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Hairdressing, Barbering & Media Makeup

Hairdressing, Barbering & Media Makeup

We deliver short courses and full qualifications. Our short courses are great if you want to build up a specific skill to enable you to specialise, whether to improve your career prospects or for your own personal interest. Courses are delivered by our highly experienced and qualified tutors in our warm and welcoming salon.

Our introductory Level 1 Hair and Makeup courses are for people who are new to the industry and unsure if they want to work in hair or media make-up. Upon completion of the course, learners will have received a thorough induction into both the hair and media make-up sectors, thus enabling them to decide which career path they wish to pursue.

Hairdressing and Barbering

Our nationally recognised women’s hairdressing and men’s barbering courses can be completed at Levels 2 and 3. On these courses you will gain the knowledge required to develop the skills needed to secure employment in the industry or become self employed.

Our hairdressing courses are popular for those looking to work in the industry in a variety of roles and specific fields such as hair for TV, film, theatre, fashion shoots and commercials, as well as in salons and spas. Examples of job titles for those who specialise in hairdressing include bridal hair stylist, salon hair stylist, colour technician, barber, freelance hair stylist, salon manager or owner.

Media Makeup

Nationally-recognised media and theatrical makeup courses are delivered at Levels 2 and 3. On these courses, you will gain the knowledge and develop the skills required to secure employment in the industry or become self-employed.

Our Media Makeup short courses are intensive or highly specialised courses covering a range of specific media make-up subjects. Perfect if you’re looking to add a new skill to your repertoire. Come along to our fantastic bespoke make-up studio and learn something new.

Browse our courses below or contact us for further information.

Funded Courses

For the following courses, you may be eligible for full or partial government funding or a loan, depending on factors like your age, location, residency status, employment situation, or income.

Entry 3 Certificate in an Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector
Day(s): Wednesday
Time: 09:30 - 15:30
Weeks: 23
Start Date: 06/01/2027
Venue: Lisson Grove Centre
Full Fee: Free
Funding Available: Yes, if eligible
Level: Level 2

This VTCT Entry Level Certificate in Hair and Beauty Skills will enable you to perform hair and beauty skills. This qualification will introduce you to practical Hair and beauty skills and techniques involved in creating a total look; via the unit called Create your own hair and beauty image. You will cover a range of techniques which will enable you to achieve a total look.Also included, care and hygiene in the salon and communication skills.

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Level 1 Award in Hair and Beauty Skills
Day(s): Monday
Time: 09:30 - 15:30
Weeks: 11
Start Date: 19/04/2027
Venue: Lisson Grove Centre
Full Fee: £492
Funding Available: Yes, if eligible
Level: Level 1

The main purpose of the VTCT Level 1 Award in Hair and Beauty Skills (VRQ) is to enable you to develop hair and beauty skills, techniques and knowledge, which will prepare you to progress to the next level of vocational learning. All the units in this qualification directly prepare you for further study in the hair and beauty sector.All units in this qualification have been designed as a foundation for further study both in the hair and beauty sector and more broadly. The qualification includes one main unit in Create a Hair and Beauty Image using colour.

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Level 2 Diploma in Women's Hairdressing with Certificate in Barbering
Day(s): Wednesday and Thursday
Time: 09:30 - 16:00
Weeks: 34
Start Date: 17/09/2026
Venue: Lisson Grove Centre
Full Fee: Free
Funding Available: Yes, if eligible
Level: Level 2

This programme has two qualifications. The VTCT Level 2 Diploma in Women’s Hairdressing is a qualification that has been specifically designed to develop your practical skills in; the creative art of cutting or dressing women’s hair, how to provide effective shampooing and conditioning services, the artistic skill of colouring and lightening hair and how to provide a good consultation service for your clients. . The VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Barbering is a qualification that has been specifically designed to develop your practical skills in; the creative art of cutting men’s hair, the specialist work of cutting facial hair and how to offer a good consultation service for clients.

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Level 3 Diploma in Women's Hairdressing
Day(s): Monday and Tuesday
Time: 09:30 - 16:00
Weeks: 34
Start Date: 14/09/2026
Venue: Lisson Grove Centre
Full Fee: £3,167
Funding Available: Yes, if eligible
Level: Level 3

The VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Women’s Hairdressing is a qualification that has been specifically designed to develop your practical skills to an advanced level through a variety of techniques in the following units; the creative art of cutting women’s hair, the artistic skill of colouring, imaginative dexterity of styling and dressing hair, and how to provide effective consultation support for colleagues. Underpinning this qualification you will develop a sound knowledge of monitoring health and safety whilst working in the hairdressing industry. You will also develop a knowledge and understanding of the practical skills learned throughout this qualification.

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Why study at WAES?
  • Highly qualified and professionally experienced tutors
  • Accessible Central London centres with bespoke facilities and great transport connections
  • A wide range of in-person, online, distance learning and community-based courses
  • Unique work experience opportunities through partnerships
  • Guest speakers offer introductions to career pathways in a variety of sectors
  • Excellent progression to employment, apprenticeships or further learning including university