The Nail Art Academy achieves City & Guilds Assured status for Professional Nail Technician Master Course
By Jess Watts | 26 September 2026 | Business & Education
One of the courses offered by nail education provider, The Nail Art Academy, has achieved City & Guilds Assured status. Scratch spoke to academy founder & Nailympia judge, Dinupa Jayasooriya, to find out more…
Established in Sri Lanka in 2016, The Nail Art Academy introduced UK-based training in 2023. Since the academy’s launch, more than 2,000 students across Sri Lanka and the UK have completed its courses – both online and in person.
“Our students include complete beginners starting their journeys in the nail industry, as well as experienced technicians looking to develop their practical skills and professional knowledge,” Dinupa comments.
Professional Nail Technician Master Course
The Nail Art Academy boasts a range of education offerings, with its Professional Nail Technician Master Course a particularly popular choice.
“The course gives students a strong foundation in both the practical and theoretical sides of nailcare,” Dinupa says. “It covers nail anatomy, health & safety, hygiene, manicures and pedicures, gel polish, gel and acrylic extensions, nail art, refills, maintenance and safe removal.
“Students also learn about client consultations, aftercare, professional salon standards and the basic business skills needed to work confidently in the nail industry,” she adds.
The Professional Nail Technician Master Course runs for four weeks and includes four on-site education days, followed by a fifth day during which students complete their final practical assessment.
Training is mainly delivered online, ‘allowing students to learn directly from the educator and ask questions during each session’. One-to-one practical classes are also available in London for students who prefer face-to-face learning.
“The course can open up a range of career pathways within the nail industry,” Dinupa shares. “Graduates may work as nail technicians in salons, become self-employed, provide mobile or home-based services, or open their own salons.
“The practical skills and professional standards covered can support those who wish to explore opportunities internationally, although local requirements may vary. Graduates can also continue with advanced specialist training and, after gaining suitable industry experience, may progress into nail education.”
Recently, the Professional Nail Technician Master Course achieved City & Guilds Assured status, providing an additional mark of quality assurance.
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Assured status
City & Guilds is a ‘global workforce skills development’ company that operates ‘as an awarding organisation and training provider, increasing skills access for individuals, learners and organisations around the world’.
To achieve Assured status, businesses must go through a six-step validation process which includes Business Alignment, an Expert Review and a Comprehensive Report. Once the validation process is complete and all requirements have been met, businesses receive brand guidelines and the Assured logo to use when marketing their courses – providing them with an additional quality assurance measure.
“The full process of achieving Assured status took around six months,” Dinupa reveals. “During this time, our course structure, training systems, assessment methods and quality assurance procedures were carefully reviewed to ensure they met City & Guilds’ standards.
“We had to show that lessons are well-structured, learning outcomes are clear, and students are assessed fairly and consistently. City & Guilds also reviewed our tutor qualifications, student support, quality assurance procedures and how we use feedback to monitor and continually improve the course,” she adds.
Together with the Academy’s CPD UK accreditation, City & Guilds Assured status ‘gives students greater confidence in the course and allows successful students to choose the certification option that best supports their professional goals’.
The future of education
Achieving Assured status speaks to the success of The Nail Art Academy, and Dinupa clarifies the areas of nail education she is working to improve: “Raising standards has not always been easy, as there is still limited awareness of why professional nail education matters. Short or unstructured training may teach basic techniques without giving enough attention to nail health, hygiene and safety, which can lead to unsafe and outdated practices.”
The Nail Art Academy addresses these challenges throughout its courses. “Professional nail training deserves the same recognition and high standards as every other area of the beauty industry,” Dinupa explains. “Quality education is not only about learning techniques; it can give students the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to build successful careers and become financially independent.
“Achieving City & Guilds Assured status is a proud milestone for us, but it is only the beginning of The Nail Art Academy’s continued growth and development.”
Browse The Nail Art Academy’s educational offerings at www.thenailartacademy.co.uk and follow its journey on Instagram & Facebook.
