PDA Diploma in Spa Therapies
Would you like to be recognised as a professional in your workplace? Would you like to maximise your potential by building on existing skills to gain a new qualification?
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), with support from the British International Spa Association (BISA), have created an exciting new Diploma in Spa Therapies.
What is the PDA?
This new Diploma is a Professional Development Award (PDA), which provides the breadth of skills required by spa professionals in this dynamic and expanding industry. It allows existing spa therapists, consultants, beauty therapists and complementary therapists to formalise their skills.
The PDA Diploma in Spa Therapies can be accessed through various routes and can complement existing qualifications. The course can be taken up as a whole or as standalone units.
No formal qualifications are needed but a sound background in anatomy and physiology, body massage or sport related activities would be an advantage.
What does it consist of?
The PDA consists of eight Higher National Units:
- History of Spa Therapies
short description - Spa Therapies: Scheduling and International Codes of Practice
short description - Spa Therapies: Water Hygiene
short description - Spa Therapies: Heat Treatment
short description - Spa Therapies: Water Therapies
short description - Spa Therapies: Principles and Practice of Flotation and Hydrotherapy
short description - Spa Treatments 1
short description - Spa Treatments 2
short description
Each of the units can be studied individually on a stand-alone basis. You can undertake any or all of the units, depending on your own needs.
Who is it for?
The PDA is designed to meet the needs of both spa employer, regardless of where they run their business, and anyone who is interested in working within this vibrant industry. It is of particular interest to those who wish to upgrade their own skills, or employers who want to ensure that their staff are trained to a recognised level.
Because the units can be studied individually, it allows different professions to focus on the areas most relevant to them. The following examples show the flexibility of the PDA and its suitability for a wide range of jobs within the spa industry:
Spa Receptionist
- Spa Therapies: History of Spa Therapies
- Spa Therapies: Scheduling and International Codes of Practice
Swimming Pool Attendant
- Spa Therapies: Water Hygiene
Beauty Therapist/Complementary Therapist/Spa Therapist
- Spa Therapies: Principles and Practice of Floatation and Hydrotherapy
- Spa Therapies: Heat Treatments
- Spa Therapies: Water Therapies
- Spa Treatments 1
- Spa Treatments 2
How long does it take?
The course consists of approximately 360 hours of study. For most people it will take around nine months to complete, but some may do it more quickly.
You will meet on a regular basis with your tutor in a college or other educational environment for theoretical inputs. Given the course is based on practical experiential learning, much of your time will also involve being in a spa situation. The theoretical and practical aspects are the basis for this qualification to ensure that you will understand industry requirements within the spa therapy context. You will also be given time to work on your in preparation for the assessments.
What are the costs?
Course fees will vary amongst colleges and training provides, and may depend upon the number of students enrolling. In the United Kingdom some applicants may be eligible for assistance with course fees from Learndirect through the Individual Learning Account scheme. SQA is at this time in early dialogue with QCA to have this new qualification put onto the National Framework. If this is successful it may permit funding through the normal routes in various parts of the UK.
Finding out more
The Scottish Qualifications Authority is the national body in Scotland for the development, accreditation, assessment and certification of qualifications other than degrees.
For further information and enquires please e-mail:
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BISA Education Officer
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SQA Qualifications Manager