Business Studies with Beauty and Spa Management – BA (Hons)

This module aims to equip students with a range of academic writing competencies by providing an opportunity for students to practise the writing, revising, editing and referencing skills necessary in third level education.

The aim of this module is to equip students with a knowledge of relevant anatomy and physiology of the human body. This is to enable students to understand how the body and its systems work together. How the body’s systems relate to providing non‑invasive aesthetic therapies will be introduced. This module will provide essential underpinning knowledge and understanding for performing beauty and spa therapies and treatments and prepare learners for advanced applications.

This module provides students with an introduction to the concepts, principles, and practices of financial accounting. No prior knowledge of accounting is required.

The aim of this module is to provide learners with an introduction to the ley concepts and theories of management and marketing and to develop an understanding of the role of marketing and management in modern organisations. The module aims to develop the student”s ability to apply knowledge, techniques and skills in order to solve marketing and management problems.

The aim of this applied module is to equip students with a knowledge of relevant anatomy and physiology of the human body. This is to enable students to understand how the body and its systems work together including the endocrine system, lymphatic system, muscular system, nervous system and skeletal systems.This module will provide essential underpinning knowledge and understanding for performing beauty and spa therapies and treatments.

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the knowledge, understanding and skills required to ensure good salon and spa operations and customer care practices within the beauty and spa sector. Learners will also demonstrate the ability to carry out treatments theoretically and practically in line with beauty treatment practice and procedures.

The aim of this module is to introduce learners to accounting tools and techniques that can aid management decision-making process in any modern organisation. Topics to be included are budgetary process, preparation of operating budgets in particular focusing on cash flow budgeting, variance analysis, and internal control procedures. Learners will also actively learn the use of a widely recognised accounting package.

The module is designed to equip learners with the skills necessary to enhance the appearance using make-up. Learners will develop key skills in order to select effective treatments for individual client requirements for assessment of treatments performed. To facilitate this, the module includes the application of practical beauty and spa skills to provide the learner with an appropriate base of knowledge and skills in preparation for advanced techniques and applications.

This module aims to equip learners with the theoretical underpining and practical skills required for the delivery of cosmetic treatments for hands and feet. Learners will develop key skills in order to select effective treatments for individual client requirements for assessment of treatments performed. To facilitate this, the module includes the application of practical beauty and spa skills to provide the learner with an appropriate base of knowledge and skills in preparation for advanced techniques and applications.

The aim of this module is to provide all of the necessary underpinning knowledge of anatomy and physiology to enable the Learner to understand the human body, its structures and functions and how they work together. Developed knowledge of anatomy and physiology will enable the Learner to know when to safely and confidently apply beauty therapy treatments, by making informed decisions relating to Clients” needs and requirements.

This module equips students with an understanding of the core concepts in HR management, taking students on a journey from the earliest origins of the discipline to the present day role of HR as an operational and strategic organisational function. Students will develop a strong applied knowledge of HRM systems, processes and best practice in the planning, staffing and reward of employees. They will appreciate the practical operation of HRM in small, medium and large organisations, as well as the increased devolution of HR activities to line management. Students will also develop practical people management skills through in-class and assessment activities, as well as highly transferable soft skills.

This module covers all the practical applications and required underpinning knowledge of Indian head massage. It will enable learners to provide a massage treatment adapted to the specific needs of the Client, with effective selection and use of a medium. Learners will maintain effective health, safety, and hygiene procedures while demonstrating professional standards of behaviour and communication throughout their work.

This module engages the learner in the application of strategy and marketing to a social media and mobile app environment. It emphasises both the processes and the tools, in an overall marketing strategy, from planning and implementation to the analysis of digital campaigns and mobile app functionality. Learners will examine how best these communication tools and strategies can be applied to compete effectively both offline and online.

This module will assist in providing an understanding of the skills, technical processes, and procedures involved in providing body massage. It will enable the learner to prepare for and provide body massage designed to meet the needs of the client, whilst working in a safe and secure manner. It will provide the knowledge required to identify possible contraindications to treatment, as well as indications for, and benefits and effects of, professional body massage treatments.

The aim of this module is to provide students with a strong practical knowledge of human resource management (HRM) as it operates globally. They will be exposed to the latest HR practices that organisations deploy to maximise competitive advantage through their human resources. Students will track evolving trends in HR management practice globally, critically evaluating their effectiveness and applying this knowledge to in-class activities and practical assignments. They will further develop practical soft skills that are directly transferable and beneficial to their work placement in third year.

This module will enable the learner to monitor and maintain health and safety practices within a working salon/spa environment. Learners will improve on consultation techniques and communication, along with an essential understanding of how to evaluate the information gained and formulate recommendations. Learners will improve their knowledge of health and safety and develop supervisory skills to enable them to carry out risk assessments and monitor health and safety issues in the salon. A thorough knowledge by the therapist, of a variety of methods of communicating and providing Client care, will be achieved.

This Module will enable the learner to develop practical skills in providing relaxing and stress relieving treatments of massage,using hot and cold stones. It covers both massage and the placing of stones, on the head, face, and body. The learner will have the ability to adapt stone therapy treatments to individual client needs, to a high level of occupational ability while adhering to health and safety practices and procedures.

The aim of this module is to engage learners in the importance of comprehending the key communication concepts within a marketing context and then to engage these learners with specific marketing communication techniques that organisations use in reaching their target audiences.

The aim of this module is to expand the professional understanding of beauty and spa treatments through direct engagement with clients and to continue the development of core skills essential to future practice. This module provides learners with the opportunity to further integrate theory and practice and facilitate the development of practical skills while developing a portfolio of work.

The aim of this module is to provide the learner with a clear insight into how the various tools and techniques within the field of marketing communications can be utilised in practice in order to allow the organisation achieve competitive advantage and commercial success. This module will also provide insight into the role played by internal organisational communications and its associated importance In addition, an in-depth examination of the key media options available to both traditional and contemporary marketing organisations will be undertaken.

This module aims to equip learners with the theoretical underpining and practical skills required for the delivery of applying and maintaining nail enhancements in the form of liquid and powder, gel and wraps Learners will develop key skills in order to select effective treatments for individual client requirements for assessment of treatments performed. To facilitate this, the module includes the application of a wide range of practical beauty and spa skills to provide the learner with an appropriate base of knowledge and skills in preparation for advanced techniques and applications.

Learners on the module will reflect on contemporary issues in health and wellbeing. Students wil develop their own personal health resources, particularly in relation to lifestyle related health behaviours. The module will also consider what drives these behaviours and the broader social determinants of health.

This Work Placement/Study Abroad component is an integral part of all academic programmes of the Institute and is provided in compliance with HEA/DES requirements for practice-based learning on all third level courses as laid out in the “Higher Education System Performance Framework 2018-2020” . The overall aim of the module is to offer the student the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout their course of study up to this point in a new and relevant experiential setting. This is to achieved whilst facilitating the student in developing the practical life-skill competencies and communication skills necessary to function as an effective member of the work environment and wider society. Students choosing to study abroad will be provided a comparable programme of study in an approved foreign partner Institution.

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the entrepreneurial process and to equip them with the required skills to prepare a business plan relevant to the Sports industry. The module aims to consolidate learners” knowledge and skills in the Market Research, Marketing Strategy, Operations Management and Financial Accounting & Management acquired throughout their studies culminating with the preparation of a Business Plan.

This module will enable learners to appreciate the role that financial management plays in an organisation within the beauty industry. The aim of this module is to equip learners with the requisite tools to analyse and evaluate a firms” financial performance and stability, specifically looking at profitability, liquidity, working capital management and gearing. Application of these tools and techniques will enable the learner to make strategic decisions to successfully manage and grow an organisation within the beauty industry.

This module concentrates on therapeutic techniques and advancements in technologies, to equip learners with necessary practical and theoretical skills in order to provide laser and light treatments for hair removal to include consultation, skin and hair analysis, recognising contra-indications and contra-actions, carrying out relevant tests prior to treatment and adapting the treatment to the client”s needs.

This module will enable learners to gain the necessary practical and theoretical skills in order to provide microdermabrasion treatments to improve the appearance and condition of the skin on the face and body

The aim of this module is to advance skills, knowledge and understanding that will enable students to undertake self-directed academic research in preparation for the independent research study thesis/project. More specifically, this module reflects the growing importance of implementing different methodologies in the current dynamic environment. As such, this module provides the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake each step in the research process by introducing students to the concepts of research philosophies, types of research, research approaches, methods of data collection, data analysis, sampling techniques, research integrity and research ethics.

The aim of this module is to consolidate learners” knowledge from previous years in a capstone research thesis.
This module provides students with the opportunity to focus on a specific area of interest by producing a self-managed, analytical, in-depth evaluation of a relevant area of study providing the student with the opportunity to research a chosen and approved topic and to draw on previous studies. Students will be able to pursue an empirical study with an applied focus concentrating on their specific discipline area while also having the opportunity to undertake a conceptual literature based study. This module will enable students to demonstrate that they can take substantial responsibility for their own learning by affording the opportunity to choose, undertake and report upon a major investigation of a topic relevant to their discipline area and/or industry.
Students” will define a clear research question and identify the objectives of their research before undertaking a critical review of the existing literature. Students” will design the research method and data collection process and will in turn analyse and critically discuss results in relation to the identified research question and objectives. By challenging students to manage their own learning, the research thesis makes a major contribution to their overall Level 8 classification process.

This module examines the role of marketing in strategy development and the move towards the market led business where the market and the customers should be the starting point in business strategy formulation. The aim of this module is to develop the learner”s ability to develop a critical approach in analysing, planning and implementing strategic marketing decisions.The module is assessed through an experiential live consultancy project with a client organisation in the learner”s industry which is integrated with the Strategic Management Concepts module.

The aim of this module is to provide the learner with a practitioner level understanding of the theories and application of branding in 21st century business. The module will examine the importance of creating and managing brands as well as the branding strategies employed across various brand leaders. Contemporary issues in branding will also be explored such as the use of social media, brand communities and the growth of the global brand. The continuous assessment component of this module is integrated with the Strategic Management Practice module through client engagement with a live consultancy project.

This Module concentrates on skin rejuvenation, to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and competencies in providing laser, intense pulsed light. In so doing, this module will combine advances in skin rejuvenation electrotherapy for the face, skin rejuvenation pigmentation, and diffused redness treatments.

Strategic Management Practice examines theory and practice of strategic management in an organisational context. Strategic analysis is explored, along with the organisational considerations of deciding on exact strategies to follow and the implications of strategic choices & evaluation in dynamic and global environments. The module also investigates how internal leadership styles, varying organisational cultures and change management styles and perspectives impact on the implementation and practice of strategic management. The continuous assessment component of this module is integrated with the Brand Management module through client engagement with a live consultancy project.