LEARNING how to be a beauty therapist is not just about having a go at each other's make-up.

Though practising this art forms a vital part of the course, students at Worcester College of Technology's Centre for Art and Design are also clued up on anatomy and biology.

There are currently around 350 students full and part-time at the Barbourne Road campus. Many are studying for the NVQ Level 2 in beauty therapy at the college's Foundation Centre.

This tends to lead to further study at NVQ Level 3 or hairdressing.

Further courses in Indian head massage and aromatherapy are also open to students.

Sara Sweeney is the Foundation Centre manager. She explained the set-up to me before I took on the role of client to the hairdressing and beauty therapy students.

The college's facility is run as a professional salon and even looks the part.

In the reception area are glossy magazines and comfy chairs and the sound of busy therapists hard at work reverberates around.

"We're trying to raise the profile and make it a centre of excellence," said Ms Sweeney.

"All the products they would use in health farms and on cruise liners we use here.

"The idea is that they work in new facilities so that they're not intimidated by surroundings or products when they go for interviews or find a new job.

"We've got lots of past students who are now working in top health farms, on liners, or in local salons."

If you would like to pamper yourself with a treatment then try out the salon for competitive pricing.

NVQ Level 2 students can give manicures, pedicures and facial treatments from their first term. NVQ Level 3 students go on to study the face and body, including electrotherapy, electrolysis and aromatherapy.

"Towards the end of the term they still practice on each other, or on paying clients, when they're at a stage that they're confident," said Ms Sweeney.

"They could lie on couches all day long but they have to work on clients and work within commercial times. At the end of the course they have to be able to go into a salon and do a manicure in the same time as someone with experience.

"It can be quite pressurised.

"When I was at college we probably did four or five clients over three years. They're more likely to do 50 clients in the first year.

"We're always after clients for every treatment possible. Everything they study they have to do on clients."

And there is study involved. While they may look like they are having a good time plucking eyebrows and filing nails there is more to the course than may meet the eye.

They sit through anatomy lessons and have to complete assignments and case studies throughout their year.

"They have to have essential knowledge and understanding of each of the treatments," said Ms Sweeney.

"They complete an assignment on nail disorders, diseases and anatomy. They have to know if a client should see a doctor if they spot something during a manicure.

"A lot of that is often a shock because they think that they'll just be doing manicures rather than sitting in lessons.

"On the first day we do a morning of induction and then a little bit of practical, even if it's just a hand or arm massage. They go away knowing something."

Sixteen-year-old Caroline Stephen had the daunting task of cutting my hair. She has only been at the college for one term, yet that didn't show.

Soon my hair was looking neat and tidy - not a hairband in sight to keep it out of view.

"I've always wanted to be a hairdresser," said Caroline as she dried my hair.

"I like the idea of giving people confidence just by changing one thing about them.

"It's nice to be around people who are interested in the same thing. There's a lot more to hairdressing than finding out about clients' holidays."

When Caroline finishes her NVQ 2 in hairdressing she hopes to start the beauty therapy course offered in the salon where Holly Richardson and Jane Court pampered me further.

Between them they transformed me from looking like my usual tired self to someone with a bit of glamour. Before too long my nails were tidied up with a soothing manicure and eyelashes tinted a shade of brown.

Holly also worked her magic with the make-up and left me unable to recognise myself.

"Everyone says this is a course for stupid people, but there's a lot of biology involved and it's complicated," said Holly, wielding the mirror as I admired the results.

The salon is open throughout the college term. It shuts tomorrow for Christmas and reopens on Monday, January 6, so get in quick for last minute treatments.

For further information on the treatments offered by the salon, call 01905 725648.