Choosing the right massage therapy training course is a crucial step toward becoming a skilled and qualified massage therapist. There are various factors to consider to ensure you select a course that suits your needs and career goals. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the key steps to make an informed decision.
1. Define Your Goals:
- Determine your specific career objectives. Are you interested in deep tissue massage, holistic massage, sports massage, or another modality?
- Consider whether you want to work independently, in a spa, home clinic or healthcare setting.
2. Accreditation and Licensing:
- Ensure the course is accredited by a recognized body for massage education. This accreditation ensures the course meets certain quality standards. In the UK, Ofqual is the regulator of qualifications, examinations and assessments in England and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland. The RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) is a new way of recognising skills and qualifications. It does this by awarding credit for units (small steps of learning) and enables learners to gain qualifications at their own pace along flexible routes.Qualifications that use the RQF rules are made up of units. This provides flexible ways to get a qualification. Each unit has a credit value which tells you how many credits are awarded when a unit is completed. The credit value also gives an indication of how long it will normally take you to prepare for a unit or qualification. One credit will usually take you 10 hours of learning. Units build up to qualifications.
There are three different types of qualification in the RQF: Award, Certificate and Diploma. The title of a qualification will tell you its size and level. If a qualification includes a unit that you have already been awarded, you can use the unit you have already taken towards that qualification. Units awarded by different awarding organisations can be combined to build up qualifications.
- Our Level 3 Diploma in Massage is an Ofqual recognised qualification. We teach this course at our Brighton and Bath venues.
3. Research Schools and Programs:
- Look for massage colleges in your area or in locations you’re willing to travel or relocate to. You can start by searching online or asking for recommendations from experienced therapists.
- Evaluate factors like course length, cost, timetable etc.
4. Visit Colleges and Attend Information Sessions:
- Whenever possible, visit the colleges you are interested in, to get a feel for the venue, meet the tutors and observe their facilities.
- Arrange a one to one with the course tutor, allowing you to ask questions and meet the tutor before committing to the course.
- Attend an introductory massage workshop to learn basic techniques, meet the tutor and see the venue.
5. Curriculum and Specialization:
- Review the curriculum of each course. Ensure it covers the topics and techniques relevant to your chosen specialisation.
- Check if the course offers modules in anatomy, physiology, pathology, ethics and business practices in addition to massage techniques. Our Massage Diploma qualification fully covers all these units.
6. Tutor Qualifications:
- Investigate the qualifications and experience of the tutors. Knowledgeable and experienced tutors can significantly enhance your learning experience. Our College Principal, Michael Gibbons, has been practising massage since 1991 and is one of the most experienced practitioners in the industry.
7. Student-to-Tutor Ratio:
- Smaller class sizes often provide more personalized attention and a better learning experience. Ask about the student-to-tutor ratio. We have an excellent student to tutor ratio and frequently have a second tutor for practical sessions.
8. Clinical Practice and Hands-on Training:
- Practical experience is essential in massage therapy. Find out how much hands-on training the course offers.
9. Further Training once Qualified:
- Enquire about what further training is available once you have qualified as a professional massage therapist. We offer ongoing support to all our students with one-day accredited workshops or longer post-graduate Diploma training, for example, in Sports Massage.
10. Previous Success and Reviews: – Look for testimonials and reviews from past students of the college to gauge their satisfaction with the courses and further success in the field. We have many 5* Google reviews. Check them out here.
11. Time and Commitment: – Assess the time commitment required for the course, including class hours, practical hours, and homework. Ensure it aligns with your other responsibilities.
12. Costs and Financing: – Compare tuition costs and fees between massage schools. Factor in the cost of textbooks, supplies, and any additional expenses. Consider your budget and research financing options if necessary. Not all massage courses are the same. The courses that tend to look more expensive might have tutors with more experience, better student to tutor ratios and offer a more well-recognised and therefore transferable qualification. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
13. Personal Fit: – Trust your instincts and consider the overall “feel” of the school. It should be a place where you feel comfortable and supported.
14. Visit Clinics or Spas: – Visit local spas or clinics where massage therapists work. Speak with professionals to gain insights into the industry and network.
15. Trust Your Instincts: – Ultimately, trust your intuition when making a decision. Choose the course that aligns best with your goals, values, and preferences.
By carefully considering these factors, you can select the massage therapy training course that is the best fit for your career aspirations and educational needs. Remember that becoming a skilled massage therapist requires dedication, practice, and ongoing learning, so choose a course that sets you on the right path to success and enjoy the journey!
Training with the College of Classical Massage:
Our next comprehensive massage training courses run as follows:
- 23rd September in Brighton VTCT/ITEC Level 3 Professional Diploma in Massage
- 14th October in Bath VTCT/ITEC Level 3 Professional Diploma in Massage
If you would like to attend a one day Introduction to Massage Workshop to get a feel for the venue, meet the tutor and learn some basic massage techniques then join us on Sunday 10th September in Brighton, spaces currently available. Discounts are available if you come along with a friend, and if you sign up to the ITEC Massage course in the same calendar year you will receive a discount on the course fees.
Do check out our YouTube channel. We have plenty of massage videos to inspire you with new techniques and ideas!