Student Testimonials

Julie Talbot, Oxfordshire, UK

Graduated in 1991 – my International qualifications gained at OICB prepared me for all aspects of running a very busy hair & beauty salon. For many years I have employed graduates from the college ensuring my team are all up to the high standards I expect. I also enjoy working as a part time tutor at the college.

Jenny Millar, Steiner Recruitment Manager UK

OICB students graduate with the highest stand of knowledge and practical skills, full of enthusiasm to get into our industry and make a successful career with the new skills and confidence that OICB has given them. They are always well presented and very employable at the end of their training.

Janee' Parsons, Oklahoma, USA

From Oklahoma graduated in 2003 - enrolling at OICB was the best thing I did for my career. The perfection Erika and the educators at the college seek from their students ensures you will be confident in your abilities and enables you to work in a vast array of jobs within the industry. My international diploma from the college set me apart from other Beauty therapists with lesser credentials when I began applying for positions in Spas. I now have the knowledge and expertise to run my own salon in America and owe it all to the unsurpassed training at the OICB.

Nicole Sojka Echabarne, California, USA

“My experience at the OICB was a memorable one that I feel very lucky to have had. The class was multi-cultural and I met some great people who made an impact on my life and who I will definitely never forget. The course work is by no means easy, but I feel that because I was pushed to meet my potential, I am much more prepared than many other therapists working today.”

Jasmita Thakersee, UK

"My full-time course at OICB was fantastic – it was well structured with outstanding support from tutors and staff. The class size lead to both an intimate learning environment and good friends – many of whom I am still in contact with. College-organised work experience led to my employment in the largest day spa in the UK. The inspiration from my principal, Erika Oswin, led me to open my own successful business. I wish future students the same success in this exciting and booming Beauty Industry."

Roxanne Solomon, UK

CIDESCO Student of the Year 2006 "hello from the Carnival Spirit – I love it, it’s so much fun, everyone’s really nice and the ship is amazing. We’re in Mexico at the moment and then we’re going to Hawaii and Alaska, I can’t wait! The international qualifications I gained from the college have given me the expertise and confidence to succeed in this fascinating career."

Diana Parkes, South Africa

Originally from South Africa, graduated in 1992 – the expert tuition I received and the highly credited qualifications I achieved gave me the ability and confidence to start my highly successful business in Marlborough.

Jessica Mee, Yorkshire, UK

I’ve learned so much and feel I have grown in so many ways. I am so proud to have to have attended your college and gained such fantastic training and qualifications. After two great years working at Grayshott Spa I am now enjoying life on the cruise liners! Just a big thank you to everyone for helping me achieve my ambitions.

Leah Fennell, Buckinghamshire, UK

Thank you so much for the last 2 years and putting up with me! It was the best thing I could have done and has opened so many opportunities for me.

Ann Ashley, Oxford, UK

It was a delightful trip to Bath Thermae Spa! Thank you for inviting me. I made lots of friends during my studies at evening class and I love coming to the college now as a model and supporting all the new therapists throughout their training.

Fatma Ramjean, Dubai, Saudi Arabia

Three years ago I decided to change career from a midwife to beauty therapy and moved my family from the Middle East to study on the CIBTAC two year course, combining my studies with looking after my family. After completing my course I spent two happy years at Champneys Forest Mere. Following your advice I have now enrolled on a management course, which I believe will be very useful to me in the future if I decide to become a Spa Manager. I couldn’t keep this exciting news to myself and wanted to share it with you, with all my respect. You are always a great example for anyone who wants to achieve success.

Ellie Osmond, Salisbury, UK

I just want to say a big thank you to all of you for putting me on the beauty path and believe it or not I do actually miss client day and even the lovely white uniform! I graduated in 2009 after two years on the CIBTAC course and absolutely love working in the industry. At present I am training therapists to on eyelash extensions and gel nails courses and at the same time building up my own bridal package business that is going very well.

Kirsty Wharton, Barbados, Carribean

The CIDESCO course was challenging but the rewards are worth it! Support from tutors and fellow students kept me going and it was truly an experience I will always remember. As a foreign student the move was simple and settling into the student accommodation was made easy by all the help from OICB staff.

Sophie Hicks-Lewis, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK

I am from Stratford upon Avon and studied on the full time CIDESCO course, graduating in 2009. I would most definitely recommend it to anyone who is serious about beauty therapy as not only is this the best qualification to get but it is the best school to obtain it. I am enjoying working at one of the UK’s leading Spas, Grayshott Spa in Surrey and would like to thank all the tutors and staffs for helping me find the right job! The possibilities are endless with this qualification.

Emma Sargeant, London, UK

I completed the CIDESCO fulltime course in 2009. The year went so quickly and I met many different people from all over the world on my course. I did my two weeks work experience in Jersey, Channel Islands and had so much fun it made me realise I definitely want to work in a Spa.

Jaimie-Lee Burford, Trinidad, Carribean

I am from Trinidad and completed the CIDESCO course in 2009. This course was very intense but enjoyable. I never thought I would learn so much about the skin and body! After working in the UK I am about to return home to set up my own salon. I would like to thank all the staff for their support and helping me settle into life in Witney and spending so much time helping me find employment at the end of my course.

Gemma Jackson, Leicestershire, UK

I completed my course at OICB in 1996. Every aspect of my course was good and to an extremely high standard. It was also a lovely environment to work in and carry out beauty treatments. I have worked at the top Spa, Ragdale Hall Health Hydro in Leicestershire for ten years and have progressed throughout the years to the senior role of Beauty Recruitment Coordinator, where I select the Beauty Therapists. I continue to visit the OICB each year for recruitment and many of the students come to work at Ragdale Hall on the completion of their course.

Pat and Ted Grell, Trinidad, Carribean

Living in Trinidad in the West Indies, we were delighted to enrol our daughter Dominique with OICB. We chose the two year CIBTAC course and It has proved to be the ideal course and college for her. Dominique is very dyslexic, and the tutors have been exceptionally helpful in both the tuition side and when she became ill with flu. It was very re-assuring to know that we could call for help and it was immediately granted.

The location is a charming market town with all the student houses within walking distance of the college and amenities and with easy access of both Oxford and London. All in all this was the perfect college for Dominique and we were pleased she gained her qualifications in 2009.

Zoe La-Roche, Oxford, UK

It’s been a great 10 months course, very intensive and hard work but the CIBTAC & CIDESCO qualifications are the best you can have so it was worth all the effort. I was extremely lucky that OICB helped me find employment at the end of my course last year at Esporta in Oxford.

Kimmy Viera, St Vincent, Carribean

I had a great time at OICB whilst studying for my CIDESCO qualifications, everyone was so friendly and helpful. The course was very hard work but well worth it, especially as I was confident enough to return home to St Vincent and open my own salon in 2007. After such a great education at OICB I recommended a friend to join the CIDESCO course this year and can’t wait for her to return and help me in my salon.

Sasa Pantovik

As a mature student I found the warm welcome and continued support when I arrived from Croatia made me feel like one of the OICB family. The enthusiasm of the highly skilled teaching staff encouraged me to work hard and gain prestigious qualifications and start a successful career in beauty therapy.

Thanks to all at OICB I am now enjoying life as a Spa Manager on the beautiful island of Malta!

Libby Petchell

Originally from South Africa, I enjoyed my year on the CIDESCO course immensely and was thrilled to be awarded Student of Year in 2005. Erika and the tutors at OICB are so dedicated and inspiring. They encouraged me to work hard and aim high and after joining the prestigious Grayshott Spa in Surrey as a therapist, I have quickly worked my way up to Assistant Spa Manager, thanks to a great foundation at OICB.

Jessica van der Graaf

Due to the expat assignment of my husband, I moved to the UK in 2007. Once settled into our new home in Minster Lovell I explored the opportunities to re-train as a beauty specialist. Luckily I found the OICB and commenced my training in September, graduating the following June. It was hard work and sometimes very difficult due to the technical topics, but Erika and her staff believed in me and supported me throughout which resulted in gaining my NVQ qualifications. In March 2009 I moved back to The Netherlands and started my own business, Jessica’s Beauty Room... ...it’s a dream come true!