Beauty Parlour Courses in India 2025: Fees, Duration, Eligibility & Career Scope

The courses Beauty parlour (cosmetology) teach applications in skincare, hairstyling, makeup artistry, nail care, spa therapy, and salon management. These programs are courses to short certificates (a several months), diploma (6-12 months), and a full degree (B.Sc./M.Sc. in cosmetology). An example is certificate courses (3-4 months); diploma (6-12 months) and advanced/degree (1-3 years).

The curriculum involves both theory (e.g. skin anatomy, product knowledge) and a lot of hands-on practice either in salons or laboratories. Most training will encompass basic skills such as facials, waxing, hair cuts, make-up, manicures/ pedicures, massages and salon hygiene to more advanced techniques such as chemical peels, keratin hair therapy, and others in advanced courses.

Although courses in beauty parlours (sometimes referred to as beautician or cosmetology course) range across most basic certificates, professional diplomas and degree courses. The practical skills that they teach include skin care, makeup, hair styling, nail art, spa therapy, and salon management, among others, to provide a combination of theoretical and practical training. 

An example is that a simple certificate in cosmetology can give instruction in facial massages, hair shampooing and simple makeup, whereas with advanced certification, one can also include hair-coloring, anti-aging and how to run a salon business.

Quick Overview of Beauty Parlour Courses in India

Eligibility Criteria

The entry requirements of courses in beauty parlours have relatively low entry levels, which means that the courses can be undertaken by a wide spectrum of learners.

• Entry Level Requirement -The most common requirement by the institutes is having passed either the 10th or the 12th grade (depending on the level of course you would want to undertake).
• Certificate Courses, Diploma Courses: Some certificate and diploma courses can be attended by the 10th-pass students.
• Specialty and Degree Programs- Specialty programs such as advanced diplomas/bachelors in cosmetology/beauty sciences could be completed in 12th grade.
• ITI Trades - Most of the courses given in the Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) meant that a student who passed 10th Grade was eligible.
• No Age Limit - The age limit is not a constraint since a higher age student or an adult who wants to get a career shift can also study these courses.
• No Prior Experience Required: Candidates are not required to have prior experience in beauty or cosmetology; training is provided in institutes in a manner that is easy to learn.
• Admission at the 8th Grade (Short-Term Courses) - There are special government approved short duration beauty courses in which the entry is possible even after 8th grade and more people have accessibility to it.

Fee Structure

Tuition costs can vary hugely between institutes, course level and location. ITI/Government courses are extremely affordable (commonly subsidized). As an example, beauty diplomas offered by NSDC-affiliated institutions can cost as little as 3,000 rupees, and ITI certifications approximately 10,000-15,000 rupees in total. 

Compared to that, the fee in private institutes is much higher, between a few tens of thousands and up to lakhs of rupees. In a report collected, courses on certificate level are normally between 5000-15,000 rupees and diplomas 15,000-30,000 rupees. Beauty courses will cost anything between 25,000 to 2,00,000 or above. Higher end academies are more expensive.

As an example, a 1-year diploma at Lakme Academy costs about 5.5 lakh in the beautician course. Metro-city institutes are also likely to be expensive compared to rural centres in general.

Admission Process

It is usually easy and flexible to get an admission. The direct admission majority of the certificate/diploma courses, where the applicant just completes a form (online or physically) and pays a fee. ITIs in other government institutions may either take up students directly or on the basis of merit in the 10th grade. 

No formal entrance exams are required in the majority of beauty parlour courses. Most degree courses in allied subjects may involve tests by the university examiners, but this is the exception. Institutes can interview students or demand some primary paperwork (photo identification, educational certification). Online enrollment of theoretical modules is possible at certain academies nowadays, although practice training is often face-to-face.

Top Beauty Academies and Institutes

• Lakme Academy (Aptech): The most famous network of beauty schools in India spread across the major cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, etc.). Provides certificate and diploma-based cosmetology, makeup, and hair and nails programs. Professional beautician diploma is a 1-year course that costs almost ~5.5 lakh at this institution. Lakme Academy does not ensure placement, to cope with the career guidance part.
• LCC Institute of Beauty & Nutrition: Campuses around the country with programs and programs that range in duration. The fees of diplomas range between 10k-50k. The new government skill program, in which LCC has pledged 100 percent placement of its students, is likely to go a long way.
• Shahnaz Husain International Beauty Academy: India's first professional beauty school. Provides diplomas in cosmetology, skin therapy, hair design, makeup, etc. Reputed to provide one year courses; charges are approximately 6 lakh per annum. Various campuses in India, and overseas.
• Jawed Habib Training Academy: (Individually famed hairdresser Jawed Habib) specializes in hair and beauty. Course options include hairdressing diplomas, makeup and beauty therapy courses. Yearly tuition is about 25k 1.4L based on the course. More than 40 training locations throughout the country.
• Orane Institute: Certified courses in cosmetology and spa therapy are also available (not pictured above) with campuses in major cities. The fees of a typical program is 1 lakh to 2 lakh rupees.
• Govt. ITI (Hair & Skin Care): Industrial Training Institutes all over India conduct a 1-year course on Hair & Skin Care (National Council of Vocational Training-certified). There are low fees (usually <₹15k in aggregate). Nationally Recognized NCVT Government certificate in Beauty Culture earned by the grads is respected by employers.

Syllabus and Curriculum

A beauty parlour course is usually a combination of theory/intellectual part and practical part. Topics may include: Skin Care (skin structure, facials, cleansing, bleaching, sun protection); Makeup (general bridal/party makeup, contouring); Hair Care (shampooing, styling, basic cut); Nail Care (manicure/pedicure, nail art); Spa/Body Treatments (Swedish or foot massage, body wraps); and Waxing & Threading (facial & body hair removal).

Certifications & Accrediting Bodies

• Government/ITI Diplomas: Diplomas undertaken in government institutions or ITIs (Industrial Training Immigration) are NCVT-certified (National Council for Vocational Training), being recognized and supervised by the Ministry of Skill Development.
• NSDC-Affiliated Courses-A number of academies offer programs affiliated to the Beauty & Wellness Sector Skill Council (B&WSSC), which was founded by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). These certifications are in tandem with national skill standards and are also industry validated.
• B&WSSC Role - The Beauty and Wellness Sector Skills Council also formulates the standard curriculum and assessment ensuring the trainees achieve the professional standard.
• Industry accreditations – Most of the beauty courses offered in leading beauty schools (those who offer good courses, such as Lakmé Academy, Shahnaz Husain, VLCC) are often accredited by NSDC, universities or industry bodies so that they are recognised by the industry.
• International Certifications -International bodies like International beauty experts (IBE) offer certification at an international level to work anywhere in the world. Example: Students at Lakme Academy have the ability to obtain an IBE Certification which allows them to work in another country.
• Career Implication - Successful completion of a certified course provides a major boost in the area of employment opportunities and one can work in some of the best salons and spas and also have an opportunity to work abroad.

Career Scope and Placements

Beauticians who have undergone training have broad employment opportunities. Employment options are painting the beautician at the salon, an expert on hair, an artist in makeup, nail practitioner, an attractive therapist, and a supervisor of salon or beauty salon. 

Graduates can usually get employment in beauty salons (e.g. Lakme Salon, Naturals, Shahnaz Salons), wellness/spa centers, hotels/cruise lines (as spa therapists), bridal studios, and film/theater costume departments. They can also become part of the home-service platforms (such as the Urban Company) or open their own salon. 

All the cities have the best beauty brands and salons that take recruits off these courses. As an example, Urban Company remunerates beauticians at 36,000-75,000 rupees a month. In the hospitality industry, luxury hotels now employ the services of beauty therapists in their spa sections; event management companies contract makeup artists and stylists; and online business and emerging enterprises (cosmetic products) also require qualified staff.

Placement services are different in different institutes VLCC Institute can now ensure 100 percent placement of its eligibility students in a government skills program. Other major academies (Lakme, Orane) have placement cells and industry tie ups, but do not guarantee automatic jobs. Lakme Academy clearly states that it does not make placements of its students and, therefore, the students usually secure jobs either through agencies or independently. 

Otherwise, students can complete internships at salons, or freelance, to gain experience. Conversely, many beauty professionals will work on a self-employed basis (e.g. bridal makeup artist or at-home stylist). By large, graduating in a well-known course and certification enhances the chances of prospective employment and income margins.

Salary Trends

The beauty industry pays salaries that are dependent on position and experience. Fresh graduates receive low salaries, with their experienced counterparts receiving significantly higher salaries. Even the entry level beauticians in India have salaries of about 2-3 lakhs per year (17000-25000/ month). After 3-5 years of experience the salary of an excellent beautician can increase to 4-8 lakh/year (about 35-70 or more thousands a month). As an example, a beautician having the experience of 4-6 years will get ₹35,000-70,000 a month.

Specializations

Students are able to specialize in many different fields to increase expert knowledge. Typical specialisations are Bridal & HD Makeup, Hair Coloring and Advanced Hair Treatments (such as keratin smoothing and extensions), Nail Art & Extensions, Advanced Skin Therapy (chemical peels, dermabrasion), Spa & Massage Therapy, and Ayurvedic / Spa Treatments and even Henna/Mehendi Art.

FAQs

Ques: What is the average range of cost of beauty parlor courses?

Ans. These fees range wildly. Course costs associated with Government or NSDC/ITI programs are very cheap (usually about 3000 to 15000 rupees, in total). Private institutes usually have higher fees; a certificate/diploma course would cost anywhere between ₹25,000 and ₹2,00,000. Elite schools are more expensive (e.g. Lakme Academy - 1-year diploma course ~5.5 lakh, Shahnaz Academy ~6 lakh/year).

Ques: What is the duration of these programs?

Ans. Depends on the level. The duration of the short certificate courses may be as short as 3-4 months. The diploma course program would take 6-12 months. High level diplomas or special courses can last over one year Bachelor Degrees ( B.Sc/ M.Sc in Beauty or Cosmetology) normally require between 3-4 years. Most institutes would also provide Modular/Part time courses.

Ques: What are the career paths you can pursue after studying the beauty parlour course?

Ans. Graduates can be a beautician, a hair stylist, a makeup artist, a nail technician, a salon manager or a spa therapist. They are employed in salons, spa centers, beauty clinics, in hotels, event companies, film/TV makeup departments, and even airlines or cruise spas. Others opt to work in beauty chains ( e.g. Lakme Salon, VLCC) or startup platforms. Many become their own boss and work in their own salon or freelance. Advanced certifications and specialisations give rise to positions such as cosmetic consultant, salon owner or celebrity stylist.

Ques: Do beauty courses have a government certification?

Ans. Yes, there is an NCVT-certified trade diploma in Hair and Skin Care that is widely recognized as provided by Government ITIs. Most of the private schools are affiliated to NSDC Beauty & Wellness Sector Skills Council; these schools offer national qualifications recognized across India. A government- or NSDC-approved certificate is valuable and will also enhance employment opportunities.

Ques: Can I work in another country with an Indian beautician license?

Ans. Working overseas itself may require extra certification. According to Indian academies, any international credential will help you in your global mobility. There are institutes who sell the course meeting the standards of international standards and help place the students all over the world. In reality, talented beauticians are able to get employment in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and other countries, but generally after getting local licensing or international certification in those countries.