Learn from industry pros at the 5 best massage schools in Glasgow!
I train hard in sports, then go straight to physiotherapy, so I’m picky about treatments that work. Then I thought, why not try to learn the techniques myself?
When I started looking for good massage schools in Glasgow, it was a choice between a proper diploma versus a quick weekend workshop, plus how much hands-on practice I would get.
For me, the deal breaker is recognition that helps me practice and get insured with confidence. That’s why this review spotlights routes linked to the General Council for Massage Therapies and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council, plus qualification names like SQA, ITEC, and VTCT.
I’ll also cut through the fluff on what matters: durations, fees, weekend/evening options, and whether it’s sports massage-useful or just a “nice to know” skill.
How much does a massage class in Glasgow cost?
In Glasgow, a professional massage diploma (Level 3 to 4 Swedish or Sports) typically costs £1,500 to £2,500, and often runs 6 to 12 months part-time.
If you’re just testing the waters, short intro workshops are commonly £150 to £300, and CPD day courses (Hot Stone/Indian Head, etc.) are usually £150 to £350 per day.
Some beginner taster sessions can be much cheaper depending on the provider.
For a college HNC/HND route, costs can drop a lot if you’re eligible for Student Awards Agency Scotland funding.
1. The Glasgow School of Massage
Address: SUITE 14, 74-76 Firhill Rd
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: By appointment
After years of getting my own knots diagnosed in physio, I wanted training that’s practical, evidence-aware, and not just vibes. The Glasgow School of Massage fits that brief, so I thought of checking it out.
It’s a trusted, clinic-leaning setup based in Firhill that blends traditional massage skills with modern, client-centred practice.
I was intrigued by their dementia-informed angle; their tutors list specialist experience in clinical, oncology, and dementia massage, which is rare in a general massage school.
They’ve even run a dedicated massage course for people with dementia, designed for both therapists and carers. It’s currently paused with no upcoming dates, though, which I thought was a pity since I wanted to try it out.
For career changers, their main qualification route is the Level 3 Practitioner Diploma in Therapeutic Body Massage. This includes face-to-face training for 2 days a month across several months, case studies, and an exam weekend.
Some theory, like anatomy and physiology, is handled online, but the core learning is built around in-person practical hours, which is what insurers care about. Their courses are accredited by the Federation of Holistic Therapists, so they’re a solid pick for beginners, PTs adding massage skills, and holistic practitioners.
When I was there, it felt more like a hands-on studio than a big hall lecture. They offer a supportive learning environment instead of throwing students into the deep end.
That said, if you’re specifically chasing dementia massage dates, that course is currently on a break. Also, the diploma has strict attendance expectations, so it’s not ideal for casual walk-in learning.
Customer Reviews
I thoroughly enjoyed being taught by Rachel
I completed the Deep Colon and Abdominal massage course today, and it was incredible, although it was just me, the training day still went ahead, which was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed being taught by Rachel. Her experience in the industry is incredible, and I love her up-to-date evidence-based approach to massage. The course was amazing and so interesting. Abdominal is such a relaxing treatment, I can’t wait to offer this to my clients. Would highly recommend training here. Thank you!
- Sarah Harkins, Google Review
Rachel creates and holds a space for learning
Rachel’s pregnancy massage course was excellent. Rachel creates and holds a space for learning, sharing and very comfortable questioning, no drama at all. Lovely techniques taught as well as well-delivered factual content. I hope to be back for more soon!
- Elspeth Alexandra, Google Review
2. Shiatsu and Thai Massage Training Scotland
Address: Shiatsu and Thai Massage Training Scotland, 72 Berkeley St
Contact: +447989478320
Hours:
Monday to Friday, 10 AM–6 PM
Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM
My bestie signed up for Shiatsu and Thai Massage Training’s taster workshop to surprise her boyfriend on their anniversary night. Judging from the way they got engaged right after, I reckon it’s the kind of class that makes you feel capable, fast!
The school is run by an experienced teacher-practitioner (Lucy Trend), and the ambience is small-group, hands-on, and very body-aware rather than lecture-heavy. Training-wise, it suits weekend/short-workshopers, career-switchers seeking Eastern modalities, and yoga/holistic folks adding Thai work to their toolkit.
It’s a pity they don’t offer sports massages, which would’ve been ideal for me. Still, their menu ranges from mini Thai workshops (including a Thai massage for beloved friends-type session), up to a Yoga Thai Massage Professional Diploma that blends in-person practical training with online theory.
Most courses are designed for real practice, not just note-taking. My pal said her student support felt built-in because the school is tutor-led, and skills are taught in person. She was corrected on posture, positioning, and safe working habits on the spot.
They show up as an accredited course provider with the Federation of Holistic Therapists for specific certificates, like Thai Foot Massage and on-site seated acupressure.
If you’re the type who wants to start as a hobbyist and level up, they offer a tidy pathway via taster, then technique workshops, then diploma-level training under one roof.
However, if you want clear post-grad employment stats or guaranteed placements, they don’t prominently publish outcome rates. You’ll need to ask how graduates typically land their first paying clients.
Customer Reviews
Lucy made the training day so much fun
Lucy is a wonderful teacher. Very knowledgeable, attentive. Lucy made the training day so much fun. She is also a very skilled therapist. I have gained a lot from spending the day with her.
- Kuba Skipala, Google Review
She is very easy to talk to
Fantastic treatment by Lucy, she is very easy to talk to and tailored my treatment based on my needs. I noticed a big improvement just after one session. Looking forward to my next.
- Yiannnis Goumas, Google Review
3. Western School of Massage, Glasgow
Address: [email protected]
Contact: +447745615740
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.30 AM–5.30 PM
I wanted practical, proper remedial work that builds on Swedish massage, not a weekend of wishful thinking. That’s how the Western School of Massage in Glasgow got on my radar.
They have a long-standing reputation in Scotland and teach at Glasgow Caledonian University’s city campus. It instantly makes students feel more serious, and not in a backroom setup.
It’s very much weekend-study friendly, too, which I loved. Both Swedish and Remedial&Sports are run as nine weekends across 9 months, so career changers get to keep their day jobs.
Also, they’ve got a big tutor bench of practising therapists, so even with a healthy annual intake, it doesn’t have the feel of a massive lecture-hall churn.
The ladder is also clear, course-wise. Swedish gets you the foundation, then the Remedial & Sports diploma takes you into proper clinical-style assessment and technique. Both diplomas are credit-rated at 60 credits on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework scale.
The school says graduates can access professional indemnity insurance and start practising after qualifying. It’s best for sporty folks like me, PTs, and hands-on learners who want a structured, insurance-minded qualification.
Do note that the Remedial & Sports diploma requires a recognised prior massage qualification, like Swedish or therapeutic first, so it’s not a straight jump-in for total beginners.
Customer Reviews
Great course, and Colin was a great tutor
Great course, and Colin was a great tutor, very informative and answered any questions, nothing was a problem. Would recommend the seated acupressure course.
- Anne Carson, Google Review
The Seated Acupuncture massage weekend was excellent
The Seated Acupuncture massage weekend was excellent. Very informative and friendly course. Thank you, Colin.
- Pam Macdonald, Google Review
4. Charisma Training Academy
Address: 93 W Regent St
Contact: +441413855093
Hours: By appointment
I have a teammate who’s always complaining about feeling bloated, so she’s made it her mission to learn lymphatic/drainage massage. She wanted to pull off a course in 30 to 60 minutes, which I thought was impossible, until we discovered Charisma Training Academy.
It teaches lymphatic massage with structure, not just intuition. It’s very much in the modern wellness lane, making it a handy pick for weekend learners like my colleague and career shifters who want skills they can use quickly.
The big win is how small it runs. There’s a training room set up for just five students, which means my friend actually got corrected on pressure, pace, and body mechanics.
It’s also conveniently located on Regent, so getting there after team practice wasn’t tough.
Their lymphatic training is set up as a mix of at-home theory plus an in-person practical day. It’s best suited for Swedish and lymphatic-style add-ons. The courses are a good fit with beauty/wellness pros and fitness folks who want recovery-friendly techniques.
They state accreditation with ABT Insurance and the Centre of CPD Excellence, so it’s also positioned as a Continuing Professional Development, which you can actually build a service around.
The downside is that if your end goal is a more traditional massage school pathway, this place might feel more boutique wellness/beauty than sports-massage institution.
Customer Reviews
I chose Charisma due to their ethos & their training on the day was unmatched
Recently, I have just trained with Charisma – & it’s the single most beneficial thing I have done for myself & my vision. I chose Charisma due to their ethos & their training on the day was unmatched. The communication before, during and after is unmatched. It was the best fit for me & so much so, I have booked in already to continue to learn from such knowledgeable ladies.
- Megan Stewart, Google Review
Worth every single penny I paid
This was so much more than just a training course! The training was second to none, the amount of information I’ve received on top of how to deliver the treatments and background and information on them. Claire was fantastic. The way she explains things and puts them into a way you’ll remember is a skill in itself. Worth every single penny I paid, and I already know for definite I’ll be back for further training at Charisma.
- Meagan Kerr, Google Review
5. The Scottish Therapy Academy
Address: The Pentagon Centre, 36 Washington St
Contact: +441412219253
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
My baby sister needed a fast, job-ready 2-day holistic body massage certification for her new masseuse gig. Lucky for her, the Scottish Therapy Academy was built just for that kind of deadline!
They’re accredited via the Guild of Beauty Therapists and ABT and are a Glasgow city-centre training outfit known for fast-track beauty and holistic diplomas rather than long academic intakes.
They have a hands-on setup; their holistic body massage course is practical training in classic Swedish-style techniques, with an option to bolt on online anatomy and physiology if you need it.
They’re clear that A&P is a prerequisite. I like this kind of grown-up gatekeeping for safe practice and insurance. The tutor support is also more personal, and they emphasise full qualifications and small class sizes for more personal feedback.
I would recommend them for career changers, beauty/wellness pros, and anyone who wants weekend or short-course momentum, such as Hot Stone, Indian Head, and other add-ons.
That said, because it’s fast-track, you’ll want to be realistic about practice times after the two days. I always tell my sister that competence comes from reps, not just certificates.
Customer Reviews
Angela has literally held my hand every step of the way
Can highly recommend Angela. I have completed my reflexology, facial, Indian head massage, full body massage, hot stones and also ear candling training over the last 6 months and also started my own wee business! Angela has been so supportive, and her teaching is amazing. I was extremely nervous entering the classroom after deciding to learn new skills and change my career direction. But Angela has literally held my hand every step of the way and reassured me I can do this. She is an amazing teacher and has supported me outside of these courses and offered invaluable advice. Thank you!
- Emma Clark, Google Review
Angela is incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and supportive
I’ve had the pleasure of completing several courses and services with Angela at The Scottish Therapy Academy. Angela is incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and supportive. The programs I’ve done with her have not only helped me develop my skills but also given me the confidence to grow my own small business. I truly value everything I’ve learned and would highly recommend her to anyone looking to deepen their knowledge and practice.
- Laura Davidson, Google Review