Practitioner Diploma in
Swedish Massage therapy
The highest level and the only
qualification of its kind in the UK
Practitioner Diploma in
Swedish Massage Therapy
High value course driven by passion – not profit
Excel in your Career with the highest level and only qualification of its kind in the UK.
NHS or hospice Placement
tutor support 5 days per week
Meet your Tutors
Your Tutor - Denise Kelly
Edinburgh and Glasgow
This is Denise, Swedish Massage Therapy tutor for Edinburgh and Glasgow and our Clinical Sports Massage tutor. From being the resident sports therapist for Riverdance when they have shows in Edinburgh and Glasgow, to giving sports massage to footballers, rugby players, runners and even knitters, Denise has varied experience. Denise is a passionate Swedish and Sports Massage therapist and tutor and loves sharing her experience with others.
Your Tutor - Melanie Bell
Guildford
Melanie founded The Complementary Therapy School in 2006 and has pioneered university approved therapy courses in the UK, which are the only one of their kind. From being in the health and fitness industry for the previous 33 years, Melanie loves to share her experience and skills with others. Melanie studied biomedical science at university with the intention of becoming a GP and returned to her true calling of complementary therapies. Living and breathing wellness, being a multi award winning tutor, Melanie delivers the course from a well-rounded approach to holistic health.
Your Tutor - Pamela Robertson
Aberdeen
Pam studied Swedish Massage Therapy and Clinical reflexology with us many years ago. Bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience, you can be assured of an informative learning experience in a friendly environment.
Course Content
Please click or press on the read more section of the boxes below for further information.
10 Reasons Why you would excel as a Swedish massage Therapist
Number 1
University Credit Rated Qualification
Excel in your career with the highest level Swedish massage therapy qualification in the UK. The diploma is SCQF Level 8/EQF Level 5, university-approved, credit rated by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). This rigorous academic backing means your training is respected and can open doors to further study such as integrative healthcare or acupuncture degrees.
Number 2
NHS & Hospice Placements
Gain real-world experience in professional settings:
- NHS Placement at University College Hospital (UCLH), London, with mentorship, NHS training, and an official reference.
- Hospice Placement at St Columba’s Hospice Care, Edinburgh, including training in palliative care, mentoring, and an official reference.
These optional placements help you build confidence, credibility, and compassion as a therapist.
Number 3
Learn from an Award-Winning Tutor
Melanie is a multi award-winning therapist with:
- Over 30 years’ experience in massage
- A background in health/fitness
- Her unique integrative approach combines science, technique, and heart, helping you become a knowledgeable and confident practitioner.
Number 4
Scottish Government Tuition Support
Eligible students can apply for the SAAS Part Time Fee Grant, a clear sign that our qualifications are government recognised.
Number 5
Professional Membership Ready
Qualify for direct entry to top associations:
- Complementary Therapists Association (CThA)
- Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT)
- CNHC (UK’s regulator for complementary therapies)
Number 6
Top-Tier Qualification
This Diploma is delivered at SCQF Level 8 / EQF Level 5, the highest private Swedish massage therapy qualification in the UK. As it is registered on the educational framework with an SCQF level, it provides the enhanced opportunity to be nationally and internationally recognised. We have Swedish massage therapy graduates that work confidently over the UK and other countries too.
Number 7
Affordable & Ethical
We’ve kept prices fair for years, driven by passion, not profit. We’ve also raised thousands for charity, because we believe in giving back through the power of touch.
Number 8
Build a Holistic Career
Ideal for newcomers and experienced therapists alike. With our integrated healthcare focus, you’ll be prepared to work with confidence in private practice, wellness clinics, or multidisciplinary settings.
Number 9
In-Depth & Practical Curriculum
You’ll learn:
- Swedish massage techniques & client adaptations
- Advanced techniques
- Anatomy, physiology, and pathology
- Client assessments, communication, and care
- Business skills, ethics, and clinic setup
- Muscle locations and functions
- Mindfulness and lifestyle coaching
Expect real clients, hands-on training, and over 70 treatments throughout your course.
Number 10
Exceptional Lifetime Support
Melanie offers 1:1 tuition support 5 days a week during training, and lifetime mentorship after graduation. Whether you need advice, reassurance, or help building your career, we are here for you.
Ready to start your journey?
Join the UK’s leading university credit rated Swedish massage therapy course and launch a career that makes a difference.
The Diploma has Two Modules
Module 1:
Swedish Massage Therapy
This hands-on module gives you the practical skills and confidence to deliver safe, effective, and personalised massage treatments. You will learn both standard and advanced Swedish massage techniques, focusing on adapting your approach to meet individual client needs.
- Practice on real clients in a simulated clinical environment
- Develop communication and counselling skills for client care
- Learn the essentials of setting up and marketing your own business
- Explore scientific research in complementary medicine, including how to interpret and apply it in your practice
Module 2:
Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology
Understand the body from a holistic and scientific perspective. This module explores how the body functions in health and disease.
- Study body systems and their interconnections
- Learn the causes, signs, and symptoms of common conditions
- Explore disease progression from a biomedical viewpoint
- Examine how lifestyle and stress impact overall wellbeing
Assessment & Case Studies
- Continuous assessment means no final written exam
- End-of-course practical assessments
- You’ wil complete a series of case studies, working with real clients, building your confidence, clinical reasoning, and professionalism
- 70 treatments are conducted during your training
Entry Requirements
There are no formal academic requirements to apply. We welcome students from all backgrounds and assess each applicant individually, focusing on your motivation and suitability for working in a caring profession.
Bridging Course
If you already hold a recognised qualification in anatomy and physiology or another relevant therapy discipline, you may be eligible to join via our bridging course. Your prior learning must include sufficient anatomy and physiology content at the appropriate level. Contact us to confirm if your qualification meets the criteria.
Support During Illness
If illness or personal circumstances affect your ability to attend, we offer flexible learning. You will have the option to rejoin the course the following year at no extra cost. Missed days can also be made up at one of our other venues.
Course Fees
The fees include tuition fees, Swedish massage training videos, handouts, support 5 days per week if required and assessment fees.
Part Time Fee Grant for students resident in Scotland
The Complementary Therapy School has been approved by the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) – a Scottish Government organisation. This entitles eligible students to receive the part time fee grant.
The non-repayable grant is awarded to students studying a higher education course.
This is worked out by how many credits you are studying. The main criteria for the grant: you have to be resident in Scotland and have a personal income of £25,000 or less. They do not take into account partner’s income.
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The Complementary Therapy School Swedish Massage graduates or for holders of a suitable level and credits anatomy and physiology qualification: |
With the Part Time Fee Grant£788 if paying in full with the application or £818 if paying by Instalments.
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Without the grant£1190 if paying in full with the application or £1220 if paying by Instalments.
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Students not applicable to the above i.e. for those that do not hold an anatomy and physiology qualification: |
With the part time fee grant£1087 if paying in full with your application or £1137 if paying by Instalments.
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Without the grant£1890 if paying in full with the application or £1940 if paying by Instalments.
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Additional Costs
2 x books, massage table, oil, wax, optional student membership of the CTHA or the Federation of Holistic Therapists. If you want to become a successful practitioner, with the highest quality tuition, the most respected qualification and with the most professional up-to-date training in the UK, then this is the course for you.
If you would like to apply for the Practitioner
Diploma in Swedish Massage Therapy
Please find the application form below
Application Form - Practitioner Diploma in Swedish Massage Therapy
The Complementary Therapy Schools Data Privacy Policy
YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR)
GDPR is bringing in new legal protection for personal information from May 2018.
This tells you what personal information I gather via my website, and why, and what your rights are.
The Complementary Therapy School
Address: Barry Business Centre, Main Street, Barry, Scotland, DD7 7RP.
Telephone No: 07961118183
Email address: melanie@thects.co.uk
Data Controller Contact Details: Melanie Bell – melanie@thects.co.uk
Purpose of processing Client Data
We hold and use client data in order to provide you with the best possible learning experience, support and advice.
We take information via our application form to allow us to make a decision on your suitability for the course. We also ask limited health information to ensure we can offer you the best learning experience.
Lawful Basis for holding and using case study Information
As a full member of the Association of Reflexologists, I abide by the AoR Code of Practice and Ethics. The lawful basis under which I hold and use your information is my legitimate interests i.e.my requirement to retain the information in order to provide you with the most appropriate training, follow up support, and advice
When you submit case studies as part of our therapy training course, the client cannot be identified. i.e. you cannot put on the consultation form the client’s name and contact details.
You are required to get signed privacy statements from any person you keep records on, including case studies. You will be required to submit a copy of this privacy statement along with any case study submitted to your tutor. A copy of this must be produced to the tutor during one of the teaching days.
As we may hold special category data (i.e. health related information) about you, the Additional Condition under which I hold and use this information is for us to fulfil our role as a Complementary Therapy trainer.
What information I hold and what I do with it
In order to give professional learning opportunities and follow up support to students the following information will be held:
• Your contact details
• Application forms
• Case studies submitted
• Course assignments
• Copies of certificates issued and records of students’ progress. I will NOT share your information with anyone else (other than with:
• An internal verifier
• An external verifier
• The Awarding body
• Students Awards Agency for Scotland
• The Association of Reflexologists (if required for quality verification purposes), or as required for legal process, or on your request to confirm that you have completed my course satisfactorily) without explaining why it is necessary, and getting your explicit consent.
Occasionally, we take pictures of our students in class and share these pictures on social media and other forms of advertising. If you do not want to take part in these pictures, you can opt out of these pictures at any time. It is not compulsory to take part in the pictures.
ID will be requested from you in person as a means of identification only. It will not be stored and the tutor will view your ID in class.
I may contact you using the contact preferences you give me in relation to
• Providing you with additional supporting material for the course
• Other information relevant to the course
• Reflexology information or information related to health
• Future training events, special offers and promotions (you may unsubscribe from this at any time)
Your data will not be transferred outside the EU without your consent.
Your personal contact details may be shared with the Association of Reflexologists (AoR) on completion of your course. The AoR may contact you to ask you to provide them with feedback on the course. This is part of the criteria for AoR CPD approval.
The AoR will only keep your information for 6 months and will only contact you in regards to feedback.
How Long I Retain Your Information for
I will keep your personal information for 3 Years.
Protecting Your Personal Data
I am committed to ensuring that your personal data is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, I have put in place appropriate technical, physical and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect from you.
Your Rights
GDPR gives you the following rights:
• The right to be informed: To know how your information will be held and used (this notice).
• The right of access: To see your tutor’s records of your personal information, so you know what is held about you and can verify it.
• The right to rectification: To tell your tutor to make changes to your personal information if it is incorrect or incomplete.
• The right to erasure (also called “the right to be forgotten”): For you to request your tutor to erase any information they hold about you
• The right to restrict processing of personal data: You have the right to request limits on how your tutor uses your personal information
• The right to data portability: under certain circumstances you can request a copy of personal information held electronically so you can reuse it in other systems.
• The right to object: To be able to tell your tutor you don’t want them to use certain parts of your information, or only to use it for certain purposes.
• Rights in relation to automated decision-making and profiling.
• The right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office: To be able to complain to the ICO if you feel your details are not correct, if they are not being used in a way that you have given permission for, or if they are being stored when they don’t have to be.
Full details of your rights can be found at https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/individual-rights/.
If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please use the contact details given above.
If you are dissatisfied with the response you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office; their contact details are at: www.ico.org.uk
(Please note the above Privacy Policy must be read and consented to before submitting an Application)