Qualification Information
| VTCT Product Code: BT3ED1 | GLH: 475 | Age Restriction: 16 |
| Qualification Number: 601/6976/X | Units: 0 - 21 | Registration End Date: 31st Jul 2021 |
| Level: 3 |
Additional Information
Documentation for this qualification last amended 04 December 2019
Statement of purpose
Who is this qualification for?
The VTCT Level 3 Extended Diploma in Massage Therapies is a technical level qualification aimed at 16-18 learners who are in a full-time Level 3 education programme and wish to pursue a career as an employed and/or self-employed massage therapist.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification although it is likely that learners will hold a Level 2 beauty therapy or equivalent qualification.
What does this qualification cover?
This qualification is based on the national occupational standards for massage therapy and includes all the required elements to work effectively as a massage therapist. Learners must achieve all mandatory units which include:
- Health and safety in the salon
- Client care and consultation
- History and origins of massage therapies
- Swedish massage
- Stone therapy
- Indian head massage
- Anatomy and physiology for the face and body systems
- Promote and sell products and services
- Contribute to the effective running of a business
This qualification will develop learners' knowledge and understanding of relevant anatomy and physiology, health and safety, the history and origins of massage therapies and how to effectively contribute to the overall running of a business. Learners will also develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to consult with clients, successfully promote and retail products, whilst also providing a variety of massage therapies. In parallel, learners will develop their communication and customer service skills, their awareness of environmental sustainability and their commercial skills, all of which are valued highly by employers. Problem solving and research skills will also be developed.
In addition to completing mandatory units, learners are required to complete five optional units. A variety of optional units are available which include (this list is not exhaustive): mechanical massage, holistic facial treatments, Thai stamp massage, body analysis, how to set up and run a new beauty business, social media marketing for a hair or beauty business, salon reception duties and managing a commercial column.
Why is this qualification the most suitable?
This qualification is one of two VTCT technical level qualifications in massage therapies. In addition to this qualification there is the Level 3 Diploma in Massage Therapies; both qualify learners to become massage therapists.
At 475 to 525 guided learning hours (GLH) the Extended Diploma is far larger and most suited to learners who have achieved English and maths at Level 2 and wish to focus the majority of their programme on massage therapies, whereby they will develop a broader range of technical skills.
The Diploma at 370 GLH is most suitable for learners who continue, as part of their programme of study to work towards achieving Level 2 English and maths, or those undertaking another qualification in parallel. Learners may wish to progress from the Diploma to the Extended Diploma.
Which subjects might complement this qualification?
As a service-sector qualification, vocational subjects which may complement this qualification include, customer service, business studies and management, marketing, retail, fashion and photography. Academic subjects that may complement this qualification include maths, English, art and design, design and technology and science.
What could this qualification lead to?
Learners who achieve this qualification are eligible to become members of the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) or Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT). As a massage therapist, learners could progress directly into employment in a variety of contexts, which include:
- commercial salons
- destination/day spas
- massage clinics
- independent/self-employed/mobile/home-based settings
- cruise liners
- airlines or hotel chains
- care homes
Whilst the primary purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners for employment, learners may choose to develop their knowledge and skills further by completing a specialist qualification at Level 4 in one or more of the following areas:
- salon management
- holistic therapies
- sports massage
Who supports this qualification?
This qualification is regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).
This qualification has been submitted to the Department for Education for teaching to 16-19 year olds from September 2016, and will be first reported in the technical level category of the 2018 16-19 performance tables.
This qualification has been developed collaboratively with employers, professional associations and key stakeholders in the massage therapy sector. Because of this, the knowledge, skills and competencies gained will provide the best possible opportunity for progression into employment.
This qualification is formally supported by the following organisations:
| Name | Website address |
| British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology | babtac.com |
Qualification Structure
| Unit Code | Unit Ref | Unit Title | Level | Credits | GLH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BT3ED1.EX1 | External Examination 1 BT3ED1 | 3 | |||
| BT3ED1.EX2 | External Examination 2 BT3ED1 | 3 | |||
| BT3ED1.SYN | Graded Synoptic Assessment BT3ED1 | 3 |
| Unit Code | Unit Ref | Unit Title | Level | Credits | GLH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UBT100M | M/507/5411 | Indian Head Massage | 3 | 50 | |
| UBT101M | Y/507/5421 | Stone therapy | 3 | 50 | |
| UBT119M | A/507/5458 | Promote and sell products and services | 3 | 25 | |
| UBT142M | R/507/5496 | Contribute to the effective running of a business | 3 | 25 | |
| UBT90M | D/507/5517 | Client care and consultation | 3 | 20 | |
| UBT95M | M/507/5537 | Anatomy and physiology for the face and body systems | 3 | 90 | |
| UBT96M | A/507/5539 | Swedish massage | 3 | 50 | |
| UBT98M | R/507/5546 | History and origins of massage therapies | 3 | 30 | |
| UCO28M | L/507/5626 | Health and safety in the salon | 3 | 30 |
| Unit Code | Unit Ref | Unit Title | Level | Credits | GLH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UBT137X | T/507/5491 | Holistic facial treatments | 3 | 30 | |
| UBT147X | D/507/5503 | Thai stamp massage | 3 | 50 | |
| UBT92X | H/507/5521 | Body analysis | 3 | 10 | |
| UBT99X | D/507/5551 | Mechanical massage | 3 | 20 | |
| UCO29X | D/507/5629 | Salon reception duties | 3 | 25 | |
| UCO30X | Y/507/5631 | Social media marketing for a hair or beauty business | 3 | 25 | |
| UCO31X | D/507/5632 | Planning and implementing promotional activities | 3 | 25 | |
| UCO32X | T/507/5636 | Managing a commercial column | 3 | 25 | |
| UCO33X | A/507/5637 | How to set up and run a new hair or beauty business | 3 | 25 |
*For full details of the Rules of Combination for this qualification please see the Qualification Specification/Record of Assessment book.
Documents
*To find specifications for individual units, click on the "Structure" tab of your chosen qualification, select the unit code in the left hand column and on the new page click on the "Download unit book" tab under the unit title.
Centres approved to run this qualification
VTCT accredits centres to offer our qualifications, but cannot advise which centres are running particular courses at any time. Please contact the centre directly to find out if they currently offering your chosen qualification.
NB: The location displayed for each centre is based upon the centre's main address. The location displayed is not necessarily the only location that the centre can deliver VTCT qualifications from. For further information on a centre's delivery capabilities please select the centre's website address.