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Nail Technician Courses. Get Started on Your Career!

Why Choose Our Diploma Nail Courses?

For over 20 years, thousands have chosen our courses to launch their nail careers. Our patented Nail Trainer® is the only accredited home study tool that offers true hands-on practice. You’ll complete real nail work, submit it for assessment, and earn a recognised qualification—all from home. 

Flexible Online Learning

Study the Tuition & Theory modules online at your own pace. No classrooms, no pressure, no time limits. 

Unlimited Practice and Success

Master beautiful nails with unlimited practice on our Nail Trainer®. Join our successful students who’ve reached their dreams.

Get in Touch

For advice and support, call 01440 844 860 and subscribe today.

Start For Free

FREE 14 day trial of the Acrylic Overlay and Extensions.

Your Path to Success

Every FULL Course includes unlimited support, business advice, and industry guidance. Join our Facebook group and access our Professional Gel and Acrylic products to build a profitable career as a Nail Tech. (Nail Trainer optional.)

Your Options for Success

You have three options to discover the world of nails and whether our fast track training is for you.
Choose one now and unlock the future you!

Discover
START FOR FREE

Begin your journey with zero pressure. Work through our professional Acrylic Nail Course on-line and learn the core techniques at your own pace and discover if a career in nails is right for you. This stage is all about exploration and confidence building, helping you take the first step toward your new passion.

Practice & Expand
NAIL TECH LAUNCH PAD

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, it’s time to get hands-on. You’ll practice with real tools and gain structured guidance as you start building your techniques as you make Acrylic nail extensions. This is where learners begin to feel like true nail technicians in training as you explore three of our most popular courses.

Serious Ambition
PRO NAIL TECH CLUB

Ready to turn your skills into a profession? This option gives you the credentials, confidence, and resources to work with real clients or start your own business. You’ll earn certifications, receive ongoing support, and become part of a professional community. Access to 9 courses and the Pro Course Kits.

Graduate Success Stories

Charlotte Gallagher

I can't thank Essential Nails enough for this incredible journey!

Erin Esty

I have gone on to win NBL Nail Technician of the Year South East and also Overall Winner. I'm ecstatic...

Kylea Wherry

Deciding to become a nail technician was the best I've ever made, the flexibily of self employment means my first...

Courtney Crosbie

She knew she was meant to be a Nail technician

Shashona Sullivan

It was in 2014 at the age of 32 when I decided to have a change of career from working...

AI-Powered Predictions: Top Nail Trends for 2025

AI predicts 2025 nail trends, including chrome finishes, minimalist styles, bold colours, and timeless shapes, with a focus on natural beauty and inno... Read more

How to Use a Priority Matrix to Balance Study and Work as a Nail Tech Student

Organise your tasks with a priority matrix to balance study, work, and nail art practice effectively as a nail tech student. Read more

Maximising Your Christmas Retailing as a Nail Tech

Maximize holiday profits by offering festive bundles, promotions, and unique gifts to delight your nail clients Read more

Academy Courses

Freehand Art Master Course
Freehand Art Master Course
Freehand Art Master Course. Here's your opportunity to learn freehand nail art to the highest level! Using just coloured paints, polishes and brushes you'll learn essential techniques to produce amazing nail art. While manicure, acrylic and gel nails will be your main earners, the offering of bespoke, unique nail art as a service can add 15% to your income. Included in this Master Tech Course are three modules.Freehand Paint and Polish 1.Freehand Paint and Polish 2.Bindi Designs.Each module contains materials and on-line tuition.Also included are tool and product kits and progress cards.You can complete this course for fun, or add the qualification to your portfolio. You clip your finished nails into the cards and send them to us for assessment. If you have reached the required pass mark we then issue you with your Essential Nails Diploma. The certificate that you receive is issued by the Essential Nails Institute and is nationally recognised within the nail industry.Please note to get your insurance you need to have completed one of the following courses with Essential Nails - Manicure and Pedicure, Hard Gel and extensions, Acrylic Overlay and extensions, or to have completed a course elsewhere that covered health hygiene and sanitation. The insurance will cover you to work from home, mobile or in a salon.This course is also available in the following subscription plans:PRO NAIL TECH CLUB

£ 149 .99*
Gel Polish Course
Gel Polish Course
Gel Polish Course. Gel Polish is perfect for natural nails and nail extensions. It offers long-lasting, chip-resistant colour that keeps clients' nails looking flawless for weeks. Its quick curing time under UV or LED light means faster appointments and satisfied customers. With vibrant shades and versatile finishes, gel polish enhances creativity and professionalism. For nail technicians, offering gel polish attracts repeat business, boosts service value, and showcases modern skills. It's an essential service for growing a loyal clientele and staying competitive in the ever-evolving beauty industry. What you'll learn. UV light box safety. Preparation of the natural nails. Perfect Gel Polish application in solid colours. French application in pink and white. Applications on the Nail Trainer. Save the nails for assessment and certification. Professional application and soak-off removal on a live model. Provide photographic evidence for certification. How to get qualified. Included in this course when purchased outright is the full, official Course Kit containing all the tools and products needed to complete the course. Also included isassessment, certification and the unlimited student support you need. Your tutor will be Essential Nails, nail expert Sarah Gooderham. Sarah will share her top techniques. You'll work on the unique Nail Trainer practice hand and a live model to complete your portfolio. Once you have learnt, practiced and perfected your techniques you simply return your portfolio to us for assessment. We'll assess your work and issue your recognised certificate, to show your clients you are a professional Gel Polish Technician. Please Note to get your certificate, you need to have completed one of the following courses with Essential Nails; Manicure and Pedicure, Hard Gel and Extensions, Acrylic Overlay and Extensions or have completed a course elsewhere that covered health, hygiene and sanitation. This course is also available in the following subscription plans:NAIL TECH LAUNCH PAD  PRO NAIL TECH CLUB

£ 229 .99*
Gel Polish Art Course
Gel Polish Art Course
Gel Polish Art Course. Nail Art has taken the world by storm and so has Gel Polish! In this amazing new course you learn 20 different techniques and the unlimited possibilities of Halo Gel Polish. This course covers advanced techniques you'll need for creating your own long lasting Gel Polish masterpieces and stay one step ahead of your competitors. Your Tutor. Recognised Industry Professional and multi salon owner Theresa Foddering, Aka The Naildresser, will give you step-by-step instruction and guidance throughout your course.  What you will learn. It follows the NVQ curriculum so you'll come away with a solid foundation and a worthwhile qualification. You'll learn how, and create for yourself 20 stunning designs using the following techniques: Foiling. Detailing. Marbling. Ombre. Texture. Getting your Certificate. The Course Kit which contains all the tools and products needed to complete the course, so you have everything you need to become a Qualified Nail Art Technician. With this kit, you create the designs on The Nail Trainer practice hand and save your nails on the special progress card and send this card to us for assessment. If you have reached the required pass mark we then issue you with your Essential Nails Diploma. Please note to get your insurance you need to have completed one of the following courses with Essential Nails - Manicure and Pedicure, Hard Gel and Extensions, Acrylic Overlay and Extensions, or to have completed a course elsewhere that covered health hygiene and sanitation. The insurance will cover you to work from home, mobile or in a salon. This course is also available in the following subscription plans:PRO NAIL TECH CLUB

£ 199 .99*
Acrylic Art Master Course
Acrylic Art Master Course
Acrylic Art Master Course.Master acrylic nail art to international competition standard with tuition by multiple Las Vegas champion. The course is taught in a relaxed yet comprehensive teaching style that makes the course fun. There are three modules, this is what you will learn. Glitter Acrylic Freehand - How to combine coloured and glitter loaded acrylics with freehand art. Glitter Embedded Acrylic - How to sculpt 3D designs and encapsulate them in clear acrylic making nails that have a vibrant glass sculpture quality. Acrylic Stiletto - How to produce the latest extreme edge stiletto shapes. Each module contains materials and on-line tuition. Also included are the tools, products and progress cards needed to complete the modules.You can complete this course for fun, or add the qualification to your portfolio. You clip your finished nails into the cards and send them to us for assessment. If you have reached the required pass mark we then issue you with your Essential Nails Diploma. The certificate that you receive is issued by the Essential Nails Institute and is nationally recognised within the nail industry. Please note to get your insurance you need to have completed one of the following courses with Essential Nails - Manicure and Pedicure, Hard Gel and extensions, Acrylic Overlay and extensions, or to have completed a course elsewhere that covered health hygiene and sanitation. The insurance will cover you to work from home, mobile or in a salon.This course is also available in the following subscription plans: PRO NAIL TECH CLUB

£ 149 .99*
Acrylic Overlay and Extensions Course
Acrylic Overlay and Extensions Course
Acrylic Overlay and Extensions Course. This Essential Nails course is designed to teach you all about how to create great Acrylic Nails, either as an overlay over the natural nail for strength and beauty, or over an extension tip to create long, elegant nails. Acrylic Nails have always been an important part of the nail industry and are one of the most sought-after nail enhancement treatments amongst clients, so once you have learned the skills you'll be earning great money either working from your own business at home, or as a professional in a salon. How you learn this skill. You watch the teaching videos and answer the test questions on line. If you want to gain the professional qualification, and have purchased the course kit, you copy what you see on your Nail Trainer practice hand. You then unclip your finished nails and send them to us in the post for assessment and certification.  Benefits of this course. *You get a professional accredited qualification. * You learn at your own pace. You get unlimited student support. * With the included Course Kit, all the tools and products are provided for you to complete the course. Course structure. 1. Nail Trainer basics, salon skills, chemicals used, health and safety, nail physiology, pre-service rules etc. 2. The techniques you will need to learn to make great acrylic nails, such as filing, prepping the nail, tipping, applying acrylic overlay, shaping and finishing and polishing. You save your nails for assessment. 3. Practice. You will practice on 5 different nail shapes fitted to thumb and fingers, using the nail trainer. At the end of this part of the nail course, you will have prepped, tipped, blended, applied acrylic, shaped and polished at least 60 sets of nails and will be competent to start working on paying clients. This course also available in the following subscription plans: START FOR FREENAIL TECH LAUNCH PADPRO NAIL TECH CLUB  

£ 279 .99*
Hard Gel and Extensions Course
Hard Gel and Extensions Course
Hard Gel and Extensions Course. This Essential Nail Course will teach you how to make money, making great Gel Nails for your clients. Gel Nails are easier to create and apply compared to acrylic nails, making them a perfect choice for budding nail technicians wanting to build a small business from home or to work in a salon. Gel nails are known to be odour free and chip resistant compared to a normal manicure making them a big hit amongst clients. They also blend in and mould seamlessly with natural nails, regardless of the shape and the length of the nail, making the gel course an ideal one for beginners with no experience at all. How you learn. Lessons and theory are delivered on-line and you carry out the practical aspects of the course on your Nail Trainer practice hand. You can watch the lessons as many times as you wish on your phone, lap top or tablet and practice for as long as you need until you're creating perfect gel nails or gel extensions. No college commitments, commute or expensive fees - simple one-to-one, private tutoring in the comfort of your home. Your route to get qualified. The full Tools and Products Kit is included in this course when purchased outright. These compliment the lessons so you have everything you need to become a Qualified Gel Nail Technician. Watch your lessons. Answer the tests. Create the nails and save them on your progress cards. Send your finished nails to us for assessment. If you have reached the required pass mark we then issue you with your Nail Technician Certificate. This course is also available in the following subscription plans:NAIL TECH LAUNCH PAD PRO NAIL TECH CLUB  

£ 279 .99*
One Stroke Master Course
One Stroke Master Course
One Stroke Master Course. This course teaches the wonderful nail art techniques of Japan producing 3D effect artwork. With one stroke of your brush you can create amazing miniature art on your clients nails. Watch the detailed videos presented by an internationally renowned nail art champion and practice on the progress cards. There are 3 modules in this course. One stroke Flowers. One stroke Tropical Wings. One stroke Japanese inspired. Each module contains materials and on-line tuition. Also included are products, tools and progress cards (some to practice your brush strokes on and others to send in for assessment). You can complete this course for fun, or add the qualification to your portfolio. You clip your finished nails into the cards and send them to us for assessment. If you have reached the required pass mark we then issue you with your Essential Nails Diploma. The certificate that you receive is issued by the Essential Nails Institute and is nationally recognised within the nail industry. Please note to get your insurance you need to have completed one of the following courses with Essential Nails - Manicure and Pedicure, Hard Gel and extensions, Acrylic Overlay and extensions, or to have completed a course elsewhere that covered health hygiene and sanitation. The insurance will cover you to work from home, mobile or in a salon.This course is also available in the following subscription plans:PRO NAIL TECH CLUB 

£ 149 .99*
Manicure and Pedicure Course
Manicure and Pedicure Course
Manicure and Pedicure Course. Why learn?Mastering manicure and pedicure skills opens the door to a rewarding, creative career. Whether working in a lively salon or launching your own business, the earning potential is strong and the social perks are endless. Learn with Essential Nails - trusted for over 25 years to turn passion into profession. What you will learn. You'll learn nail shaping, cuticle care, exfoliation, moisturising, and polish application. You'll master hand, arm, foot, and leg massage techniques which is essential for client relaxation. You'll understand how strong hygiene and sanitation practices are vital to ensure client safety. You should also understand skin types and conditions, contraindications, and how to select appropriate products. Professionalism, communication, and creating a calm, welcoming environment are key to a successful service. About the course.  The on-line theory course covers the NVQ curriculum. The Manicure and Pedicure Kit is included and provides all the tools and products you need to practice and get qualified. You work on live models and provide photographic evidence of your work. Your teachers. Over 2 hours of incredible tuition, tips and techniques from nail guru Jacqui Jefford and international NailTechnician Denise Wright. All techniques are demonstrated on live models, however you can use The Nail Trainer practice hand (included in the kit) to practice your shaping, preparation and polishing technique. Getting qualified. Simply return your completed case study work book and question papers to us for marking. We will then assess your work, and if it is of a high enough standard we will issue you with your manicure and or pedicure certificates. This course is also available in the following subscription plans:PRO NAIL TECH CLUB

£ 259 .99*
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