Holistic Massage Diploma
10-month accredited professional training in Holistic Massage that will equip you to set up your own massage practice
Applications open for 2027 - starts 17-19 September
In Whitchurch, north Shropshire
Over 11 weekends, you’ll learn all aspects of Holistic Massage, from technique to anatomy, practitioner self-care to posture, business and marketing to practice management.
The course is highly practical and uses a variety of learning methods, including massage practice, conscious movement, creative exercises and journaling.
By the end of the course you will have a folder of 40 hours of massage given, 10 hours received, a reflective journal and a client study group paper, plus anatomy homework to build up the knowledge for your exam.
The course is examined and accredited by the Massage Training Institute, an Ofqual regulated professional association that has trained holistic massage therapists since 1988.
What type of massage will I learn?
Holistic Massage, which includes all levels of human experience - physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and energetic. This means that we understand there can be many reasons why tension is held in the body. We are aware that our clients will exhibit different types of responses to treatment (they may cry for example) and to be okay with that, holding a space of non-judgement and acceptance.
One of the things I loved about my training was that we were encouraged to find our own style within holistic massage. Over the years I’ve developed this, and today I call my practice deep tissue relaxation massage - it eases chronic muscle pain through slow, deep, gentle work that is easy on the nervous system. It can lead to real, lasting change in a client’s experience of their body and the pain and stress they feel.
As an MTI-accredited course, its core values are at the heart of the training: Creativity, Sensitivity, Integrity.
Why choose this course?
This level 4 course is a longer road than many other massage trainings, but a more sustaining one. What gets left out of shorter courses are ways to care for your body. Most massage therapists burn out after 5 years without this knowledge. This course will give you the skills to maintain a long-term career.
I’ll also offer you information on how to turn these skills into a business. I can share from experience what does and doesn’t work and give you templates to get you started.
We’ll use self-reflection, creativity and journaling to explore and understand our inner worlds and how who we are affects our massage practise.
Being any kind of therapist requires you to be self-aware and hold a space of non-judgement for your clients. I’ll help you build that muscle so you can create client/practitioner relationships with healthy professional boundaries.
This course is comprehensive; it covers massage techniques, anatomy, physiology and pathology, practitioner self-care, self-awareness, client relationships, becoming a therapist and setting up a new business. If you don’t need to learn all those skills, a shorter course may be more appropriate. If this in-depth approach appeals to you, find out more below!
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If you aren't able to make one or two of the course weekends, you can still complete the course by attending a catch up session to make up what you missed, for an extra fee.
1. 17-19 September
2. 15-17 October
3. 12-14 November
4. 10-12 December
5. 14-16 January*
6. 11-13 February
6b. 26 February - First Aid
7. 10-12 March
8. 7-9 April
9. 5-7 May
9b 26 May
10. 10/11 June
10b. 23-25 June
11. 8/9 July
* Includes a field trip to a spa on the Saturday evening
6b - you only need to attend the First Aid course if you don’t have a current Emergency First Aid at Work certificate. This is included as part of the course at no extra fee.
9b - This is a revision session for the theory exam, scheduled to give a month to revise before the exam
10b - Exams weekend
23 June: Theory exam, 10am-1pm - the afternoon is free
24-25 June: practical exam - you only need to be available for your own exam, for a total of 1.5 hours
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11 in person course weekends, 11am-5pm each day.
1 three day weekend per month, with extra dates for First Aid (if required) and exams.
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Each weekend contains massage demonstrations and practices. We will cover every area of the body at least twice throughout the course.
There will be movement, creative exercises and self-reflection to help anchor and ground what you are learning and we’ll explore playful ways to work with the weekend theme. This will help embed anatomy knowledge in a practical way, so it’s easier to remember.
There will also be time to rest, relax and absorb what you are learning, as well as supervision sessions for you to air any concerns or questions you have.
I will be available to support you throughout your massage journey. You can contact me by phone or email in between course weekends or book a 1:2:1 practice session. I will also set up a What’s App group to share information and provide support.
I’ll encourage you to find your own style within the framework I’m offering, and to follow your passion and curiosity into areas and techniques that call you.
As well as learning techniques, to build a sustainable massage career, there are many other skills and areas of knowledge you need, which we will cover over the duration of the course. These are:
posture
self-care
how to tune into your creativity and intuition
business and marketing skills
how to take care of your practice including insurance and record keeping
how to work with clients including healthy boundaries and safe working
the consultation and aftercare process
anatomy, physiology and pathology.
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The diploma is a significant commitment. Each month you will carry out 6-8 hours of massage and 4-8 hours of homework, leading to a theory and practical exam at the end of the course, and a coursework folder to be handed in on weekend 9.
Many students with families and full-time jobs have successfully completed the diploma and there is no particular lifestyle needed to participate. However, do carefully consider if you have the time and space to commit to it and make a plan for how you will manage the workload.
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No previous experience of giving massage is necessary.
Students need to be able to speak and write English fluently and must be aged 18 or over by the time the course starts.
Technology requirements: you must be able to access What’s App and have a Gmail email address to join a Google Drive shared folder.
The course is a Level 4, which is equivalent to the first year of a degree programme. Students need to be able to study at this level.
Students of all abilities are welcome but each student must be physically and psychologically capable of practising massage therapy. Reasonable adjustments will be made to support students with physical or psychological conditions where appropriate. The accessible training room is on the ground floor.
Get in touch if you have any questions about this.
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The course fee is £2,500.
A £250 non-refundable deposit secures your place. Half the course fee (an additional £1000) must be paid one month before the start of the course. The rest can be paid by instalments or lump sums over the course of the year.
The full fee must be paid by the course completion date.
The fee covers student membership of the Massage Training Institute and theory and practical exams.
All course materials are included in the fee.
Reference books and home equipment, such as a massage couch, are additional costs. You will also need to buy student insurance at a cost of around £20 for the year, and pay to receive at least 2 professional massages over the course of the training.
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The course is an NVQ Level 4, equivalent to the first year of a degree programme. On completion you’ll be a professional massage therapist with an insurance-recognised qualification.
Most professional massage therapists are qualified at Level 3. Having the higher level qualification gives you a deeper understanding of how to work with chronic muscular aches and aid relaxation.
During the course you will be a student member of the Massage Training Institute. On graduation you can join the MTI professional association, which has a range of benefits, including discount insurance and CPD.
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The course is by application only. This is to make sure that this in-depth training is the right fit for you at this time.
Click on the button below for the online application form, or request a paper copy by email.
You’ll receive feedback on your application within 5 working days. The final stage of the process is an in-person or online interview.
There are a maximum of 12 places available. Closing date for applications is 13 August 2027.
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If you want to build a private practice, the course offers both deep tissue and relaxation techniques, which gives you an unusual niche. This will help you to build a sustainable business with repeat clients looking for help with their chronic aches, while also receiving relaxation.
You will also learn how to prescribe simple aftercare exercises to help your clients embed the effects of the massage in their day-to-day life, which offers an additional benefit to your treatments.
You may choose to do extra study after the course - add another holistic therapy such as Reflexology, or a higher level qualification such as a level 5 in Sports and Remedial massage.
If you want to work with specific client groups or in the charity sector, you could set up a Community Interest Company and apply for funding from local authorities, charities, housing associations and the lottery fund. This gives access to massage to a wider range of clients including those not able to afford private fees.
Or you could work in a spa, as the in-house massage therapist at an osteopathy clinic or a hospital, as event support at triathlons or music festivals - there are a wide variety of options available.
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This course was so much more than just a qualification. It was a journey of deep self-discovery and professional growth. It offered far more than a tick-box approach, guiding me to a richer understanding of how we connect with our clients, while equally honouring our own physical, emotional, and energetic boundaries.
What stood out most was the depth of knowledge shared. The teaching around anatomy, physiology, and pathology wasn't surface-level. it was deeply embedded and beautifully interwoven, encouraging a holistic, embodied understanding rather than rote learning.
The course also equipped me with invaluable tools to support longevity in this work, helping to prevent physical and emotional burnout. I now feel better resourced, more aligned in my practice, and deeply grateful for the wisdom and integrity my teacher brought to every moment of the training.
Highly recommended.
Jennie, Oxford
“I signed up for this course after attending one of Jenny's Introduction to Massage days. I learned so much in one day I just knew I had to go for it. The diploma was amazing, so hands on from day one. There is so much to learn but having Jenny with you every step of the way made it an absolute joy, I looked forward to every weekend and missed it when we were off.
I made some new friends, and met great people along the way. Jenny is an absolute wealth of knowledge, and an amazing tutor and mentor, and I cannot thank her enough for helping me find a new path.
Ian, Wrexham
“I came onto the diploma as a complete beginner with little confidence in my abilities, but from day one Jenny was so encouraging and always made every student feel they were capable.
Her dedication to teaching massage really shines through, putting 100% into passing down her knowledge and experience and wanting every student to flourish. I’m now qualified with the skills and confidence to begin my journey as a self-employed massage therapist and am so grateful to have had such a supportive learning experience. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to take that step for themselves.”
Eve, Nelson, Lancs
“I studied on this course during 2025–2026, and I honestly couldn't be happier with my experience.
The course was really well organised and took us step by step from the basics to more advanced techniques. We had a great mix of independent learning and group work, which kept everything interesting. Even though we covered a huge amount of material, I never felt overwhelmed because everything was introduced at the right pace, with plenty of time to learn and practise.
Jenny created such a friendly, supportive and positive atmosphere that every training day was something to look forward to. She made everyone feel comfortable, encouraged us to ask questions, and helped us build confidence throughout the course.
Everyone received individual support, detailed feedback on assignments, and genuine encouragement. No question ever felt too small, and any issues that came up were dealt with quickly and thoughtfully. Because of this, I truly believe this course is suitable for anyone, whether you're completely new to massage or already have experience.
One of the things I loved most was how practical the course was. There was plenty of hands-on practice, which really helped me develop my skills and feel confident applying what I'd learned. It wasn't just about theory—it was about gaining real experience that I could use straight away.
The course also covers a wide variety of massage techniques and gives you a really good understanding of the profession as a whole. On top of that, you learn how to build a successful massage business, from carrying out consultations and attracting clients to planning and growing your business.
I'm absolutely delighted with what I gained from this course. If you're already working as a massage therapist, it will broaden your knowledge and help you become even more confident and professional. If you're just starting out, you'll be given everything you need to begin your career with confidence and a clear understanding of where it can take you.
The course has had a huge positive impact on both my confidence and my career as a massage therapist. I genuinely recommend it to anyone who is looking for high-quality training and a course that really prepares you for working in the real world.”
Mariia, Market Drayton
Course Tutor,
Jenny Hampton, founder of Learn Massage UK
I have 16 years’ experience as a massage therapist and 4 as a tutor. I run a successful full-time massage practice in Whitchurch, north Shropshire.
I’m passionate about the benefits of massage and how it can release pain from the body. I’m fascinated by the workings of the nervous system and the brain/body connection, about what it tells us about how we store and hold our life experience in our bodies.
I love to share with others what I’ve learnt about how to help support people to let go of built up stress and tension, in a way that is kind on their body too. Finding ways to massage that can be sustained over a career is all important, so you can maintain that love and passion for what you do.