Level 3 Diploma in Women's Hairdressing 2025-26

Want to become a qualified Hairdresser? This Level 3 course will provide you with all the skills and knowledge required to work in the Hairdressing industry! You will develop your skills in our commercial salon working with real paying clients and receive specialist training through our Lee Stafford Education Academy!

This course will cover:
• Advanced Cutting
• Advanced Colouring
• Colour correction
• Advanced Styling
• Design and create an image
• Supporting colleagues with Consultation

As well as the following Lee Stafford recipes:
• 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, highlights.

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

... and so much more!

You can move onto Barbering, Beauty or Level 4 Hairdressing.

Level 2 Hairdressing or potentially experience in the industry as a senior stylist. All applicants will be interviewed and cover an initial assessment in a hairdressing related task. The required literacy and numeracy skills are 3 or more GCSE.

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, merit or distinction.

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

Theory is assessed through online exams following each unit. Learners will be expected to complete at least 36 hours work experience in a salon.

September 2025

One-year programme