The Studio Education

ULTIMATE

Nail Tech

QUALIFICATION

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Is this you?

Does this sound familiar?

You've spent years in jobs that pay the bills, but don't really inspire you.

You've wondered if there could be more for you, but somewhere along the way you've convinced yourself that maybe you're just not meant for anything different.

You love doing your own nails.

You've watched the tutorials, practised on yourself and wondered what it would be like to learn properly. But you've been told it's “just a hobby” — not a real career.

Maybe you've got the “good job”.

The one you're supposed to be grateful for. But you still find yourself thinking, “Is this really what I want to do forever?”

Maybe you're a mum who wants something that's yours, too.

Something you can build around your family, rather than constantly fitting your life around work.

Or maybe you've spent years putting everyone else first.

And for the first time in a long time, you're starting to wonder what you want.

And maybe, underneath all of it, there's that little voice asking…

“Could I actually do this?”

The answer is, Yes. And you don't need any previous experience to start.

Our most popular option

Everything you need to become a nail technician.

Three separate in-academy training days. One complete beginner qualification.

Covering Gel Polish, Builder Gel & E-file

We created the Ultimate Nail Tech Qualification because we wanted to give beginners more than a quick introduction to nails. We want you to understand what you're doing, why you're doing it and feel confident putting it into practice.

You'll train with us across three separate days, with time in between to practise, ask questions and build your confidence.

You're not just leaving with a certificate. You're starting a career.

What you'll learn

Three courses. A whole lot more than three skills.

We don't want you to leave knowing how to copy a set of steps. We want you to understand what you're doing, why you're doing it and what to do when things don't go to plan.

01

Gel Polish

Where every good nail tech should start.

This is your foundation. You'll learn what's actually going on underneath the product — from the anatomy of the nail and how gel cures, to safe prep, application, removal and troubleshooting.

And because becoming a nail tech isn't only about doing nails, we'll also get you thinking about your set-up, your clients and how to make it a success.

Anatomy & Physiology

Your skin · your nails · how nails grow · diseases & disorders · how gel actually cures

Health & Safety

The rules & regulations · risk assessments · COSHH · SDS sheets · dust · salon hygiene · keeping yourself and your clients safe · accident reporting

Getting Set Up

Insurance · codes of practice · consultation forms · your desk set-up · your kit · your mid-point checklist

Prep & Application

Natural nail prep · filing & shaping · gel polish application · French manicure techniques · troubleshooting · safe removal · aftercare

Making It A Success

Setting your goals · getting set up · finding your first clients · photographing your work · marketing yourself · building a business that feels like you

02

Builder Gel

Learn it properly from the start.

Builder Gel is an incredibly popular service, but there's a lot more to it than simply applying product.

We'll teach you the theory behind Builder Gel alongside the practical skills — from structure and apex placement to safe application, infilling and removal. You'll understand why one application doesn't fit every client, how to protect the natural nail and how to create work that's built to last.

Builder Gel Theory

What Builder Gel is · the difference between nail enhancements · the science behind gel · how curing works

Structure of the Nail

Nail anatomy · understanding nail structure · apex theory · building an apex · prescriptive manicures & knowing when Builder Gel is right to use

Prep & Application

Your kit · shaping · file theory · natural nail prep · Builder Gel application · checking for correct application

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Safe removal · infilling & rebalancing · troubleshooting · aftercare · extending with a tip

03

E-File

Build confidence with a tool that can change the way you work.

An E-file can feel intimidating when you've never used one — which is exactly why we teach it slowly and properly.

You'll learn how your machine works, which bits to use, the right speeds, pressure and angles, and how to avoid causing damage. Then we'll put it into practice with natural nail prep, infilling, debulking, refining and removal.

The aim? For you to leave understanding your E-file and feeling confident using it — not nervous of it.

Anatomy

The natural nail and what you're actually working on

E-file Theory

Your machine · the different parts of an E-file · RPM & torque · drill bits & materials · speed & direction · correct angles

Natural Nail Prep

Your kit · which bits to use · the right speeds · preparing the natural nail safely

Infilling & Debulking

Removal essentials · reducing bulk · refining your work

Safety

What causes damage · different types of damage · hygiene · client care · personal safety · your final safety checklist

We teach you the what, the how and the why.

Because when a real client is sitting in front of you, we don't want you thinking, “What did they do in the demo again?” We want you to understand what you're doing.

From complete beginner to nail tech

Meet Bal.

Before training with us, Bal had never even had her nails done. She wasn't someone who'd been practising at home for years — she was genuinely starting from scratch.

Bal's very first set of nails, painted red on her first training day
Bal with Kat and Nyah on her first training day
A fresh green set of nails by Painted By Bee, Bal's own nail business

On her very first training day, Bal shared her first set and wrote:

“I see the start of a journey.”

And she was right. Bal completed her training, case studies and qualification. Today she has her own nail business, Painted By Bee, here in Derby.

We don't expect you to arrive already knowing what you're doing. That's our job.

What's included

More than just three training days.

Our comprehensive course manuals
An in-academy training day in progress
Your kit, including an LED lamp
Small group training at the academy
Our two educators
01

Three In-Academy Training Days

Three separate days dedicated to Gel Polish, Builder Gel and E-file, giving you time to learn, practise and build your confidence properly.

02

Two Educators

Two educators, two different teaching styles, two different perspectives — and twice the experience to learn from. Because sometimes hearing or seeing something explained in a different way is all it takes for it to click.

03

Your Kit

A carefully selected Beginner & Builder Gel kit, including your lamp, with everything you need to practise throughout your training and start working once you're qualified.

04

Comprehensive Course Manuals

Written by us with years of experience, passion and a lot of love. They're designed to be more than something you read on the course — they're there for you to come back to when you're practising, working with clients or simply need a reminder.

05

ABT Accredited & Insurable

Your training is ABT accredited and your qualification is insurable, so you're gaining a recognised qualification you can take forward into your career.

06

Small Group Training

We deliberately keep our groups small, with a maximum of 8 students and two educators. It means more individual attention, more opportunities to ask questions and a much more personal training experience.

Something we're extremely passionate about

Making it a success.

We'd be lying if we told you that you complete your training, get your certificate and everything just falls into place.

Sometimes, the hard work really starts after the training.

We give you solid foundations — the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to get started — but then it's time to start building the house.

And we don't want you to have to build it alone.

That's why our support doesn't suddenly stop when you walk out of the academy. We're still here for the questions, the wobbles, the “can you just check this for me?” moments and everything you don't even know you need to ask yet.

We can give you the foundations. We'll even help you build. But what you create from there is yours.

The Group Chat

A direct line to us after your training. Ask questions, share your work, get advice or simply have somewhere to turn when you're not quite sure.

Our Open-Door Policy

Sometimes watching someone do it again makes everything click. Our salon doors are open to our students — come back, watch us work, ask questions and keep learning from real salon life.

Help With Getting Clients

Because being great at nails and building a client base are two different skills. We help you understand how to market yourself, show your work, get yourself seen and start building the kind of clientele you actually want.

Business Support

From setting yourself up and pricing your services to photography, marketing and finding your own way of doing things — we'll share what we've learnt from building our own businesses too.

Keep Learning

And when you're ready for even more, our student education platform gives you an affordable way to keep learning with nail tutorials, business support, real-life client guidance and new education to keep developing your skills.

Meet your educators

Hey, we're Kat & Nyah-Anais.

Mum and daughter. Salon owners. Nail techs. Educators. And the two people who'll be right there with you throughout your training.

We've been where you're about to be

Kat Kyriacou

Kat Kyriacou

Co-owner · Head of Nail Education

17+ years industry experience · NVQ Level 4 · Qualified Assessor

“I started as a single mum on a survival wage. Nails gave me flexibility, an income and, for the first time, work that made me believe in myself.”

Nyah-Anais Kyriacou

Nyah-Anais Kyriacou

Co-owner · Nail Educator

8+ years industry experience · Working Nail Technician

“Everyone told me nails was just a hobby. That hobby now gives me freedom, financial independence and work I genuinely love.”

Between us, we've spent years behind the nail desk, built loyal client bases, grown our own salon and turned something we love into careers and businesses we're incredibly proud of.

So when we teach you, we're not teaching from a textbook. We're teaching you from experience — what worked, what didn't, what we wish we'd known sooner and what it's really like when you start taking clients of your own.

Our salon has always felt like a family. When you train with us, you become part of that too.

View upcoming dates →

Our promises to you

01 / 03

01 — Depth

We don't just teach you what to do. We teach you why.

Understanding the why behind what you're doing is what helps you make better decisions, spot when something isn't quite right and know how to fix it. We want you to understand nails — not just follow steps.

Depth
02 / 03

02 — Support

Your training doesn't end when you walk out of the academy.

Learning doesn't always happen in a straight line. Sometimes something clicks straight away, sometimes it takes a little longer — and that's okay. We'll still be here for the questions, the wobbles and the “can you just check this for me?” moments long after your training days are over.

Support
03 / 03

03 — Quality

We won't compromise on quality.

From the products you learn with to the environment you train in, the standard of your education matters to us. We give you the time, attention and experience to learn properly — because the habits you build at the beginning matter.

Quality

Where they started isn't where they stayed.

Real students. Real journeys.

Four months after qualifying, I’d built a client base and was getting my own wellness cabin.

I’m so much happier doing this job. It’s enabled me to go self-employed and work around my children.

Jess, 32 Former admin assistant
01 / 03

Ready when you are

Everything we wish we'd had when we were starting out.

The training, the kit, the business knowledge and the support — brought together in one qualification.

If you trained individually

Gel Polish Training
£720
Builder Gel Training
£495
E-file Training
£195
Professional Kit
worth £250+

And that's just the training and kit.

TOTAL £1,660+

The Ultimate Nail Tech Qualification

The Ultimate Nail Tech Qualification

£1,300

More than three courses.
Everything you need to get started.

01

Your training

  • Gel Polish qualification
  • Builder Gel qualification
  • E-file training
  • 3 in-academy training days

02

Everything you need to get started

  • Professional kit worth £250+
  • Comprehensive course manuals
  • ABT accredited & insurable qualification

03

The Studio difference

  • Two educators throughout your training
  • Small, personal training groups
  • Business & marketing education
  • Case study feedback & follow-up
  • Ongoing support after your training

Payment options

Pay in full

£1,300

Pay with a deposit

£500 today + 6 monthly instalments

Klarna / Clearpay

Spread the cost

Book your place

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FAQ's