Course Syllabus

Below is a detailed breakdown of the syllabus covered on the iTEC Level 3 Massage Diploma course. 

Unit iUCT24: Provide Body Massage for Complementary Therapies

View the full ITEC syllabus here

Classes are taught in small groups with detailed practical demonstration and guided massage. Students work closely with the tutor learning not only the techniques but also how to protect themselves from the strain and stress while carrying out body therapy.

You will learn

• Full body massage using following techniques – effleurage, petrissage, percussions including hacking, cupping, beating, pounding, tapotement.
• Treatment environment and working area
• Therapist appearance and behaviour
• Client care and preparation
• Client consultations including contraindications and restrictions
• Reflective practice

Unit iUCT38 - Knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology for Complementary Therapies:

(to be studied via e-learning or additional class days prior/alonside the course)

View the full syllabus for Unit iUCT38 here

Understand the anatomy, physiology and pathologies of each system:

• Organisation of the body
• Cells
• Skeletal
• Muscular
• Cardiovasular
• Respiratory
• Digestive
• Neurological/Nervous
• Endocrine
• Lymphatic
• Reproductive
• Urinary
• Skin, Hair, Nails

Assignment 1: Unit 384 Principles and Practice of Complementary Therapies

You will write 2 assignments as part of your coursework. This first assignment explores the origins and principles of four chosen complementary therapies.

View iUCT21 Assignment Guidelines Here

Assignment 2: Unit iUCT34 Business Practice for Complementary Therapies

The second assignment considers professional practice and setting up your business as a massage therapist. You will plan and prepare an appropriate business plan for a potential complementary therapy practice.

View iUCT34 Assignment Guidelines Here

If you have already covered these assignments in a previous qualification such as a Reflexology Diploma, we may be able to RPL (recognition of prior learning). Get in touch to find out if this applies to you!

Unit UIP4: Infection Prevention (COVID-19) for complementary therapies and sports massage

The aim of this unit is to develop the learner’s knowledge and understanding of how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and how to work safely. Learners will develop knowledge on the importance of social responsibility, the causes, transmission and effects of COVID-19, and the methods used to control transmission, such as correct hand hygiene and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). They will also gain an understanding of the safe working practices required to protect themselves and their clients.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this unit, learners will:

• Understand the causes, transmission and effects of COVID-19
• Understand social responsibility for the complementary therapy and sports massage sectors in relation to COVID-19
• Understand the controls necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19
• Understand the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Hand Hygiene and Personal Hygiene in the prevention of COVID-19
• Understand potential hazards and risks and the workplace procedures necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the complementary therapy/sports massage environment
• Understand decontamination and waste management processes relevant to complementary therapies and sports massage

Course Overview

Professional, iTEC accredited massage qualifications

Learn holistic swedish massage underpinned by anatomy and physiology within the highest industry standards

Train from a complete beginner to a professional massage therapist with an internationally recognised iTEC qualification, enabling you to work in the following settings:

•     In your own private practice, as a self-employed practitioner.
•     In a salon, clinic, health club, yaught, spa or hotel.
•     In the NHS, hospice or other healthcare setting.

Strive for excellence, learning to truly hold a space for your client, energising all systems to stimulate the wellbeing of their individual needs, and reacting to the unique requirements of each person.

You will learn full body massage techniques and how to construct routines and treatment plans from consultation through to aftercare of clients. Become a professional and dynamic therapist with a thorough understanding of the body and it’s systems. 

Ideal for anyone looking to begin a new career or have a new income stream alongside an existing career. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be a professional massage therapist and will be able to gain insurance to practice upon the general public and gain membership of professional associations.

Additionally, once qualified, you will be able to continue your journey as a therapist adding to your skill base with CPD (Continued Professional Development) short courses. We offer a host of 1 and 2 day courses such as pregnancy massage, hot stone therapy and trigger point therapy, to enhance your treatments and build a truly unique business that excites you and allows you to explore this incredible industry.

What's included in the course:

• Level 3 Anatomy & Physiology online 'e-learning' via interactive presentations, videos, written materials and quizzes (or select to study in the classroom on additional contact days)
• 5 days classroom tuition - learning the practical hand skills and consultation process required to be a therapist
• ITEC Level 2 Award in Infection Prevention for complementary and sports massage therapists online 'e-learning' via interactive presentations
• One-to-one video calls with your tutor on request
• Weekly access to 'Thursday Evenings' - a space to come and practice, learn from others and be a part of a community of therapists
• Small class groups (8-10 max) providing maximum support for each student
• ITEC Registration & final exam fees are all included in the course cost
• Access to our private Facebook group with local job opportunities and equipment listings
• Free Business Building workshops

For more detail please click on the course syllabus tab.

Choosing how and when to study:

You can select how you'd like to study the Anatomy & Physiology unit of your course below (this defaults to e-learning) but you can change this to classroom learning and select your preferred dates for attendance. Most have a correlating block of dates, for example you can study the A&P for 5 days, followed by the massage practical for 5 days over a 2 week period, or for the Saturdays, study for 5 Saturdays learning A&P, running onto the massage practical course for a following 5 Saturdays.

If you select to study the A&P via e-learning, you will have access immediately to the online home study that you can work through at your own pace. This will be delivered to you via videos, interactive presentations, written materials and quizzes.

You will then attend the college for 5 days to review the theory and learn the practical application of massage. Your 5 days classroom attendance can be selected from the date options below. Take a look at the Assessment Criteria tab for more information on coursework and examination requirements.

This qualification also includes the ITEC Level 2 Award in Infection Prevention for complementary and sports massage therapists which is now a pre-requisite for all ITEC courses. Details of the unit can be found on the course syllabus tab.

Assessment Criteria

You will be required to complete a number of treatments/case studies and assignments at home after/during your course and supply the evidences of these. You will then return to the Academy to sit your final exams usually 3-4 months after your course contact days. 

We recommend around 5-10 hours of home study a week to complete your case studies, theory study and assignments.

Folder work/ Evidences

After your contact days, you will complete: 

• 16 x Case studies (Treatment Evidences: 8 people x 2 times )
• Plus 20 massage treatments logged in consultation forms
• 2 x Assignments (Unit iUCT34 & iUCT21)

Examinations

You will then return to the Academy to sit your exams (usually 3-4 months after your course):

• "Mock" Practical Exam (usually 2-3 weeks before the “real” practical exam. This is to allow you a practice run, and for your tutor to give you feedback on areas to work on.)
• Practical Exam, externally invigilated by ITEC
• A&P Theory Paper – 50 multiple choice questions
• Multiple choice question paper (sat remotely) on Infection Prevention (COVID-19) for complementary therapies and sports massage

Entry Requirements

No Previous Experience Needed

Already have an Anatomy and Physiology qualification or completed the same assignments on another qualification? 

If a student already holds a recognisable qualification in Anatomy & Physiology, we may potentially be able to RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) for the A&P Unit.  We may also be able to RPL for the assignments if they have been completed as part of another Level 3 RQF qualification. A previous qualification will only be considered for RPL if it meets the following criterias:

• It must be a regulated qualification
• Qualifications must be less than 3 years old
•  A 100% mapping is required (the A+P/ assignment syllabus must match like for like to that of the ITEC syllabus).
• Please note, you will only be able to receive a “Pass” mark if part of the course is RPL’d (no Merit or Distinction will be rewarded)

There is an official RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) process that we would begin with ITEC once you have enrolled onto a course. ITEC charge us for this service, and we would need to pass this onto the student. The fee is £35+vat.

Please get in contact to begin the RPL process or check if your qualification is eligible.

Alternatively, you can opt to "self-study" the A&P unit and just sit the exam element with us.

Books for Study

An Introductory Guide to Anatomy and Physiology-5th Edition 

(If selecting to study A&P via e-learning, this book will be included in your course fees so you need only purchase if choosing to study A&P in the classroom)

ISBN:978-1903348345

An Introductory Guide to Business                            

This book is very useful in helping to write the business assignment, although we appreciate there are lots of resources online that students use, this breaks down the process really well.

ISBN:978-1903348222

Why Train with Us

Here at the Academy, we are passionate about delivering quality training in Complementary Therapies to ensure each student gains a professional qualification of the highest level. We believe the combination of expertly trained, passionate tutors,  quality assured certification, and our on-going support for students, helps grow our students into highly successful therapists.

What set's us apart from the rest...?

• iTEC Accredited 
• Guaranteed small group tuition (max 10 per 1 tutor) for maximum individual support
• Passionate, experienced tutors committed to the highest standards in the industry
• Free Thursday evening support - available throughout your training and when you are qualified
• A fun, friendly environment to study and meet like minded people
• All our courses are eligible to apply for an NUS Extra card, giving you savings on lots of retailers.
• We continue to support you as you make your way into the industry as a qualified therapist, with free talks on setting up a business, Facebook groups with job opportunities and continued contact with your Tutor

About Your Tutor(s)

Annette Stoker

Holistic Tutor

I have been involved with the Complementary Therapies Industry since 2004 and have been teaching since 2008. I have a teaching degree in post compulsory education (Cert Ed) and am ITEC qualified in all the subjects I teach. Having worked in prestigious spas and run my own practice, I am confident that as a passionate and committed member of the team I can inspire, enthuse and provide you with the skills and knowledge to become a highly sought after therapist in your chosen field.

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Yvonne Lockhart

Holistic Tutor

After completing diplomas in Massage Therapy, Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Indian Head Massage in 1999, I spent 5 years in a managerial role working on board Carnival Cruise Lines and then as a spa trainer at a 5 star hotel in the Cotswolds. I now run my own successful practise dedicated to using only organic products and treatments and since taking up teaching in 2007, it has become my passion to give therapists the proper tools to excel in the field of holistic therapy.

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Testimonials

Cotswold Academy has a wonderful family feel, everyone is polite and very helpful. I loved every part of my course. Annette is a lovely tutor, happy and helpful and a brilliant teacher.

Hannah C | ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Massage | July 2021

The course has been great! I have really enjoyed my days attending the course, which has been very well put together and designed. The lessons flow smoothly and are really enjoyable. I didn’t attend the theory mornings and actually felt as though I’d missed out as everyone was always so chirpy at lunchtime when I turned up!

The venue is absolutely lovely and very well equipped. We always had everything we needed and it was easy to ‘feel at home’ and comfortable in the environment. You have really created a special place there and I’ll certainly come back for CPD if all goes well in December!

I’ve saved the best to last - Yvonne! Yvonne is an amazing teacher. She is kind, lovely and professional throughout. She has the wonderful ability to provide feedback, both positive and negative in a sensitive and friendly manner which makes it very easy to learn! She is clearly very passionate about the subject which combined with her evident experience and in-depth knowledge of Massage theory (practice and theory) she is a joy to learn from. Yvonne really has made the whole experience truly fantastic and I would highly recommend the Cotswold Academy and Yvonne as a tutor to anyone! 

Thank you so much for providing this course and keep doing what you do! 

— Andreia (Andi) Ferreira - Massage Diploma | September 2018

Just wanted to say a massive thank you again for the two weeks on my course. I absolutely loved every minute and despite being convinced not a word of the science had stuck in my head except scaphoid and levitar, I sound like I know what I’m talking about ha!

— Naomi Spicer - Massage Diploma | July 2018

Many thanks for all your help, advice and support today and throughout the course. I have loved learning and feel very lucky to have found a craft that gives me as much pleasure as the client.

I will see you again, just want to keep on learning, and the academy is such a wonderful environment with caring, happy, kind and lovely people.

Thank you again and all the very best.

— Stephanie Davis - Massage Diploma | February 2018

Thank you Annette for all the brilliant teaching and support over the last few months! Was it only November when we started?!

Really happy to have passed today - couldn’t have done it without you lovely lot making me laugh, answering my (constant) questions and generally being so totally organised!!

Phew, now to start massaging and learning lots more...

Really glad to have done the course, achieved a pass and really really glad that I studied at the Cotswold Academy.

— Helen Grimwade - Massage Diploma | February 2018

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