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Hairdressing - Level 1
Start Date: 1st September 2025
Other start dates:
2nd September 2024

- Length 1 Year
- Study Full-Time
- Location Kidderminster College
More about the course
Join our award-winning Hairdressing - Level 1 course! This intensive qualification has been designed to introduce you to the full spectrum of practical hairdressing skills, providing a solid foundation for you to progress onto the next level of vocational learning. This course is the first step for any aspiring hairdresser to start their journey to become a competent hairdressing assistant and to progress to a Hairdressing - Level 2 course at Kidderminster College.
Throughout this qualification, you'll develop and perfect your skills in shampooing, blow-drying and styling women's hair. You'll also begin developing your knowledge of different hair types, Health and Safety requirements and how to present yourself within the hair industry. As this course progresses, you'll be taught how to section hair effectively and apply temporary colour. You'll also be required to complete a work experience placement of at least 60 hours during your course, providing additional industry experience to prepare you for employment or self-employment.
ELEMENTS, Kidderminster College's on-site professional salon, participates in regular regional and national competitions, so there will be some amazing opportunities to showcase your work throughout your studies.
Entry requirements
There are no formal requirements for this course.
What will I achieve?
Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a VTCT Level 1 Hairdressing Diploma.
What will I learn?
- Salon reception
- The art of dressing hair, including blow dry's, setting and hair-ups
- Applying temporary colour
- Create a hair and beauty image
- Plaiting hair to include a range of on-scalp and off-scalp techniques
- A greater understanding of the Hair and Beauty sector
- Shampoo and condition the hair
- Consultation techniques.
How is the course taught?
- Theory sessions
- Practical sessions
- Presentations
- Practical demonstrations
- Independent work
- One-to-one support
- Tutorials
- Competitions.
This programme of study will be taught over 16 hours per week.
Classes generally run between 9am-5pm buy may vary.
How am I assessed?
- Practical assessments
- Assignments
- Online examinations
- Observations.
Work experience opportunities
To achieve this Level 1 qualification, you will be required to complete a work experience placement of at least 60 hours. All applicants need to source their own external work placement in a hair salon within the first six weeks of starting the course. These will be completed in addition to your timetabled hours.
You will also be working under supervision within our awarding-winning on-campus salon, Elements, working on staff, students and clients from the local area.
Work placements and work experience are designed so that you can build both your confidence and your skills so that you will be able to work competently within the industry.
English and maths
If you're aged 16-18 and haven't achieved a GCSE grade 4/C or higher in English and maths, you will be expected to study English and maths alongside your main programme of study.
You will develop English skills by learning new terminology.
Your maths skills will be developed by learning how to mix and measure your colouring products whilst following the manufacturer’s instructions. Whilst cutting, you will evolve your angles and measurements. When working in reception, you will be handling payments, taking messages, dealing with enquiries and making appointments.
Where can I progress?
Upon completion of this course, you can go on to study Hairdressing - Level 2 at Kidderminster College.
Get in Touch
Meet our tutors and students

Deborah Herbert
Tutor - HairdressingI am an experienced Hairdressing Lecturer. My primary goal is to enable learners to realise their full potential and achieve their career goals. My passion lies in creating enjoyable and effective learning environments where I share knowledge and impart valuable skills and expertise. With a strong focus on practical skills, industry relevance, and employability, I aim to prepare students for success in the ever-evolving world of hairdressing. As a Hairdressing Lecturer, I go beyond teaching, supporting learners with critical skills and pastoral care. In my new role as a Leading Practitioner, I am dedicated to helping colleagues and contributing to a collaborative learning community.
Hairdressing
Gallery

What can I do with a qualification in Hairdressing?
Daily tasks:
- Ensures financial accounts for the business are maintained.
- Demonstrates, advises on and sells hair and/or beauty products.
- Checks and maintains any equipment, and ensures that all safety requirements are met.
- Undertakes and/or directs hair treatments and/or beauty therapy.
- Ensures clients.
- Provides clients with information and advice on styles and treatments, and resolves any complaints or problems.
- Controls the allocation, training and remuneration of staff.
- Determines staffing, financial, material and other short- and long-term needs.
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Daily tasks:
- Demonstrates, sells and recommends hair care products to clients and advises them on hair care.
- Ensures hair products are stored and used appropriately and observes relevant health and safety factors.
- Maintains client records and keeps up-to-date with new products, styles and techniques.
- Collects payment, arranges appointments and cleans and tidies salon.
- Shaves and trims beards and moustaches.
- Combs, brushes, blow-dries or sets wet hair in rollers to style or straighten.
- Cuts and trims hair using scissors, clippers, razor and comb.
- Washes, conditions, bleaches, tints or dyes hair and provides any necessary basic scalp treatments.
- Discusses customer requirements, analyses hair condition and other relevant features to define and advise on hair style.
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Daily tasks:
- Maintains client records, sells and advises on cosmetic products and services, and ensures appropriate health and safety issues are addressed.
- Advises clients on diet and exercise to assist in weight loss and slimming.
- Recognises problems and refers clients to medical practitioners if appropriate.
- Performs specialist treatments for conditions such as acne, applies skin rejuvenation therapies.
- Applies make-up to hide blemishes or enhance facial features and advises clients on skin care and make-up techniques.
- Cleans, shapes and polishes finger and toe nails, applies nail extensions.
- Uses waxing, threading, sugaring and other epilation techniques to remove any unwanted body hair.
- Massages scalp, face and other parts of the body and carries out spray tanning.
- Discusses clients requirements, analyses and advises client on appropriate skin care, and applies treatments to the face or body.
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What can I do with a qualification in Hairdressing?
Hairdressing and Beauty Salon Managers and Proprietors
Daily tasks:
- Ensures financial accounts for the business are maintained.
- Demonstrates, advises on and sells hair and/or beauty products.
- Checks and maintains any equipment, and ensures that all safety requirements are met.
- Undertakes and/or directs hair treatments and/or beauty therapy.
- Ensures clients.
- Provides clients with information and advice on styles and treatments, and resolves any complaints or problems.
- Controls the allocation, training and remuneration of staff.
- Determines staffing, financial, material and other short- and long-term needs.
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Hairdressers and Barbers
Daily tasks:
- Demonstrates, sells and recommends hair care products to clients and advises them on hair care.
- Ensures hair products are stored and used appropriately and observes relevant health and safety factors.
- Maintains client records and keeps up-to-date with new products, styles and techniques.
- Collects payment, arranges appointments and cleans and tidies salon.
- Shaves and trims beards and moustaches.
- Combs, brushes, blow-dries or sets wet hair in rollers to style or straighten.
- Cuts and trims hair using scissors, clippers, razor and comb.
- Washes, conditions, bleaches, tints or dyes hair and provides any necessary basic scalp treatments.
- Discusses customer requirements, analyses hair condition and other relevant features to define and advise on hair style.
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Beauticians and Related Occupations
Daily tasks:
- Maintains client records, sells and advises on cosmetic products and services, and ensures appropriate health and safety issues are addressed.
- Advises clients on diet and exercise to assist in weight loss and slimming.
- Recognises problems and refers clients to medical practitioners if appropriate.
- Performs specialist treatments for conditions such as acne, applies skin rejuvenation therapies.
- Applies make-up to hide blemishes or enhance facial features and advises clients on skin care and make-up techniques.
- Cleans, shapes and polishes finger and toe nails, applies nail extensions.
- Uses waxing, threading, sugaring and other epilation techniques to remove any unwanted body hair.
- Massages scalp, face and other parts of the body and carries out spray tanning.
- Discusses clients requirements, analyses and advises client on appropriate skin care, and applies treatments to the face or body.
Powered by EMSI
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