Hairdressing Techniques for Beginners Level 1


  • Start Date: 01/09/2026
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
  • Funding Support Funding Support:
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Are you passionate about hairstyling and dreaming of making a mark in the ever-evolving world of hairdressing?

Join our professional team and be part of a growing industry of hairdressers at our state-of-the-art salon Botanica.

Our comprehensive training programme is designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the competitive hairdressing industry.

At Botanica, you’ll benefit from a curriculum that mirrors the latest trends and techniques in the industry, offering you a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience.

To boost your confidence and practical skills, you’ll also have the opportunity to work one day a week in a salon, gaining valuable work experience and exposure to real-world salon operations.

Here’s a snapshot of what you’ll learn in our hairdressing programme:

Shampoo and Conditioning – Learn how to perform professional shampooing and conditioning treatments that cleanse and prepare the hair and scalp for further services.

Follow Health and Safety in the Salon – Understand essential salon health and safety protocols to ensure a safe and hygienic working environment for both clients and staff.

Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector – Gain insight into the hair and beauty industry, its career opportunities, and what it takes to succeed as a hair professional.

Styling Women’s Hair – Master the art of styling women’s hair using a range of tools and techniques to create both everyday and special occasion looks.

Presenting a Professional Image in the Salon – Develop your personal presentation and professional conduct to reflect industry standards and build client trust.

Plaiting and Twisting Hair – Explore creative styling techniques such as plaiting and twisting to add texture, dimension, and flair to your hair designs.

The Art of Colouring Hair – Learn how to apply colouring techniques to transform hair using semi-permanent and temporary colour products, while understanding the science behind colour selection.

Styling Men’s Hair – Discover how to style men’s hair using modern techniques and tools to create on-trend, personalised looks for male clients.

Salon Reception Duties – Gain practical experience in managing salon reception responsibilities including client bookings, telephone handling, and customer service.

The Art of Dressing Hair – Learn how to design and create elegant and fashion-forward updos and styled looks for weddings, events, and editorial settings.

Create a Hair and Beauty Image – Collaborate with others to design and produce a complete hair and beauty look, showcasing your creativity and technical skills in a themed photoshoot or event.

Working with Others – Develop strong teamwork and communication skills that are vital in a salon environment, enhancing collaboration and client care.

Required Entry Qualifications

Three GCSE grades 1-3, preferably including maths and English.

Plus an informal interview with a member of our teaching team.

You will be continually assessed throughout your programme with practical assessments performed in our state of the art hair salons.

Theory is assessed through written assignments.

All courses are delivered by highly skilled and experienced salon team who design their sessions to accommodate all different learning abilities, wherever possible.

An important part of your course will be an industry placement.

This is your chance to see the industry and get some real-life experience, which is always good for your CV!

You will also get to work with our various partners who come to college to share their experiences and can inspire your career path.

Check out how we are embedding sustainability throughout our hair and beauty courses:

  • We’re a part of the Green Salon Collective, a company that offer Zero-to-Landfill Salon Recycling Solutions for Hairdressers.
  • Our hair, foils and metal tubes are recycled.
  • We use eco-heads, shower heads that reduce water use by around 70%.
  • Our beauty supplier is Eve Taylor and for every product we buy, they plant a tree.
  • We don’t print our learning portfolios, they’re all online.
  • We use the Wella Hero platform, which helps the students gain knowledge on all aspects education in the hair industry including sustainable salon operations.

You will require a kit and uniform, which will allow you to present a professional image and develop your skills in our own salon Botanica, we will invite you to our summer open event where we share all the information on how to get your hands on everything you need.

After the course, you’ll be able to progress onto level 2 in hairdressing or onto an apprenticeship.

Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.

We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.

Our specialist teams can help with:

  • Learning difficulties
  • Physical and sensory disabilities
  • Dyslexia, dyspraxia, neurodiversity or other specific learning difficulties
  • Mental health and well being
  • Exam access arrangements
  • Money, finance and bursary advice
  • Careers advice, job and university applications

See here for more information, pop into one of our enrolment events, call us on 0191 490 4627.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN HAIRDRESSING TECHNIQUES FOR BEGINNERS LEVEL 1?

  • Hairdressers and Barbers
  • Chief Executives and Senior Officials
  • Higher Level Teaching Assistants
  • Hairdressing and Beauty Salon Managers and Proprietors
  • National Government Administrative Occupations
  • Graphic and Multimedia Designers
  • Authors, Writers and Translators

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Median Salary

£14,175

Averge Qualifications

Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Apply Now

Knowledge

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Economics and Accounting: Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Median Salary

£67,398

Averge Qualifications

Honours, Bachelor's degree

Apply Now

Knowledge

Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Median Salary

£21,718

Averge Qualifications

Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C

Apply Now

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Median Salary

£29,063

Averge Qualifications

Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Apply Now

Knowledge

Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Median Salary

£25,576

Averge Qualifications

Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C

Apply Now

Knowledge

Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Fine Arts: Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Median Salary

£23,875

Averge Qualifications

Honours, Bachelor's degree

Apply Now

Knowledge

Foreign Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Fine Arts: Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Median Salary

£29,430

Averge Qualifications

Honours, Bachelor's degree

Apply Now

Skills

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Skills

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

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School Leaver Course Guide 2026/2027

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

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