whats the difference between an nvq & a diploma

[Beauty Box]

Hi, I was just wondering what the difference is between a level 2 Nvq in Beauty therapy and a Level 2 Diploma in beauty therapy? All the jobs I have seen advertised have asked for Nvq qualifications! Are Nvq's better than Diploma's and is it easier to get employment with an nvq? Thanks x

 

[Matthew Taylor]

Hi, I was just wondering what the difference is between a level 2 Nvq in Beauty therapy and a Level 2 Diploma in beauty therapy? All the jobs I have seen advertised have asked for Nvq qualifications! Are Nvq's better than Diploma's and is it easier to get employment with an nvq? Thanks x

The Diploma is the new equivalent of the NVQ.
NVQ's are being phased out with the new education standards.
From what one of my past tutors told me the Diploma is slightly higher graded that the NVQ (but dont take that as gospel) and I believe that you can recieve Pass, Merit or Distinction!

Personally I think a Diploma sounds much better than NVQ!

Hope that helps.

 

[tiggerlady]

I have a Diploma in Complementary Therapy, gained last year, and unfortunately there was just pass or 'not ready to practice' (!) We all passed, but some got much higher marks in each exam than others, but it was still a pass, and some put more effort into their case studies, and was still only a pass, along with those who just did the minimum required..:evil:
Hopefully as the system goes along they may tweek it a little to take such things into account! I believe what Matthew says is correct as we were told that although its technically a level 3, the tutor was of the opinion that it was 3 1/2 ish!

 

[Baggybear]

Sorry I dont want to hijack the thread but I gained diplomas when I did my training but they are all from short courses - eg: 1 day for waxing or 3 days for L&P.

Is a diploma gained on a short course the same level qualification as the diploma you talk about above?

 

[tiggerlady]

No disrespect, Baggybear, but I shouldnt think so..we had to do a minimum of 6 case studies with 6/8 treatments in each therapy plus other treatment hours to make it up to over 100 hours of reflexology, 60 hours of massage and aromatherapy (each!) plus anatomy and physiology and exams in each of these, plus theory/classsroom time... full time course for one year..and you had to have a massage qual already to be accepted on to it. Jolly hard work it was too, but fun , and I loved it! Have since done hot stones..love that too!

 

[Baggybear]

No disrespect, Baggybear, but I shouldnt think so..we had to do a minimum of 6 case studies with 6/8 treatments in each therapy plus other treatment hours to make it up to over 100 hours of reflexology, 60 hours of massage and aromatherapy (each!) plus anatomy and physiology and exams in each of these, plus theory/classsroom time... full time course for one year..and you had to have a massage qual already to be accepted on to it. Jolly hard work it was too, but fun , and I loved it! Have since done hot stones..love that too!

Not the best that my qualification and loads of other short course holders qualification is called the same as yours then is it - a diploma I mean.

If I say I have a diploma in swedish massage most people - even me - wouldnt know the difference between your diploma and mine.

I asked as I didnt think mine would be the same level as yours but it's called the same.

So from an employers point of view if looking at a CV they see Diploma in massage and wouldn't necesarily know the difference.

The names of qualifications should be sorted out so that it is clear what level you've learnt at.

You should be able to know where on the sliding scale your qualification fits but thats not the case and the fact there are different types of diploma is worse as they are so far apart in level terms but called the same - wrong in my oppinion.

 

[tiggerlady]

Yup, thats a very good point..as Im mobile/self employed it probs wouldnt make that much difference, but if I was looking for a job in a salon, it certailnly is something to think about! I suppose the answer for me would be to put on the cv 'VCTC diploma' and possibly the employer might ask to see certificates? At least having any qualification shows an interest in self improvement and ongoing learning desire fropm an employers perspective!

 

[Martin Duffy]

When I trained (mid 90's) nobody did the GNVQ's, the college was focussed on the BTEC national and higher national diplomas, of which I did both. The difference then was very marked. The diplomas were 5 days a week, 9 to 6.00 and you covered a diverse number of topics (law, nutrition, dermatology, counselling skills, cosmetic chemistry etc) taught by specialist teachers indifferent departments. The GNVQ's were a few hours a week and all taught by beauty lecturers to a very superficial level. In time the college seemed to increase the number of GNVQ's, which i suspect was due to the sheer number of courses they could run, and thus the number of students they could churn out, a year in comparison to the BTEC courses - bums on seats equalling money!

Not sure about the new style diplomas though.

 

[xxlouiseshanexx]

My college has said to me that the NVQs are getting replaced by the VRQ qualification.

Louise x

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

Not the best that my qualification and loads of other short course holders qualification is called the same as yours then is it - a diploma I mean.

If I say I have a diploma in swedish massage most people - even me - wouldnt know the difference between your diploma and mine.

I asked as I didnt think mine would be the same level as yours but it's called the same.

So from an employers point of view if looking at a CV they see Diploma in massage and wouldn't necesarily know the difference.

The names of qualifications should be sorted out so that it is clear what level you've learnt at.

You should be able to know where on the sliding scale your qualification fits but thats not the case and the fact there are different types of diploma is worse as they are so far apart in level terms but called the same - wrong in my oppinion.

Hi Baggybear, like you, my certificate for passing my initial 5 day gel training with Pronails had 'Diploma' printed across the top. Great training and I thoroughly enjoyed, but I don't agree that it is a 'Diploma' in the true sense of the word, because if the training had been undertaken in Belgium (where Pronails originates from), it took several weeks to complete... and even then, I question the use of 'diploma'.

I see myself as having a certificate of having trained with Pronails under the UK distributer. A diploma is awarded after the successful completion of a period of study through the awarding body, involving assignments, case studies, practical work and examinations. A set minimum number of hours is also required.

Personally speaking, I would think that any self respecting employer would check and follow up any document presented by a prospective employee, which had 'Diploma' on it. There most definitely is a difference between 1 or 3 or 5 days of training and a year involving assignments and exams which extensively cover anatomy/physiology; hygiene, health & safety, product chemistry, customer service, the law etc... Clients might not know the difference, but employers should.

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

Hi, I was just wondering what the difference is between a level 2 Nvq in Beauty therapy and a Level 2 Diploma in beauty therapy? All the jobs I have seen advertised have asked for Nvq qualifications! Are Nvq's better than Diploma's and is it easier to get employment with an nvq? Thanks x

NVQ qualifications are nationally recognised and require completing course work, practicals and written modules followed by assessments. Diplomas require case studys/assignments and examinations and can be internationally recognized.

Tutors I have spoken to, have all admitted that when faced with a line up of potential employees, they would usually initially offer interviews to diploma candidates before NVQ candidates.

Please don't misunderstand me, as I am not knocking NVQ's, I am just trying to give and answer to the question about NVQ versus Diploma based on my understanding. The advertizing you are seeing asking for NVQ is probably referring to a minimum requirement although diplomas would be welcome, provided they are truely recognized diplomas.

 

[vitality]

My nvq3 had exams and case-studies (a hell of a lot). I don't mean to knock btec students but from my experience the students at the end of the course were no where near practically competent, (people refusing to do French polish because they don't know how to do it etc.)and I haven't heard of any of them getting a job where as the majority of my class mates have.

I then went on to do my HND which is level 5 and has mostly theory taught by specialists (Law, Customer Care,Biochemistry, Microbiology, Diet and Nutrition etc.) I think it is great learning as much theory as possible but there's no point in being great at talking about monomers and polymers, covalent bonding etc. if you can't paint a set of nails or are not competent in waxing for example.

It could be easier to get a job but the hardest part in the job world is keeping a job. Some people talk the talk but can't walk the walk.

 

[Beauty Box]

Thanks for all the replies. All the colleges that i looked into were offering Diplomas rather than Nvq's so maybe you are right that Diplomas are now favoured over Nvq's.
It's all very confusing Nvq's, Vrq's, Vtct, C&G, Diploma's etc etc x