Hairdressing Apprenticeship vs College: Which Route Is Right for You?

If you’re thinking about becoming a hairdresser, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is how you want to train.

Should you choose a hairdressing apprenticeship, study hairdressing at college, or look at an alternative such as a fast-track NVQ hairdressing course?

There isn’t one route that suits everyone. Your ideal option will depend on how you prefer to learn, how quickly you want to qualify, your current circumstances and what you want your future hairdressing career to look like.

In this guide, we’ll compare hairdressing apprenticeships vs college courses, explore the advantages of each and look at another option for aspiring hairdressers who want a more intensive route into the industry.

How Do You Become a Hairdresser in the UK?

There are several ways to start a career in hairdressing in the UK, including:

• Completing a hairdressing apprenticeship
• Studying hairdressing at college
• Completing an NVQ Hairdressing qualification through a specialist training provider
• Training while already working within a salon

Whichever route you choose, practical experience is incredibly important. Hairdressing is a hands-on profession, so developing confidence working with hair, products, equipment and eventually real clients is a major part of becoming salon-ready.

If you’re completely new to the industry, an NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing Course can provide the foundations you need to begin your professional journey.

But how does an apprenticeship compare with college?

What Is a Hairdressing Apprenticeship?

A hairdressing apprenticeship allows you to learn while working within the industry.

Rather than spending all of your training time in a traditional classroom environment, apprentices are employed and develop their skills through a combination of workplace experience and structured training.

This means you can begin experiencing the day-to-day reality of salon life while working towards the skills and knowledge required for your chosen occupation.

For someone who learns best by doing, a hairdressing apprenticeship can be an attractive route into the industry.

What Are the Benefits of a Hairdressing Apprenticeship?

One of the biggest advantages of an apprenticeship is the amount of exposure you can gain to a genuine working environment.

You’re not simply learning how to cut, colour and style hair. You’re also seeing how a salon operates day to day.

That can mean developing valuable experience in areas such as:

• Communicating with clients
• Preparing work areas
• Managing your time
• Working alongside experienced stylists
• Understanding salon standards
• Building confidence in a professional environment
• Developing customer service skills
• Learning how a successful salon operates

Another important difference is that apprentices are employees, meaning you earn while you learn.

A hairdressing apprenticeship could therefore be particularly appealing if you’re keen to enter the workplace rather than continue with a predominantly classroom-based style of education.

How Long Does a Hairdressing Apprenticeship Take?

Apprenticeships are designed to combine employment with structured learning, so they are generally a longer-term route into the industry.

At RJL Education, the Level 2 Hairdressing Apprenticeship is an employment-based programme that will usually take approximately 18–24 months to complete.

Apprentices also receive protected training time as part of their employment, allowing them to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for their occupation.

The longer format can be a real advantage for learners who want to gradually develop their abilities while gaining extensive workplace experience.

What Is a Hairdressing College Course?

Another traditional route into the industry is studying hairdressing at college.

Many colleges offer qualifications at different levels, allowing students to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical hairdressing skills.

Depending on the college and qualification, your course could cover areas such as shampooing and conditioning, cutting, colouring, styling, client consultation, health and safety and salon professionalism.

College can provide a structured learning environment and may be particularly suited to school leavers who enjoy classroom-based education alongside practical sessions.

Many colleges also have training salons where students can begin developing practical experience.

What Are the Benefits of Studying Hairdressing at College?

For many learners, one of the main advantages of college is structure.

You’ll usually have a timetable, tutors, other students at a similar stage of their journey and a curriculum designed to gradually develop your knowledge.

College may be a good fit if you:

• Enjoy a traditional learning environment
• Want to study alongside other learners
• Prefer a gradual introduction to the industry
• Are progressing directly from school
• Want a mixture of theory and practical learning

However, college isn't your only option if you want to gain a recognised hairdressing qualification.

Is There an Alternative to College or an Apprenticeship?

Yes. A third option is studying through a specialist hair and beauty training academy.

This can be particularly attractive to learners who want focused, industry-led training without following the timetable of a traditional college programme or the longer duration of an apprenticeship.

At RJL Education in Bolton, for example, learners can complete a fast-track NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing Course over 20 weeks.

The programme is designed for beginners and combines essential hairdressing skills with hands-on training, helping learners develop the practical capabilities and confidence needed to begin their careers.

For those who already hold Level 2, the NVQ Level 3 Hairdressing Course provides an opportunity to progress further and develop more advanced cutting, colouring, styling and client consultation skills.

There is also an NVQ Level 2 & 3 Hairdressing package for learners who want to progress from beginner training through to more advanced hairdressing within one pathway.

Hairdressing Apprenticeship vs College: What's the Difference?

So, which option should you choose?

The biggest difference is usually how you learn.

Choose a Hairdressing Apprenticeship If...

You want to spend a significant amount of your time working within a real salon environment.

An apprenticeship could suit you if you:

• Prefer learning through practical experience
• Want to earn while you train
• Are ready to become an employee
• Want extensive exposure to everyday salon life
• Are happy to train over a longer period

You’ll gain valuable workplace experience alongside your training, making this a particularly hands-on route into hairdressing.

Choose College If...

You enjoy the structure of traditional education.

College could suit you if you:

• Prefer a classroom and practical learning environment
• Are coming directly from school
• Like following an academic timetable
• Want to learn alongside a larger group of students
• Prefer a more traditional route into hairdressing

Choose Fast-Track Hairdressing Training If...

You want focused training designed to help you qualify more quickly.

A fast-track hairdressing course could be worth considering if you:

• Want to change careers
• Want an intensive route into hairdressing
• Prefer smaller, specialist training environments
• Want hands-on practical learning
• Want to gain your qualification without spending several years studying
• Are looking for hairdressing courses for adults
• Want training focused specifically on preparing you for the industry

At RJL Education, the NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing Course requires no previous hairdressing qualifications, making it an option for complete beginners as well as those looking for a career change.

What Will You Learn on an NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing Course?

Your Level 2 qualification is designed to establish the foundations of your hairdressing career.

At RJL Education, learners develop practical skills across areas including:

• Styling and finishing hair
• Setting and dressing hair
• Cutting
• Colouring and lightening
• Client consultation
• Hair and scalp care
• Health, safety and professional salon practices

The course also introduces learners to selected Level 3 techniques and business-focused skills.

That combination is important because becoming a successful hairdresser isn't only about technical ability.

Understanding your clients, communicating professionally and developing commercial awareness can all contribute to your future career.

What Happens After NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing?

Completing your NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing qualification can open the door to several possibilities.

You could look for employment within a salon, continue developing your practical experience or progress onto an NVQ Level 3 Hairdressing Course.

Level 3 is designed to build on the foundations developed at Level 2 and introduce more advanced techniques.

At RJL Education, Level 3 training includes advanced cutting, creative colouring and lightening, colour correction, styling, client consultation and business-focused learning.

Depending on your long-term goals, further training can help prepare you for senior stylist positions, freelance hairdressing or eventually building your own business.

Can You Become a Hairdresser Without Going to College?

Yes.

College is only one pathway into professional hairdressing.

A hairdressing apprenticeship allows you to train while employed, while specialist training providers such as RJL Education offer alternative routes to gaining hairdressing qualifications.

This means aspiring hairdressers can choose a learning environment that suits their circumstances rather than feeling that traditional college is their only option.

Is a Hairdressing Apprenticeship Better Than College?

Neither route is automatically better.

The right choice depends on you.

If you want to enter a salon environment, earn while learning and develop your skills gradually through workplace experience, a hairdressing apprenticeship could be ideal.

If you enjoy structured education and want a more traditional student experience, college may suit you better.

And if your priority is gaining a recognised qualification through a focused, intensive programme, fast-track hairdressing training could provide another route worth exploring.

Before choosing, think about:

How do I learn best?

Do you thrive in the workplace, a classroom or a specialist practical training environment?

How quickly do I want to qualify?

Compare the duration of each route and consider how it fits with your career plans.

Do I want to earn while learning?

If this is a priority, an apprenticeship may stand out.

How much practical experience do I want?

Look closely at how each course or programme delivers practical training.

Where do I want my qualification to take me?

Think beyond your first course. Do you want to work in a salon, become a senior stylist, go freelance, specialise in colouring or eventually run your own business?

Your long-term ambitions can help you choose the best starting point.

Starting Your Hairdressing Career With RJL Education

Whether you're leaving school, changing careers or ready to turn your passion for hair into a profession, there is more than one way to get started.

At RJL Education, we offer hairdressing courses in Bolton designed for learners at different stages of their careers, including our Level 2 Hairdressing Apprenticeship, NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing Course, NVQ Level 3 Hairdressing Course and combined NVQ Level 2 & 3 Hairdressing programme.

Our fast-track NVQ courses combine practical, hands-on learning with industry-focused education, helping students build technical ability, professional confidence and skills they can take into their future careers.

And if you're still unsure whether an apprenticeship, college or fast-track course is right for you, you don't have to make the decision alone.

Speak to an RJL Education course advisor and we'll help you explore the training route that best matches your experience, circumstances and career goals.

Ready to Start a Career in Hairdressing?

Your route into hairdressing doesn't have to look like anyone else's.

Whether you choose an apprenticeship or an intensive qualification, what matters is finding a training route that gives you the skills, confidence and experience to move towards the career you want.

Explore our Hairdressing Courses and discover where your career could take you.