The 5 best beauty schools in London to start your glam career
Not everyone’s been using their free will in the smartest way—especially when it comes to making money off what people care about most: their looks.
Right now, beauty is a big business. If you play it right, there’s real money to be made. But of course, you can’t just wing it. Nobody wants acrylic nails peeling off the second day or Botox that’s lopsided. Proper training is key.
Lucky for you, London’s packed with beauty schools. Our team has also done the legwork to dig into the best ones.
Here are the ones we reckon are worth your time (and investment).
How much does enrolling in beauty school cost in London?
Enrolling in beauty school in London usually runs anywhere from about £2,000 to £8,000. Some short intensive courses come in lower, while advanced cosmetic training can nudge at the higher end.
1. London School of Beauty & Makeup
Address: 1st Floor, 18-19 Long Ln, Barbican
Phone: +44 20 7776 9766
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
London School of Beauty & Makeup comes with a pretty weighty reputation. After all, they’ve been around since 1995.
On the academic side, they’re undeniably solid. Their courses span beauty therapy, facials, skincare, and non-medical aesthetics.
The fact that they award CIDESCO qualifications is also a huge plus for anyone considering international opportunities. These aren’t quick certificates; they hold real weight in the industry.
Students repeatedly highlight how strong the facial and massage modules are, and the hands-on approach stands out too.
Everyone practises on each other during lessons. This means you learn both as a practitioner and as a client.
What impressed us more was the sense of community. Instructors go beyond just teaching the syllabus. They genuinely support students, answer questions, and offer encouragement at the right moments.
Of course, it’s not all seamless. The facilities are consistently mentioned as an issue.
Many people say the space feels like an old office building, and a few even mentioned that basic amenities like proper heating were missing.
My experience was absolutely outstanding
“I completed CIBTAC and CIDESCO with Ellie, and Level 4 chemical peel and microneedling with Belgin at LSB, and my experience was absolutely outstanding from start to finish. The instructors aren’t just teachers, they’re mentors and friends who are always open to answer questions, clarify concepts, and offer encouragement when I needed it most…”
Sara Kanto, Google review
Full of energy and passion
“I completed my level 3 with the wonderful Belgin at LSBM. She is an absolute superstar! Full of energy and passion, which makes such a difference to the lessons. I really enjoyed my time with Belgin and am so grateful to her and LSBM for helping me on my journey.”
Michelle Smithson, Google review
2. The Beauty Academy London Bridge
Address: 139-143 Bermondsey St
Phone: +44 800 999 2277
Business hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: Closed
From what our team gathered, The Beauty Academy London Bridge’s biggest strength is its accessibility.
The flexible payment options are a major win if you’re juggling bills. Being able to spread payments over 3, 6, or even 12 months takes a lot of pressure off. It’s one of the features students praise the most.
Combine that with Associated Beauty Therapists (ABT) accreditation, and you’ve got a centre that’s credible while still keeping things financially manageable.
Their eyelash courses are very comprehensive—classic, Russian volume, hybrid lashes, they’ve got it.
They even expand into nails, with course bundles that save you money if you’re planning a multi-skill leap.
One thing we noticed is that their Ultimate Gel Nail Technician Training Package is the one they’re best known for, spanning four days. But aside from that, most courses are single-day intensives.
For trainers, they seem non-judgmental. They’d even give you personalised feedback, and they’re very thorough with their explanations.
However, some students had trouble getting email replies or call-backs. It’s frustrating when you’re trying to book, reschedule, or ask pre-course questions.
She answered all our questions with care
“Kerry was absolutely lovely, made us all feel super comfortable and never judged us throughout the process. She was really thorough with her explanations and answered all our questions with care, so we feel like we can really leave the course with so much knowledge and hands-on practice. The individual feedback also really made me feel like she was giving me the necessary attention, all while making us laugh and enjoy the session. It flew by so quickly! Loved it!”
Carolina Martins, Google review
I enjoyed myself and learned at the same time
“Absolutely loved the training! Kerry was a brilliant tutor who helped me understand everything very clearly and absolutely perfectly. I enjoyed myself and learned at the same time. I would highly recommend.”
Bansi Patel, Google review
3. Ray Cochrane Beauty Aesthetics Academy
Address: 75 Baker St
Phone: +44 20 7486 6291
Business hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:15 AM – 8 PM
- Friday: 9:15 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
We really appreciated the little quiz Ray Cochrane Beauty Aesthetics Academy offers when you’re unsure where to start.
It’s very helpful for anyone trying to figure out where they belong in the beauty industry.
The layered course system is another strength. If you’re already working in the industry and don’t need to sit through Beauty School 101, you can skip straight to the level that matches your experience.
Several students said that both the study materials and hands-on training are incredibly thorough. They even feel confident stepping into work immediately after.
The trainers are also supportive, patient, and knowledgeable. They may be a bit strict, but it’s in a way that pushes you to meet professional standards.
People say they’re friendly enough that they’re still comfortable asking questions, yet professional enough that you know they won’t be leaving with sloppy technique.
Where things get a bit wobbly is the admin side. We heard multiple comments from students who withdrew from courses and struggled to get refunds processed.
Highly recommend this academy to anyone!
“I had an excellent experience at Ray Cochrane Academy. The academy is truly wonderful, very professional, caring, and with an understanding management team that always puts students first. But most of all, I want to thank my amazing teacher, Pembe. She is the heart of my learning journey, incredibly patient, supportive, and dedicated. Her passion for teaching and her constant encouragement made all the difference for me. I feel so grateful to have learned from her. Highly recommend this academy to anyone!”
Yara A., Google review
Ray Cochrane is a fantastic place to train
“Ray Cochrane is a fantastic place to train, and I’m so grateful for the support I received. Miglena’s knowledge and hands-on approach made a huge difference in building my confidence with tattoo removal. She genuinely cares about her students and goes the extra mile to help. Amy was also amazing, always making sure everything was well-organized and that we had what we needed. The course was well-structured, and the learning environment was both professional and friendly. Highly recommend to anyone considering aesthetics training!”
Elena Mouis, Google review
4. The Beauty Training Academy
Address: 57 Wimpole St
Phone: +44 7376 421780
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
The Beauty Training Academy is very committed to small class sizes. With only six students per group, the instructors can actually see you.
We also appreciate that they share practical, real-world tips—the kind you end up using with actual clients, not just in exam scenarios.
Their certifications are ABT-accredited, which is a comforting stamp of professionalism. But what really earned points with the team was that your investment covers everything.
There are no sneaky surprise fees. People loved that models, materials, equipment, and even access to a video library were all included.
The quality of their course notes is also impressive. They’re detailed, clear, and paired with practical sessions.
Even their aftercare support is exceptional. Multiple students said the trainers keep helping long after the course ends.
Now, their biggest weakness—one that came up more than once—is their lateness policy. It’s very strict.
A few students shared frustrating stories about arriving late due to reasons outside their control and being turned away. While we appreciate structure, this rigidity can feel harsh, especially when people have paid a premium price.
I left feeling so confident and cannot wait to offer the service to my clients!
“I had a fantastic day training in waxing with the lovely Dee. She is organised, knowledgeable and a fantastic teacher. I left feeling so confident and cannot wait to offer the service to my clients! Thank you, Dee!”
Lucy Bell, Google review
Dee’s expertise, dedication, and passion have been invaluable
“As someone aspiring to become a beauty therapist, Dee’s expertise, dedication, and passion have been invaluable. Dee’s commitment to fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment is truly commendable. Her extensive knowledge of the beauty industry, coupled with a genuine interest in each student’s success, sets her apart. The practical skills and industry insights I gained under her guidance have been instrumental in shaping my journey as a budding beauty therapist. I wholeheartedly recommend Dee as an exceptional trainer. Her ability to inspire, educate, and elevate her students is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence!”
Elena Nikole, Google review
5. Moda Donna PMU & Beauty Academy
Address: 21 Skylines Village
Phone: +44 20 3287 7747
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Moda Donna Beauty Academy’s instructors are clearly the backbone of their appeal. We felt that they genuinely want their students to succeed.
They offer in-depth guidance on techniques, exam prep, and best practices.
Their course menu has over 35 options ranging from permanent make-up, dermal fillers, mesotherapy, and more.
There’s a clear pathway for elevating your existing qualification, so it’s ideal for someone looking to move from beginner to advanced levels.
Another strength is their international appeal. Students come from all over the world, so they have a really vibrant, multicultural learning environment.
On the flip side, the constant staff turnover is a real sticking point. We’ve heard that new faces pop up every few weeks. This means getting consistent information can be a bit difficult.
This inconsistency has frustrated some students who prefer clear guidance and a stable point of contact.
The learning process was incredibly comfortable and well-structured
“I had a wonderful experience studying at Moda Donna Beauty Academy. The learning process was incredibly comfortable and well-structured. I gained a lot of valuable knowledge, and now I feel confident working with clients as well as using laser and IPL devices. Our teacher, Karina, is a true professional. She explained everything clearly and gave us practical skills to feel confident and competent in our work. I’m very grateful to the academy for this opportunity to upgrade my qualifications and grow in my profession.”
Anna Pokh, Google review
I enjoy being part of this academy
“I am a beauty therapist, level 3, and I really recommend this academy for further levels in the beauty industry. All of the staff are so kind and professional. I enjoy being part of this academy – I took the exam at level 4. My teacher was so kind and teach me and show me all of the tips to feel confident with the laser hair removal and IPL treatment -her name is Karina. If I have to continue with my learning for other levels, I will choose again ModaDo na PMU and Beauty Academy👏. Thank you all. See you in the future.”
Klavdiya, Google review