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

  • CAO Points: 280

  • Campus: Moylish, Limerick City

  • years: 4


Course Overview

The beauty and spa sector provides highly valued and important services to clients, not only from a grooming perspective, but also in terms of added benefits such as enhanced self-confidence, positive mental health and general wellbeing. The sector is a very important component of the economy and provides employment opportunities all over the country and internationally. It is a dynamic industry that is constantly evolving and adapting to customer needs. A key characteristic is that practitioners spend a lot of time with their customers.

Business Studies with Beauty and Spa Management prepares you to meet the sector’s need for highly skilled and trusted professionals who can establish strong relationships with clients, deliver services in a professional, efficient and hygienic manner, and progress to management roles within the industry.

The course covers both the creative and business aspects of the beauty and spa sector. Learning and practising in well-equipped workshops, you are encouraged and facilitated to further develop your creativity and also acquire strong business know-how. By combining technical beauty and spa skills with business/management competencies, the course equips you to work and progress in a wide range of beauty and spa settings.

There is a full semester of work placement and/or the option to study at one of our partner universities across Europe, as well as regular field trips and guest lectures. In addition to the assessment requirements for your degree, you may also complete external examinations for professional qualifications from the International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC) and the Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC).

Additional Information

TUS is delighted to be in an academic partnership with the Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI). This partnership offers students of the Department of Hospitality Tourism & Wellness, Moylish, Limerick and the Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure, Athlone campus, complimentary membership of the professional body while they study at TUS. Members are connected with the wider IHI professional network, a great resource for those looking to learn more about the Irish hospitality industry while making valuable connections to support early-stage career decisions. Members have access to a wide range of learning and development resources including the IHI Mentors Matter programme which supports career progression and advancement of members. Graduates benefit from a further year’s complimentary membership of IHI.

Contact Details

Serena Keane

Email: Serena.Keane@tus.ie

Business and Humanities Faculty Office

Email: BusinessandHumanities@tus.ie

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

A minimum of 2 H5 & 4 O6/H7 grades in six Leaving Certificate subjects, including English or Irish. Foundation Level Mathematics at grade F2 or higher is acceptable as meeting the Mathematics requirement for this programme.

Mature Applicants

Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Course Modules

  • Academic Writing

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Aesthetics Treatments – Skincare, Eye Treatments and Waxing

    Credits: 10

    This module aims to equip learners with the theoretical underpining and practical skills required for the delivery of skin care with eyelash and eyebrow treatments and waxing treatments. 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.

  • Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Principles of Financial Accounting

    Credits: 5

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

  • Principles of Management and Marketing

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Anatomy and Physiology

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Business and Professional Practice

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Business Decision Making and Applications

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Make Up application

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Manicure and Pedicure

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Web Design & Implementation for the Beauty Industry

    Credits: 5

    This module has been developed to enable learners to keep pace with emerging demands for online business presence. During this module students will acquire the requisite skills to plan, develop and analyse an integrated digital presence for organisations in their industry. Students will also use Interactive technologies to generate creative content for their website. Furthermore, through this 100% CA based module, learners will have practical exposure to digital analytics.

  • Anatomy and Physiology for Massage

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • HRM Concepts

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Indian Head Massage

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Legal Environment for Business

    Credits: 5

    A key feature for the management and operation of any business is the regulatory environment in which it trades. In turn it is both controlled and protected by the legal instruments and requirements of that environment. An understanding of the legal environment, through a business lens, is thus a central feature in the academic grounding of a rounded business graduate and allows them to reflect upon the many and varied interacting influencing aspects of business life.
    This module will consider the role and necessity of legal regulation and, in turn, how that regulation is created and developed through various legal tools. This – consideration of the interaction of law and business – presents students with the opportunity to take a holistic viewpoint of their chosen career path. Students will see how law is created and then through the use of various case studies how it has applied traditionally and in more modern times. Such an approach provides a solid grounding in business law for the emerging business person and highlights the linkages and interactions within their course of study

  • Social Media & Mobile Apps

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Swedish Body Massage

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Advanced Anatomy and Physiology for Massage

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to equip students with advanced 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 and how the systems relate to selected massage therapies. This module will provide essential underpinning knowledge and understanding for performing advanced beauty and spa therapies and treatments.

  • Global HRM Practice

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Health, Safety and Client Care

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Hot Stone Massage

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Marketing Communications Practice

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Professional Practice

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Applied therapeutic practice

    Credits: 10

    The aim of this module is to expand professional understanding through direct engagement with the professional world of practice 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.

  • Integrated Marketing Communications

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Nail Technology

    Credits: 10

    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.

  • Positive Health and Wellbeing

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Work Placement/Study Abroad

    Credits: 30

    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.

  • Full Year Module – Entrepreneurship and Business Planning (E)

    Credits: 15

    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.

  • Financial Management for the Beauty Industry

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Laser and Light Treatments for Hair Removal (E)

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Microdermabrasion (E)

    Credits: 5

    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

  • Research Methods

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Full Year Module – Research Thesis (E)

    Credits: 15

    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.

  • Strategic Management Concepts

    Credits: 5

    Strategic Management Concepts examines the theory and practice of strategic management within an organisational context, providing an understanding of the main elements and implications of strategy. Strategic position along with the impact on strategy of the macro environment, the industry environment, the organisation”s strategic capability, the stakeholders and organisational culture are examined utilising theory and application. The module is assessed through an experiential live consultancy project in the learner”s industry which is integrated with the Strategic Marketing module.

  • Strategic Marketing

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Brand Management

    Credits: 5

    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.

  • Microneedling

    Credits: 10

    In this module learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of relevant anatomy and physiology and health and safety pertaining to non-medical aesthetic therapies. They will develop the knowledge, understanding, and skills to consult with and analyse clients whilst providing skin needling treatments. In parallel, learners will develop their communication and customer service skills and widen their knowledge of the principles and practices of nonmedical aesthetic therapies, all of which are valued highly by employers.

  • Skin Rejuvenation

    Credits: 10

    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

    Credits: 5

    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.

What can you do after this programme?

A graduate will find a diverse range of career opportunities both in Ireland and abroad and they can expect to find employment in a variety of roles such as, beauty therapist, advanced skincare therapist, beauty and spa consultant, makeup artistry, employment for talented individuals in fashion, stage and TV makeup and Spa and Beauty Product Salesperson.

Successful graduates of this programme are eligible for Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within TUS or elsewhere.

Additional Information

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