How to become a hairdresser
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To become a hairdresser, you can take a hairdressing apprenticeship, a paid salon job with training to Level 2. It takes between 1 and 2 years, and the training is free. Level 2 prepares you to work as a junior stylist, and Level 3 as a senior stylist.
You can also take a Level 2 hairdressing course at college. Most take a year full time, and some run part time for adults. Or start as a trainee in a salon and learn on the job. Whichever you choose, your qualification will usually be from City and Guilds or VTCT.
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Get an apprenticeship
Salons take on apprentices and train them alongside their stylists, with time at a college or academy. The salon pays your wage, and you pay nothing for the training.
The Level 2 apprenticeship takes up to 2 years. You learn to shampoo, cut, colour, style and finish hair, and to look after clients.
You need to be 16 or over and not in full-time education. Employers usually ask for some GCSEs, including English and maths.
From April 2026, you earn at least £8 an hour if you're under 19 or in your first year. After that, you get at least the minimum wage for your age.
Start at college
College hairdressing courses run from Entry Level to Level 2. You practise in a training salon, on models and paying clients.
Full-time Level 2 Diplomas usually take a year. Many are for 16 to 18 year olds leaving school, but some colleges take adults too. Some of the smaller Certificates run part time. At some private academies, you can take a fast-track Level 2 in a few months.
Entry depends on the college. Some ask for a few GCSEs at grade 3 or 4, including English and maths, or a Level 1 first. Others ask for no GCSEs at all, just an interview. Some courses teach beauty or make-up alongside hair.
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Check what you can get freeStart as a trainee in a salon
Some salons take on trainees and teach them on the job. Your employer would expect you to take a part-time course to qualify, at a college or their own training school.
You might start as a salon assistant, shampooing hair and getting the salon ready for clients.
Hairdressing qualifications
| Qualification | Level | How you take it | What it gets you | On JobYay | Cost to you |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressing professional apprenticeship | 2 | A paid job in a salon, with training, for about 2 years, from age 16. | The apprenticeship and its Level 2 Diploma for Hair Professionals, so you can work as a stylist. | 20 vacancies | Nothing for the training |
| Level 1 Diploma in Hairdressing, or NVQ Certificate in Hairdressing and Barbering | 1 | At college, often over a year, either part time or with other subjects. | The basics of salon work, and a step on to a Level 2 if you're new to salons. | 35 courses for adults | Check what you can get free |
| Level 2 Certificate, Diploma or NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing | 2 | At college, the Diploma usually takes a year full time, and the smaller Certificate is sometimes part time. The NVQ Diploma is assessed on clients in a working salon. | Work as a junior stylist, then go on to a Level 3. | 286 courses for adults | Check what you can get free |
| Level 2 Diploma in Hair and Media Make-Up | 2 | Full time at college, usually for a year. | Hair and make-up skills for salons, TV, theatre and photography. A way on to Level 3 media make-up. | 45 courses | Check what you can get free |
| Level 3 Certificate, Diploma or NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing | 3 | After a Level 2, about a year, full time or part time. The NVQ Diploma needs a job in a salon. | The step up to senior stylist, with advanced cutting, colour and creative styling. | 184 courses for adults | Check what you can get free |
| Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing for Colour Technicians | 3 | Once you have a Level 2, usually a year full time. | Advanced colour and colour correction, for work as a colour specialist. | 21 courses | Check what you can get free |
| Advanced and creative hair professional apprenticeship | 3 | Paid salon work with training for about 18 months, once you have a Level 2 or experience to match. | Senior stylist skills, such as precision and creative cutting, colour correction and smoothing. | 2 vacancies | Nothing for the training |
| Level 4 Diploma in Salon Management | 4 | Part time or full time, once you hold a Level 3 in hair or beauty. | The skills to run a salon, such as managing staff, sales and client care, as a manager or owner. | 6 courses | Check what you can get free |
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Train to be a senior stylist
A Level 3 teaches advanced cutting, colouring and creative styling. It prepares you to work as a senior stylist.
You'll normally need a Level 2 before you start. At college, it's usually a year, full time for the Diploma or part time for the Certificate.
You can also take it in a salon job, as a Level 3 hairdressing apprenticeship lasting about 18 months.
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Short courses add services you can offer, such as hair extensions, bridal hair or men's cuts. Others protect you and your clients, such as preventing contact dermatitis or spotting the signs of skin cancer.
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Check what you can get freeWhere this can take you
A new hairdresser earns around £19,000 a year, rising to about £30,000 with experience. Expect 37 to 40 hours a week on your feet, including some evenings and weekends. In time, you could move up to senior stylist or salon manager, or open a salon of your own.
You could also train or assess hairdressing students, or style hair for theatre, film or TV.
Questions people ask
What qualifications do you need to be a hairdresser?
Hairdressers train for a Level 2 in hairdressing, then a Level 3 to become a senior stylist.
By law, anyone can work as a hairdresser, but a salon that trains you will expect you to qualify. You can choose to join the Hair and Barber Council's state register, and trainees join free.
How long does it take to become a hairdresser?
It takes from a few months to about 2 years to qualify at Level 2, depending on how you train. An apprenticeship usually takes about 2 years, and a college course about a year, full or part time.
Some private academies run fast-track courses, and the quickest take a few months. As a trainee in a salon, there's no set length.
Can you become a hairdresser as an adult?
Yes, and adults often come to hairdressing as a career change. You can start an apprenticeship at any age, as long as you're not in full-time education.
Some colleges also teach Level 2 and Level 3 part time, on courses for adults.
Can you learn hairdressing online?
Not for a full qualification. Hairdressing qualifications are assessed on the hair you cut, colour and style for clients or models, in a salon or college.
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Are there free hairdressing courses?
Yes, you may be able to do a hairdressing course free. On an apprenticeship, your employer and the government pay for the training, whatever your age.
For a course, it depends on how old you are, where you live and any qualifications you already have.
Can you work for yourself as a hairdresser?
Yes, experienced hairdressers can go freelance, renting a chair or space in a salon, usually with their own kit. Some work as mobile hairdressers, visiting clients at home.
With experience, you could also open your own salon, and a business qualification can help you run it.
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