The UK’s hairdressing industry is vibrant and diverse, catering to a wide range of clientele with innovative styles and techniques. In recent years, we have seen a growing demand for skilled hairdressers, fueled by the increasing importance of personal grooming and the influence of social media trends.
With opportunities for career advancement and ongoing training, hairdressers in the UK play a crucial role in shaping the dynamic landscape of beauty and fashion. But what qualifications do you need to be a part of this?
Educational pathways
How do you fulfil your dream of becoming a hairdresser? Entering the hair and beauty industry requires specific training and qualifications – you cannot simply decide to become a hairdresser. These qualifications in the UK are called NVQs, which go from level 1 to level 4.
Whilst many people enter the profession straight out of secondary school, either into sixth form education or apprenticeship, there are various different educational pathways to becoming a hairdresser should that not be your route.
1. Hair and beauty training schools
If you’re looking for a quick career change into the hairdressing industry, hair and beauty training schools offer paid courses to fast-track into NVQ level 2 and 3 hairdressing.
At RJL Education, we offer paid NVQ level 2 and NVQ level 3 courses that take 20 weeks to complete (3 days per week). You need no prior experience or qualifications to join the NVQ level 2 course but must have an NVQ level 2 to join our level 3 course. By booking both courses, you can save yourself £499 and gain both qualifications in 40 weeks. We also have a variety of finance options available to help you fund your education with us.
2. College
One route to becoming a hairdresser is by attending college. Many local colleges and sixth forms offer NVQ level 1, 2 and 3 courses – depending on your age, experience and other qualifications. Here you will take a mixture of theory and practical-based units, developing both your knowledge and skills. Many colleges have a ‘salon’, where members of the public can purchase discounted services from training hairdressers.
To take a level 3 NVQ in hairdressing, you must have 4-5 GCSES grade 9-4 (A*-C), including in English and Maths. Level 1 and 2 courses require no prior experience or qualifications.
3. Apprenticeship
The apprenticeship route is one most favoured by budding hairdressers, as it offers a combination of college-based learning and practical-based experience in an accredited salon. Many hairdressing apprentices will spend 4 days a week in a salon, learning hands-on, whilst spending 1 day a week at college focusing on theory and assessment.
In the UK, hairdressing apprenticeships are linked to your local college and support you in gaining either a level 2 or level 3 NVQ in hairdressing. However, you must have 4-5 GCSES grade 9-4 (A*-C), including in English and Maths, to join a NVQ level 3 hairdressing apprenticeship.
4. Work
Some people may find the opportunity to gain their qualifications through their workplace. If you already work in a salon, they may be able to offer you support to attend college part-time or on a fast-track course to gain an NVQ in hairdressing, whilst you gain practical experience in-house.
The level of NVQ you gain your qualification in will depend on what prior qualifications and experience you have, though you must have 4-5 GCSES grade 9-4 (A*-C), including in English and Maths, to gain an NVQ level 3 in hairdressing.
Skills for becoming a hairdresser
Core skills for becoming a hairdresser
When taking an educational pathway to become a hairdresser, you will learn many crucial skills and techniques that must be mastered to achieve your qualification. These skills include, but are not limited to:
- Cutting hair
- Styling hair
- Hair colouring (including colour theory, bleaching and toning)
- Chemical services (such as perms and relaxers)
- Hair washing
- Treating damaged hair
- Scalp treatments
Soft skills for becoming a hairdresser
But beyond these core skills are soft skills, also known as interpersonal skills, which you will need to achieve success in the industry. These include skills such as:
- Goal-specific
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Active listening
- Verbal communication
- Flexibility
- Open to feedback
- Basic computer skills
- Teamwork
- Professionalism
- Tidiness
- Time management
Specialisations and continuing professional development (CPD)
Once qualified in hairdressing, the industry is your oyster. With trends constantly changing and developing, there is a wide array of specialisms that you can look into and train to do. Hair professionals are encouraged to take CPD (continuing professional development) courses after their initial training so that they can keep up to date with their skills, take on more specialisms and follow the latest hairdressing trends.
The government-recognised Standard Setting Body for the UK hair and beauty industry, Habia (Hair and Beauty Industry Authority) approves many hairdressing courses for NVQ level 2 hairdressers and above.
RJL Education has a wide range of CPD courses for qualified hairdressers.
For budding hairdressers with no experience or qualifications:
If you’re looking to jump into the industry with little to no experience or qualifications, or want to branch out and specialise in specific styling techniques, our bridal & occasion hair and curly blow dry courses could be hugely beneficial to you. They’re great for supplementing any hairdressing experience you may already have, or starting your own side hustle!
Hair extension courses are another great way to jump into the industry – and are also one of the most profitable services any hair professional can offer. We offer courses in tape extensions, weft extensions (including 4 unique methods) and nano bonds & micro rings, allowing you to choose which method to specialise in. However, we recommend taking our fast-track extensions course, which covers all 7 hair extension methods in just 2 days!
For hairdressers with their NVQ level 2 and above:
At RJL Education, we offer an NVQ level 3 course in hairdressing, available to hairdressers who have already achieved their NVQ level 2.
For hairdressers with their NVQ level 3 and above:
If you’re looking to branch out beyond hairdressing and thinking about getting into teaching, we offer a VTCT Level 3 in education and training course. This training certifies you to teach at a nationally accredited standard, as well as meeting the standard required by awarding and accrediting bodies to create, deliver and accredit your own hair or beauty courses and be insured to provide training.
We also offer a VTCT Level 3 in assessing vocational achievement course, that will train you to become a fully qualified assessor in hair and beauty. This course is officially recognised by Ofqual – a widely recognised regulation board in the UK.
For hairdressers with their VTCT level 3 in assessing vocational achievement:
For those who have already achieved a VCTC level 3 in assessing vocational achievement, we offer a VTCT level 4 in internal quality assurance (IQA). This course will prepare you for quality assurance in any subject where you hold a recognised NVQ level 3 and assessors awards.
Ready to take the next step to become a hairdresser? Why not sign onto our NVQ level 2 course today, or contact us for more information.
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