Level 1 Hairdressing

Course Overview

This course introduces you to a mixture of hair and beauty units to give you the breadth of the industry that you are entering. The course will incorporate Level 2 skills in to the practical sessions in order to stretch your skills in preparation for Level 2. We would love you to come along to an open evening to witness our amazing facilities for yourselves.

Entry Requirements

Three GCSEs at Grade 3 and successful completion of pre-interview written task*.

*The College reserves the right to ask for a school reference if required.

What the course covers

Nescot’s Hair & Beauty Academy has been through some exciting changes. We have completely refurbished the training salons and theory room and are now delighted to have a state of the art, commercial salon in partnership with Toni & Guy on site. All of our team are excellent teachers as well as senior-level hairdressers and beauty therapists with outstanding industry experience.

All Nescot Hairdressing staff have been trained by Toni&Guy in their cutting and colouring techniques and we use this approach with our hairdressing teaching here at the College.

Toni&Guy provide:

• Two workshops/demonstrations on these techniques each year for our hairdressing students held at their prestigious Academy in Central London
• Motivational and success recognition opportunities to reward highly successful Nescot students, including the opportunity for backstage access at London Fashion Week
• Nescot hairdressing students with salon work experience and details of job opportunities, (subject to them demonstrating the right skills and attitudes necessary).

Units you will cover on this course:

• Shampooing and conditioning
• Skin care
• Introduction to the hair and beauty sector
• Presenting a professional image
• Styling women’s hair
• Plaiting and twisting hair
• Basic make up application
• Providing basic manicures
• Colour hair using temporary colour

Timetable and assessment

• You will be continually assessed on your practical and written work.
• Theory lessons where you will prepare for your exams.
• Practical lessons where observations will be carried out.
• A work placement to gain industry knowledge
• Weekly tutorial support to continue to develop your employability skills
• English and maths functional skills
• Personal and social development skills

Assessment includes written assignments and practical observations.

Work Experience is a part of this course, the hours and dates will be determined by the course tutor. Work experience can be up to a maximum of two weeks on an external placement, you are encouraged to source your own placement with support from the WEX Team and your course tutor. Where external placements are not possible you will be expected to take part in simulated work experience organised by the college.

Fees and funding

Please note:

• Students aged 16 to 18, or those aged 16 to 24 who have a valid EHCP, and are studying Further Education courses are not normally charged course fees
• Adults may need to pay a fee depending on their personal circumstances. This will be assessed against the relevant Funding Body eligibility criteria at point of enrolment

If you don’t qualify for fee remission, the fees for 2026/27 will be:

£960 (plus registration fee to be advised at enrolment)

Fees are for 2026/27 entry and apply to students eligible for home fee status enrolling to funded programmes. The fees quoted are subject to personal circumstances and will be confirmed at the time of your enrolment, depending on eligibility criteria. For more information about financial support for students, please click here or email studentfinance@nescot.ac.uk