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Informatics & DesignWellness Sciences
The Department of Wellness Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology offers two qualifications: a Diploma in Somatology and an Advanced Diploma in Somatology. Somatology comes from Greek roots meaning “body” and “study”; hence, the field of study refers to the aesthetic aspects of beauty and wellness and total body therapies that promote holistic wellbeing. The Somatology programme focuses on facial and body therapies and complementary therapies, including massage therapies, reflexology, aromatherapy, manual lymph drainage and stress management. In the more advanced programme, nutritional advice is provided, and various anti-ageing and skin rejuvenation treatments are offered.
The department also boasts a modern Wellness Clinic where students perform treatments on members of the public, thereby enabling them to obtain the tools, knowledge, and skills required to afford them excellent employment opportunities through a hands-on education approach. Various demonstrations of treatments are done to encourage students to participate in classroom teaching and learning to ensure that disciplinary knowledge is aligned with professional practice needs.
Mission
To develop professional Somatologists through specialist training, meeting the industry's needs and demands in a socially responsible, ethical, and financially viable manner. We are committed to raising the profession's profile within the thriving skin, health, and wellness industry.
Undergraduate qualification
The Somatology programme offers a Diploma in Somatology (three-year undergraduate) and an Advanced Diploma in Somatology (one-year post-diploma), which is in great demand based on its unique academic foundation, combined with practical expertise, industry involvement, training, and advanced therapies.
Diploma in Somatology
The Diploma in Somatology programme aims to equip graduates with the required knowledge and skills to provide basic and advanced skin and body care treatments that will enhance and maintain the aesthetics and well-being aspects of clients. Graduates can apply the appropriate preventative and remedial face and body therapies, technologies, and strategies to achieve, promote and maintain physical and emotional balance and well-being.
Qualified Somatologists assess and provide relevant treatments for various skin and body conditions. The programme also includes aesthetic aspects of the skin and body, such as make-up, temporary or permanent hair removal, and hand and foot treatments. The cornerstone of all treatments is the holistic approach, where all aspects of the individual are considered to maintain and improve a client's physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
At the end of the third year, our students can enrol for the CIDESCO examination, which is internationally recognised and recommended for candidates who wish to work abroad. CIDESCO is the world's most prestigious qualification in aesthetics and wellness therapies. This kind of qualification encourages the exchange of professional knowledge within somatology and provides international recognition to therapists in the somatology industry.
The Department of Wellness Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology offers a Diploma and an Advanced Diploma in Somatology.
Advanced Diploma in Somatology
The department offers an Advanced Diploma in Somatology that will allow students to broaden their scope of practice with new knowledge and skills in advanced therapies and a focus on anti-ageing and skin rejuvenation techniques. This programme enables graduates to advance their studies in the wellness sciences, allowing them to specialise in sought-after wellness therapies, emphasising scientific research. Graduates will be equipped with the ability to apply advanced wellness therapies, will be able to manage or start up a business enterprise with proficiency and will have the capacity to undertake research projects in wellness sciences.
Career Prospects, Minimum Entrance Requirements, Additional Admission Requirements and RPL
Career prospects
What kind of person will enjoy this field of study?
Individuals who are interested in working with people who are caring, patient, ambitious and focused. Passion for the health, wellness, skin and beauty industry with a desire for continuous learning will be an advantage if you become a successful therapist/entrepreneur.
Somatologists can work within a diverse skin, wellness and healthcare industry both nationally and internationally. There are several exciting opportunities available to them, and these include:
- Salon, skin and body therapist
- Salon manager or owner
- Wellness and skincare clinics
- Spa/ Medi-spa therapist
- Spa/ Medi-spa/resort manager
- Cruise ship employment opportunities
- Medical aesthetics practices
- Cosmetic consultant
- Sales, marketing and training representative
- Beauty editor/Journalist
- Beauty educator or lecturer
Minimum Entrance Requirements for the Diploma in Somatology
National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) with:
- Home Language (4) and First Additional Language (3), one should be English
- Life Sciences (4)
- Mathematics (3) or Mathematic Literacy (4)
- Recommended: Physical Sciences (3)
Additional admission requirements
Applicants wishing to apply for Somatology must complete a biographical questionnaire and submit a medical report from a medical practitioner. Once registration has been completed, both documents are required and should be submitted during the programme orientation.
- Biographical questionnaire
- Medical Report
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL processes will apply to applicants who have studied Somatology at a different institution and want to further their studies at CPUT.
Applicants who wish to enrol for the Advanced Diploma in Somatology need an overall average of 60% for the Diploma in Somatology (or equivalent) qualification.
Wellness Clinic
The Department of Wellness Sciences has a fully functional Wellness Clinic which is open to the general public. Treatments offered are : manicures, pedicures, facial therapies, Swedish massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, manual lymph drainage, hydrotherapy and many more.
Wellness Clinic Contact Details
+27 21 460 3003
+27 21 460 3211
+27 21 460 3189
Room 4.13, 4.14 and 4.15, Science Building, District Six Campus