Level 1 Diploma in an Introduction to the Hair & Beauty Sector 2025-26

Looking for a great way to get into the hairdressing 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 route, or the 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.

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 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.

There are 11 units covered in this qualification. Please note you can only choose the hair or beauty route, not both.

Hair Route:

• Intro to the hair and beauty sector
• Presenting a professional image
• Shampooing and conditioning
• Shampoo and conditioning
• Plaiting and twisting
• Create a hair and beauty image
• Follow health and safety in the salon
• Salon reception duties
• Working with others
• The art of dressing hair
• Colour hair

The Lee Stafford recipes you will work towards are:

• Dressing techniques covered to include: pony up, twisted tong, spiral rose, big n Bouncy blow-dry, vintage tong, heated rollers.
• Cutting techniques covered to include: uniform layer, long graduation, graduated bob, short graduation, short back and sides, one length above and below shoulders.
• Colour techniques to include: roots, full head colours, ombre and highlights.

Beauty Route:

• Intro to the hair and beauty sector
• Presenting a professional image
• Create a colour image
• Skin care
• Basic makeup application
• Themed face painting
• Nail art application
• Provide basic manicure treatment
• Follow health and safety in the salon
• Salon reception duties
• Art of photographic makeup

You will be completing other activities alongside such as Level 2 specialised facial, manual and spray tanning, party lashes, apply and removal of gel polish, specialised manicures, body art in preparation for competitions.

• Barbershop Receptionist / Assistant
• Barbershop Stylist / Junior Stylist
• Colouring Specialist
• Cruise Liner Styist
• Hair Salon Receptionist / Assistant
• Hair Salon Stylist / Junior Stylist
• Salon Manager / Owner
• TV / Film Hair Stylist
• Wedding Hair Stylist

... and so much more!

Candidates who successfully achieve this qualification could progress to Level 2 Hair or Beauty.

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.

There will be a combination of theory, covering the underpinning knowledge required, and training in the required skills to underpin practical competence. Candidates are required to complete practical assessments which are graded at pass, credit or distinction. Functional skills are required and are an essential part of this qualification.

Candidates will work in salon sessions on mannequin head, models, peers and clients, etc. to practice competency regarding assessment criteria.

September 2025

A one year programme in which knowledge is assessed via practical and written assignments. Evidence is generated and presented in a portfolio.

This full time study programme courses may also be available to study on a part-time basis if you are aged 18 or over on 31st August. Please check with Student Services for more details.