The Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy is the natural next step for anyone who has already completed a Level 2 beauty therapy qualification in the UK. It builds on existing knowledge and understanding, helping learners expand their scope of technical skills for employment as a fully qualified beauty therapist.
Focus Awards is the Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation behind the Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy (RQF). This qualification sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), giving learners a nationally recognised certification that is respected across the beauty industry.
In this blog, we will cover exactly what the Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy involves, the entry requirements, what the course content covers, how the qualification is structured, the career opportunities it can lead to, and the progression routes available once you have qualified.
What Is the Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy?
The Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy is a vocational qualification sitting at Level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). It is delivered by Focus Awards as the Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation, meaning it is quality-assured and nationally recognised across England and Northern Ireland.
This diploma is aimed specifically at learners who have already completed a Level 2 beauty therapy qualification. The purpose of the qualification is to build on the existing knowledge and understanding gained at Level 2, allowing learners to expand the scope of their technical skills for employment as a beauty therapist.
It is important to understand that this diploma is different from the Level 3 Diploma in Combined Beauty Therapy Skills, which is designed for complete beginners with no prior knowledge. The Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy specifically requires learners to have already completed Level 2 before they begin, so if you are starting from scratch, the Combined qualification is the route you would need instead.
Entry Requirements for the Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy
The most important entry requirement for this diploma is that learners should have already completed the Level 2 beauty therapy qualification. This ensures every learner starting the Level 3 Diploma already has a solid foundation of beauty therapy knowledge and practical skills to build upon.
Beyond this, Focus Awards does not set any other strict entry requirements, although additional criteria may be requested or specified by individual training centres. Learners should be competent in literacy and numeracy to help with elements of communication throughout the course, and should be a minimum of 16 years old to undertake this qualification.
Course Content and What You Will Learn
The Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy covers a wide range of advanced treatments and technical skills, building directly on what learners studied at Level 2. Here is an overview of the key areas typically covered:
Health and Safety Regulations and Legislation
Learners deepen their understanding of health and safety regulations and legislation, learning how to plan, prepare, and deliver Level 3 beauty treatments safely and correctly within a salon or spa environment.
Advanced Body Massage
The course covers advanced body massage techniques, helping learners build on the foundational massage skills developed at Level 2 and apply them with greater confidence and technical precision.
Facial Electrotherapy
Learners study facial electrotherapy treatments, developing the knowledge and practical skills needed to use electrotherapy equipment safely and effectively as part of a professional facial treatment.
Advanced Skincare Treatments
The diploma also covers advanced skincare treatments, expanding on the facial and skincare knowledge gained at Level 2 to give learners a more sophisticated understanding of client skin needs.
Client Care and Anatomy and Physiology
Throughout the course, learners continue to build their understanding of anatomy and physiology, alongside strong client care skills, ensuring every treatment is delivered safely, professionally, and with genuine attention to the individual client.
How the Qualification Is Structured
To achieve the Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy, learners must achieve 3 mandatory units totalling 17 credits. A minimum of 22 credits must then be achieved from the remaining optional units, creating a total credit value for this qualification of 39 credits.
This structure gives learners some flexibility to choose optional units that reflect the areas of beauty therapy they are most interested in, while ensuring every learner covers the core mandatory content needed to work safely and competently as a Level 3 beauty therapist. The course combines both practical, hands-on training and theory-based learning, helping learners develop confidence in both areas before entering employment.
Career Opportunities and Progression
Completing the Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy opens up genuine career opportunities across the beauty industry. Many learners go on to work in salons and spas as a fully qualified beauty therapist, while others choose to become self-employed, building their own client base and working flexibly across different locations.
For those who want to specialise further, the diploma provides a strong foundation for progression to advanced Level 4 qualifications. Focus Awards offers the Focus Awards Level 4 Certificate in Micropigmentation (RQF) for those who want to move into more advanced, technical beauty treatments.
Some learners also progress towards business ownership, studying the Focus Awards Level 4 Diploma in Managing a Salon Business (RQF) to develop the knowledge needed to run their own salon once they have built up practical experience as a beauty therapist.
Others choose to expand their technical scope into specialist treatments, such as the Focus Awards Level 4 Certificate in Laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatments (RQF), which allows qualified beauty therapists to offer more advanced clinical treatments within a salon or spa setting.
Why Choose Focus Awards for This Qualification?
Choosing the right awarding organisation matters when building a credible career in beauty therapy. Focus Awards is Ofqual-regulated, meaning the Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy is a nationally recognised RQF qualification that employers across the beauty industry can trust.
As an established UK awarding organisation, Focus Awards is recognised across salons, spas, and training centres throughout England and Northern Ireland. For learners who want to strengthen their theoretical knowledge alongside this diploma, the Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Understanding Human Anatomy and Physiology (RQF) makes an excellent complementary qualification, reinforcing the anatomy and physiology content covered throughout the course.
Take the Next Step in Your Beauty Therapy Career
The Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy is a well-respected, nationally recognised qualification that builds directly on your Level 2 knowledge, giving you the advanced skills needed to work confidently as a beauty therapist. From advanced body massage to facial electrotherapy and skincare treatments, this diploma prepares you for genuine employment within salons, spas, and self-employment.
Focus Awards provides a flexible, regulated, and professionally respected route to achieving this qualification. If you have already completed your Level 2 beauty therapy qualification, speak to an approved training centre today and take the next step towards becoming a fully qualified beauty therapist.
Get in Touch with Focus Awards
To find out more or to get in touch, visit our contact page or explore our qualification development services if you need a bespoke qualification developed for your organisation.
You can explore our full range of qualifications on our website at https://focusawards.org.uk/qualification/ or contact us directly at info@focusawards.org.uk or on 0333 3447 388.
