ITEC Diploma in Aromatherapy for the Complementary Therapist

Course Structure

For beginners with no previous experience or qualifications:

This course programme will be delivered as a blended learning course. This means that it is delivered as a combination of classroom-based education and live and interactive online sessions.

The full 3-step programme will be delivered as follows: –

Massage – 6 x classroom days

Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology – 10 x 3-hour A&P sessions, online, on a Wednesday evening from 6pm-9pm.

Aromatherapy – 5 x in class sessions and 5 x online sessions.

Business studies and Complementary health research – you will need to complete two additional assignments for your final portfolio, which we assess and feed back to you on.

 Additional information – there is also a further 2 days, consisting of the following:

• One full day at Kew Gardens, where you will have the opportunity to study an introduction to botany, taxonomy, plant families and identification of plant species.
• Essential oil chemistry consisting of additional study to include functional groups and principles of organic chemistry.

Finally, a separate exam day, which will include an A&P multiple choice question paper (MCQP) and practical exams (approx. 2 hours in total) assessed by a visiting examiner from ITEC/VTCT.

Learners with an existing massage qualification

You will study only unit iUCT40 (see below) under the following structure: –

• 10 blended learning days
• Visit to Kew Gardens
• Chemistry Day.

Examination – practical examination (1 hour) plus case studies.

How to study Aromatherapy

For beginners completing the whole programme, you will study the following units: –

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

You will study the 12 systems of the human body, to underpin the practical and theoretical training. This unit will be delivered online, as 10 x live zoom sessions.

• Cell Structure, Tissue and Skin Cellular Composition
• Muscular and Skeletal Systems
• Cardiovascular – Heart and Blood Circulation
• Lymphatic System – Lymph glands and production of Tissue Fluid
• Neurological System – Brain and Nervous System
• Endocrine System – Hormonal producing organs and role of hormones in the human body
• Respiratory System – Lungs and air pathways
• Digestive System
• Genito-Urinary System – Kidneys and water metabolism
• Reproductive System

Access to the live sessions will be recorded and available for learners, whilst they are enrolled on to the full aromatherapy programme.

Examination process – Multiple choice theory test of 50 questions in 55 minutes, taken on the same exam day as your practical aromatherapy exam.

Unit iUCT21 – Principles and Practice of Complementary Therapies
Assignment based learning at home, which requires the student to research four other complementary therapies in the form of four written reports – these will be submitted and marked internally by the school.

Unit iUCT34 – Business Practice for Complementary Therapies
Learners will need to attend our Business Studies Day, in class.

For this unit students will write their own business plan in relation to a holistic business – this unit will be internally marked and assessed by the school.

Unit iUCT24 – Provide Body Massage for Complementary Therapies

Learning outcomes for this unit include:

• How to prepare for a body massage treatment, in a safe, comfortable work area, in line with current legislation & working practice requirements
• Through effective client consultation, learn how to respond to any presenting contra-indications and provide a safe, appropriate and comfortable massage treatment as appropriate for the individual client.
• The identification of important body surface landmarks, such as muscles and bones
• The principles of Holistic/Therapeutic Body Massage and its psychological effects and benefits to the human mind
• Guidance on how to develop a massage routine for each individual client
• Development of a holistic approach – treating the ‘mind, body and spirit’
• The correct application of massage techniques and use of body posture/mechanics by the therapist, in order to prevent mechanical injuries
• The benefits of massage on a physical level
• Identify lifelong learning opportunities to plan for self-development
• Learners will understand how to evaluate contraindications or cautions that may restrict or prevent treatment, deliver an effective massage treatment in a safe, hygienic and professional manner.

Learners will be expected to undertake case studies as part of the course and provide evidence of these treatments on case study forms – the majority of this work is expected to be completed by the student at home; however, some of this work will be carried out during the class time as well.
This unit is externally examined by a visiting ITEC examiner and will be 45 minutes long.

iUCT40: Provide Aromatherapy for Complementary Therapies

How to confidently perform a full Aromatherapy treatment, incorporating classical Massage and Aromatherapy techniques.

In addition to this, you will gain confidence by understanding: –

• Taxonomy (categorisation of essential oils)
• Nomenclature (names assigned to essential oils)
• Chemical constituents of essential oils and their therapeutic actions
• Origins and uses of 42 of essential oils
• Synergy and blending
• Methods of application
• Safety data for over 60 essential oils.

With this knowledge, you will confidently blend essential oils appropriately, and perform a beautiful Aromatherapy treatment. Where necessary, you will be able to adapt techniques correctly and safely to meet the individual needs of your clients.

You will also learn other methods of essential oil application, such as inhalations and compresses, which may be more appropriate for some clients.

A visiting examiner from ITEC will assess your skills and techniques during a 60-minute practical exam – the exam days are prescheduled (see course dates)

Learners will be expected to undertake case studies as part of this unit and provide evidence of these treatments on case study forms – the majority of this work is expected to be completed by the student at home; however, some of this work will be carried out during the class time as well.

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Additional information for those with an existing qualification in massage (Level 3 or above)

Aromatherapy Courses for Massage Therapists:

• You will normally study the above Aromatherapy unit only.
• Please note there is one exception to this – you may need to retake your A&P exam, if your current qualification (at the time of exam) is more than three years old. This usually means that you would be required to retake the A&P paper again, to refresh your knowledge.
• We are able to provide various resources to help with revision in the form of mock exam papers, to assess the retention of your knowledge.
• For a small fee, we are able to assist with some revision sessions, should they be required. Please call to discuss this if you think you fit this category.

Case Studies

Learners will be expected to undertake case studies as part of the course and provide evidence of these treatments on case study forms – the majority of this work is expected to be completed by the student at home; however, some of this work will be carried out during the class time as well.

Course Fees

Level 3 Diploma in Aromatherapy for the Complementary Therapist

Please note that this course is for therapists who possess a current, valid UK regulated massage qualification at Level 3 or above – please call us to discuss your previous qualifications, as we may need to see your previous certificates/qualifications.

For learners who do not have a previous qualification and are beginners, we have an additional flexible programme that will need to be taken in conjunction with this course – this includes massage and anatomy, physiology and pathology. Please call us to discuss on 0203 544 6544 if this is applicable to discuss dates and fees.

For this course only, a deposit of £194.00 will secure your place.

The full course fee for the ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Aromatherapy is £1286.00

£192.00 x 6 months

Included in the costs are: –

• An additional Aromatherapy Chemistry Study Day
• A study day at Kew Gardens to discover plant life and species relevant to Aromatherapy Essential Oils.
• Certification from ITEC/VTCT.
• Exclusive School of Natural Therapies course manual and notes.
• Guided learning and tutor support throughout.
• Guidance and advice, with discount for choosing and purchasing a quality massage couch and Aromatherapy Oils, which can be ordered in advance at discounted student rates.
• A wide selection of discounted relevant massage, anatomy, and other relevant books to assist your studies with us.
• A friendly and relaxed learning environment throughout.

The course is priced as follows: –

• Course Fee £ 1286.00
• Initial deposit £194.00
• The remaining balance of £1092.00 can be settled, prior to the course start date.
• Alternatively, there is an option to spread the balance over 6 months, during the course, as follows: –

£192.00 x 6 months, if spreading the cost

An instalment fee of 5% applies for spreading the cost

Full course cost if spreading the payments will be £1346.00

For those who need to study Massage, alongside Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology (AP&P), we offer a full programme, which incorporates the above unit as well – all units can be studied together with this option. Please call us to discuss this if it is applicable, on: – 0203 544 6544.

Exam Details

Aromatherapy Unit – this practical unit will be externally assessed by a visiting ITEC examiner on the scheduled exam day and will last for one hour approximately.

Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology Unit (if required) – this will be externally assessed by a 50-question multiple choice paper (MCQP) on the same day as the practical exam

Written assignments and case studies (see below) will be internally marked and will be presented to the examiner on exam day, as part of your course portfolio.

Additional work will also be required for this course, as follows:

• Evidence of treatment case studies for 6 clients each treated 6 times plus 15 additional treatments and 9 methods of application – these must be completed away from the classroom as home study.
• Two written assignments must be completed as homework. This will be internally marked by our tutors and verified by an ITEC examiner.
• Final total marks are calculated and graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction.

FAQs

I have some previous massage experience and/or a valid massage/bodywork qualification – will this count towards the Aromatherapy qualification?
Yes, the course is aimed at two groups of learners: –

• Those who already hold a UK recognised qualification in massage/bodywork and want to extend their knowledge into Aromatherapy.
• Those who have no previous experience and want to move into the field of Aromatherapy as a beginner.

Those who have prior training and experience and are looking to advance their massage skills to provide aromatherapy treatments can study the aromatherapy unit only.

For those without massage experience, you will need to enrol for the full 3-step programme:

1. Massage practical – leading to a massage exam (Diploma in Massage) 6-day course. 
2. You will need to enrol on our Certificate in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology for the Complementary Therapist, live online course – see course structure tab. There may be exceptions to this if you have already studied Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology previously – see below.
3. Diploma in Aromatherapy Unit which you will study alongside the course above. 

Will I have to study Anatomy & Physiology again, if I have already studied it and obtained a qualification?
No, not necessarily. If you already have an existing UK recognised qualification in massage, or a holistic therapy, we may be able to exempt you from further study. There are however, three criteria which must be met:

• The A&P qualification must be part of a massage qualification; UK recognised and listed on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF or QCF). Examples of such are ITEC, VTCT, City & Guilds. Please check with us if unsure, by email or phone call
• It should be Level 3 or above.
• The qualification must have been achieved within the past three years. For older qualifications, prior knowledge will be taken into account, but you will need to re-sit an A&P exam.
• The school’s own A&P exam notes will be made available to students enrolling on this course.
• Individual A&P system test papers and access to mock exam A&P papers with answers will also be supplied for revision to help achieve the above.

Do I need to do any pre-reading or preparation before the course starts?
You can take advantage of our full set of comprehensive Anatomy and Physiology notes and A&P system test papers and access to mock exam A&P papers with answers if required. We will also recommend some prior reading material, which will help you make a head start with your forthcoming studies.

What will I need to bring to the course?
2 bath towels for personal use. You will provided with a course manual, comprehensive course notes throughout the course. Coloured pencils and general writing materials will be needed for the anatomy class, although we do provide an A4 notebook. Due to current COVID-19 regulations, you may be required to supply further small items personally – full details will be outlined on booking.

Essential oils to work with

Case study work at home
In order to blend your oils at home we would recommend a small bowl, funnel, measuring jug and range of bottles. You may also like to consider a carry case for your oils. We will discuss these on the first day of the course. 

Will I need to buy my own couch?
You will undoubtedly need your own couch for practise at home and for case study treatments, if you don’t already possess one. We will be able to advise you before you purchase one and we have an exclusive deal with a well-respected massage couch supplier, who is able to offer discounts and very good deals for students. We will provide couches during class time of course.

How much study time at home will be needed?
You will need to allocate time for assignment work. You will also need to set time aside for case study work/home treatments as the course progresses.

Will there be lots of essay writing?
The ITEC Level 3 anatomy exam is multiple choice only. The other units involve some research and writing, but the tutor will guide you as to the style of presentation. Generally, bullet point presentation is passable if the information is thorough, clear and accurate.

What if English is not my first language, or if I haven’t studied for a long time?
We would expect anyone applying to possess a reasonable command of English language, both written and oral. However, there are many ways of presenting work, and we can advise what is best for the individual in terms of how they present their work, if they find they are struggling with their written skills.

I have dyslexia
We can assist those who struggle with English, don’t have English as their first language, or have dyslexia – see question above.

Is there an age limit?
We prefer students to be at least 21 years of age in order to undertake this course. Younger students may apply by contacting us and acceptance on this programme is subject to telephone interview first.

Do I have to provide my own ‘clients’ to practise on for coursework?
Yes, you will need to find people to do case studies on in your own time – friends, family and work colleagues are usually very willing to receive a free massage session!!

Can I leave my belongings at the venue between sessions?
Students cannot leave belongings at the venue as there is very limited storage available.

Are the massage classes single sex?
The massage classes include both male and female students. You will need to advise us in advance if you have an objection to that and we will advise you if this course is suitable.

Do I need to be able to both give and receive massage?
Yes, it is a learning environment whereby we practise on each other. You also need to develop a feel of what different therapists’ treatments feel like in order to learn how to improve your own techniques. You need to be fit and well enough to both give and receive treatment. Contact us if you have any concerns regarding this.

Course Tutor

Melanie Dean