Course overview
Looking for a great way to get into the hairdressing, barbering or beauty industry? You've just found the perfect course!
When you start, you'll decide on whether you'd like to study the hairdressing, barbering or beauty route. Our lecturers will go through all your target grades/current grades, discuss options with you and make sure you're on the right course before you start. The course runs for 20 weeks.
HAIRDRESSING ROUTE
We're a bit biased, obviously, but we like to think we're the best place in the North East to study hairdressing.
There's so many reasons why. It might be our award-winning, highly experienced lecturers. Or it could be our amazing facilities, including our hair salon open to the public. Or it might be the fact that we are the only Lee Stafford Hairdressing Academy in the area, meaning we work closely with celebrity hairstylist Lee Stafford and his team to ensure all of the techniques and skills you learn are absolutely bang on trend.
So in short, if you want to sharpen your skills, start a career in an exciting industry and have some fun doing it too - we're the college for you.
BEAUTY ROUTE
Again - bit biased here - but we like to think we're the best place to study beauty too!
And just like our hairdressing courses, our beauty courses are also taught by highly experienced beauticians who are on-hand to help you develop your skills in everything from skin massage techniques to nail treatments.
You'll get to practice the skills and techniques you learn on real people too; our beauty salon is open to the public to real clients, and once you're trained up, you'll get to work with them.
BARBERING ROUTE
Are you ready to take your first step into the exciting world of barbering? Our City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in an introduction to Barbering (3001-02) is the perfect introduction for anyone looking to begin a career in the barbering industry.
This hands-on course gives you the essential skills and confidence to work in a professional salon environment. You’ll study a range of engaging units, including: Men's cutting and styling, consultation, health and safety,
You’ll be learning from an expert tutor with vast industrial experience, who has successfully owned and managed several barbershops and even worked with celebrity clients. This real-world knowledge and passion for the craft ensures you’ll be gaining insight and skills that truly prepare you for the industry.
By the end of the course, you’ll not only gain valuable practical experience but also develop the professionalism, customer service, and industry knowledge employers are looking for to then progress onto Level 2 Diploma in Barbering.
Whether you’re aiming to continue your training onto higher-level barbering qualifications or want to explore wider opportunities in the hair and beauty sector, this course is the perfect place to start.
Topics
There are 6 units to cover in this qualification. You can only choose the hair OR the beauty route bit not both.
Hair route
• Intro to the hair and beauty sector
• Presenting a professional image
• Shampooing and conditioning
• Style women's hair
• Plaiting and twisting hair
The Lee Stafford recipes you will work towards are:
• Dressing techniques covered to include Pony up, twisted tong, 'Big n Bouncy' blow-dry, heated rollers.
• Cutting techniques covered to include long graduation, short graduation, one length above and below shoulders.
• Colour techniques to include roots, full head colours, highlights.
Beauty route
• Intro to the hair and beauty sector
• Presenting a professional image
• Skin care
• Basic makeup application
• Provide basic manicure treatment
You will be completing other activities alongside such as Level 2 specialised facial, party lashes, apply and removal of gel polish.
Barbering route
• Intro to the hair and beauty sector
• Presenting a professional image
• Men's Styling
• Shampoo and condition hair
• Health and Safety
You will be completing other activities alongside such as Level 2 men's cutting, consultation and beard and moustache trimming.
Job opportunities after this course
After successful completion of the course you will have an awareness of the skills and requirements needed to progress onto either
Level 2 Hairdressing
Level 2 Beauty
Level 2 Barbering
Further study options after this course
Candidates who successfully achieve this qualification could progress to
Level 2 Hairdressing
Level 2 Beauty
Level 2 Barbering
Entry requirements
All applicants will be interviewed and carry out an initial assessment in hairdressing or beauty related tasks. The required literacy and numeracy skills are Entry level 3 or working towards a level 1 qualification.
Learners under 19 years of age will need to complete functional skills or GCSE depending on qualifications already achieved.
Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.
Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.
For the latest qualifications and grades required by course type/level, please follow this link to check the most up-to-date entry criteria for direct entry and internal progression at the college.
How is this course assessed?
There will be a combination of theory, covering the knowledge required, and training in the required skills to gain practical competence. Candidates are required to complete practical assessments which are graded at pass or fail.
Candidates will work in salon sessions on mannequin head, models, peers and clients, etc. to practice skills regarding assessment criteria needed for a pass.
When does the course start?
Barbering runs on a Tues 5-8pm its for an intro to barbering with James Rainey in G028b Start date 13.1.26-30.6.26 3 hours per week for 20 weeks
Beauty runs on a Thursday 12-3pm for an intro to beauty with Jodie Wylie in G018 start date 15.1.26-2.6.26 3 hours per week for 20 weeks
Hairdressing runs on a Wed 10-1pm for an intro to hair with Karen Crangle in G029 start date 14.1.26-1.7.26 for 20 weeks
Length of course
A 20 week programme in which knowledge is assessed via practical and written assignments. Evidence is generated and presented in a portfolio.
Kit and resources will be given to use within salon sessions.
Fees & Funding
Please read our Course Fees & Funding page.How to apply
To apply online for this course, please click on the 'Apply' button at the top/bottom of this page.
Alternatively, if you need assistance with your application or you would like to apply over the phone or using a paper-based application form, please call Student Services on 0191 518 8222.
If you're not quite ready to apply for this course and would like some more information or to speak to a member of staff then please click on the 'Enquire' button at the top/bottom of this page.