Testimonials from Past Students
The course has been of value to students all over the world either to advance them in their current role in the industry or to help them join the industry. Here are some of their comments to give you a flavour of what to expect.
When I chose to take the course I had been working in industry for some years but wanted to improve my knowledge and understanding in order to be able to develop further in my daily role. Fitting the course around full-time work wasn't easy but the sense of achievement at the end and being able to see for yourself just how much you've learnt made it all worthwhile. Rarely a day goes by where I don't use information that I learnt from this course.
Amanda Arthur
Technical Information Officer, Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association
I really enjoyed the course and thought the breadth and depth of material covered was excellent. I found this to be a thoroughly useful course.
Matt Stone
Global QA Manager, Claire's Accessories
I am the Product Development Director for a private label manufacturer in the United States, and found the Cosmetic Chemistry course to be both challenging and extremely beneficial for my career. I now have a deeper understanding of the science behind cosmetic product development.
Cheria Orozco Co Valence, Arizona
I have found the course very useful, there is a lot of studying involved and it can be quite heavy going at times, however I feel that I have learned a lot. The course has been useful for my role as Development Chemist giving me a broad understanding of Cosmetic science and also knowledge about the different areas that I am not directly involved in day to day.
Nicola Heald Development Chemist, Robert McBride
I found the Cosmetic Course both attractive and difficult as there is plenty of material to study and references to have a look. The exams were very tight about time. Sometimes, I found myself running of time and breaking my hand trying to be quick while I wrote!
The reason I studied the course is because I worked as a Lab Technician in a cosmetic company in England, and when I came back to Spain to live here (I´m Spanish), I decided to create my own cosmetic company and produce my own cosmetic brand. I am a Chemist, but I did not have any studies related to cosmetics. As I wanted to create my own company, I needed precise and specialised studies about cosmetics. I put my name down in the course and I studied hard, very hard and now, I can say that I have the coveted SCS Diploma in Cosmetic Formulation apart from being a Chemist!
I am really thrilled that I passed the whole course the first time I presented myself especially as the whole course is in English. As I already said, I am Spanish! My own cosmetic company... my dream... my future better life is getting closer. Thanks Belinda to support me and the whole staff who prepared the course. I hope this course gives me the enough background to begin this lovely project.
Oscar Gil, from Spain
I am working at DuPont in the polymer fiber business, as application development leader. As a scientist as well as a consumer, I always had a passion for cosmetics and wanted to acquire better knowledge in this field.
I have enrolled to the Diploma in Cosmetic Science in September 2008 and I have just recently graduated.
I found the course extremely complete, spacing from raw materials to biology, from emulsion theory to manufacturing, from marketing to various testing subjects or formulations. Most of the units are extremely well done and provide a solid knowledge of the matter treated.
Being a distance learning course, a lot of discipline is required in allocating enough time to study and to complete the written work (essays and projects) and still have a professional as well as personal life!! It is not impossible, it just requires lot of good will!
I am extremely satisfied with all I have learned and I will strongly recommend this course to whomever would like to have a good understanding of the many different aspects of cosmetics.
Federica Stoppa Dupont, Geneva, Switzerland
I am a cosmetic formulator working on the E45 and Lutsine moisturiser brands and Clearasil anti-acne brand. I enrolled on the SCS Diploma in cosmetic science in September 2008 taking my exams in September 2009.
I found the course really useful and relevant to my role as a formulator and I think it helped me to develop my technical understanding for my role.
I found the course challenging as there is a lot of information to take in and doing the work in my spare time was difficult to manage, but I am really pleased I did it and having the qualification is already helping with my career progression. It is a good addition to my CV.
Nicholas Chambers Reckitt Benckiser (UK)
The SCS course provided an all-round knowledge of the Cosmetic Business which has helped me immensely in my work as Technical Support for South Africa and UK customers. This involves a lot of travelling to the customers, supporting them on NPD or formulation work.
The course itself is well written and easy to follow. I found it easier and quicker to buy any suggested books as the library was a little complicated to access from abroad but the suggestions on further readings helped to deepen knowledge on any chosen subjects.
The summer school is a "must do" as the classes and meeting the other students is invaluable." Of course we cannot forget Belinda who organises and coordinates everything perfectly with humour and lots of patience.
Ann Steinmann Personal Care, AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry
I found the course both challenging and enjoyable. Studying the course whilst starting work within the industry helped to expand and cement the knowledge gained from in both areas. It also gave insight and knowledge in areas of cosmetic science that otherwise I would not have encountered.
Fraser Fergie Senior Development Chemist, Broad Oak Toiletries
I have been working in a Professional Cosmetics Company for nine years as a Research & Development Project Manager, however I am always looking forward to learning new things, so I found in the web that I could do this distance learning Diploma and I could certainly improve my knowledge in this way. Now, I am glad to have done it!
Maria D Pla-Miralles R&D Project Manager, Germaine de Capuccini, Spain
This course was very testing! Hugely enjoyable! Practical fun! All in equal measures. Although the volume of notes at first seems daunting, the sheer thoroughness of them makes them an invaluable resource to anyone working within the cosmetic industry.
The Summer School was superb, especially the Lab Day, and it was a great opportunity to meet fellow distance learning students who had jetted in from around the globe. What else? Well the tutors are very friendly and are always there to help or advise in any circumstance.
A big thanks to Belinda Stone, the course manager, who does an excellent job of gelling everything together and is only ever an e-mail away. My best advice would be not to hang around answering the questions in the exams as the time goes by very very quickly and the last thing you need is to start panicking. Good luck!!
Robert Sherry Product Application Chemist, Fragrance Oils (International) Ltd
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I am working in a cosmetic manufacturing company in China as the International Trade Service Manager. This course helps me a lot in various scopes, including manufacturing, formulation and marketing. It, as well as the working environment, also allow me to compare the differences between lab scale and manufacturing one. In addition, it has provided me with various resources regarding to every aspect of cosmetic science. To conclude, this course is beneficial to my personal development, as well as the company improvement.
Fung Ka Fai, International Trade Service Manager (Cosmetics), Jiangsu Longliqi Bioscience Co. Ltd, China
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When I started the course, I had just graduated from university and not yet working in the cosmetics industry, but I felt that this course would give me better insight into the Industry. This course was amazing beyond expectation. Not only did it fuel my passion to work in the industry, but I learnt so much, met some very inspiring people, and was able to have a wonderful and very supportive course manager who helped me through the journey.
Kaosochi Ezigboh
Microbiologist, Procter and Gamble
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The awards ceremony in London, March 2011. Some of the successful students from the 2010 examinations with members of the SCS Educarion Committe.
