IPL treatments on clients
- Portfolio check by the tutor and assessor
- External paper UV40463 Physiology of ageing
- External paper UV30456 Dermatology and microbiology
- External paper UV30430 Apply microdermabrasion
- External paper UV30469 Cultural, social and technological influences
- Student evaluation
- Tutor evaluation
- Equipment
- Fully equipped treatment room and couches, laser and IPL systems, wavelength-specific protective eyewear, cooling devices, PPE, consultation and consent forms, treatment records, camera for before and after photographs.
- Safety
- Learners to wear PPE as required by industry code of practice. Learners to carry out risk assessments for heat and potential damage. Gloves to be worn for all treatments with exposure to bodily fluids. Laser and IPL treatments to be carried out only in a laser controlled area following the local rules, with the manufacturer's recommended protective eyewear for the learner and client.
Units and assessment
How you are assessed
11 units
- UV40462Management of health, safety and security in the salon44 guided hours
- UV40461Chemistry of Hair and Beauty Products
- UV40463Physiology of ageing64 guided hours
- UV30456Dermatology and microbiology42 guided hours
- UV40464Quality management of client care in the hair and beauty sector50 guided hours
- UV30430Apply micro dermabrasion39 guided hours
- UV40413Laser and light treatments for hair removal74 guided hours
- UV40414Laser and light treatments for skin rejuvenation74 guided hours
- UV40467Salon management50 guided hours
- UV30460Marketing in the hair and beauty sector32 guided hours
- UV30469Cultural, Social and Technological Influences
While you learn
- Online quizzes and module tests
- Written homework
- Tutor feedback on the platform
- Case studies and practical observation in the open salon
Towards your certificate
- Assignments
- Practical observations/assessments
- Case studies
- Portfolio of evidence
- External paper UV40463 Physiology of ageing
- External paper UV30456 Dermatology and microbiology
- External paper UV30430 Apply microdermabrasion
- External paper UV30469 Cultural, social and technological influences
Entry and progression
Before you start
Learners must be 18 or over to enrol. There are no formal prerequisite qualifications.
Level 4: Specialist practitioner level, the same level as the first year of a degree.
Before this course
This course
Level 4 Diploma in Advanced Beauty Therapy
Leads to: Beauty therapist in salons, spas and clinics, or self-employed
Fees and dates
Paying for the course
Admissions confirms the fee for this course when you ask, and talks you through the ways to pay.
Practical dates
You can enrol at any time, and we place you in the next suitable group. Admissions talks you through dates when they confirm your place.
Ask admissions about datesWays to pay
- Pay in full by card or bank transfer.
- Klarna or Clearpay at checkout, subject to their eligibility checks and approval.
- Monthly course finance through our finance partner, subject to status (18+, UK residents).
- Employer funding: we can invoice your employer.
Direct government funding for learners (Advanced Learner Loans, Mayor of London Adult Skills Fund) is not available through KCLINICS Academy at present and is not expected before 2028. Monthly course finance and self or employer funding are available now.
Apply
Apply for a place
Tell us a little about you and we will confirm your place and next steps. No payment is taken until your place is confirmed.
Prefer to talk first? Call admissions on 020 8050 0750.
Theory is online and self-paced, in 17 sessions. In the academy you attend 3 practical days (24 hours). You have 12 months from enrolment to complete.
Learners must be 18 or over to enrol. There are no formal prerequisite qualifications.
It depends on the technique. Some are practised on yourself or a fellow student, others on model clients booked through our model membership. On our special model offers you can bring a friend or relative as your model.
Practical days are compulsory. Tell the academy team in advance if you cannot attend: a missed practical day can be moved to the next available cohort, subject to availability.
Yes. You can pay by card, or choose Klarna or Clearpay at checkout, subject to their approval.
Beauty therapist in salons, spas and clinics, or self-employed.
Instagram and TikTok · @kclinics_
