Excellent student support services
We’ve got a great student support network offering advice and guidance on careers and future employment, finance, health and welfare, additional learning support and much more.
Hair and Beauty - Level 1
Overview
IMPORTANT
Applications are now open for academic year 2026/2027, but our full-time courses are still being finalised. If your chosen course changes, we'll contact you to offer a suitable alternative that matches your goals. For more information, call our Enquiries Team on 0808 100 3626.
This course has been designed to introduce you to a range of practical skills from across the hair and beauty industries.
This qualification has been designed to prepare you for employment as a supervised assistant/apprentice or for further learning in the hairdressing and beauty therapy industries within college.
What will I study?
- Introduction to the hair and beauty sector
- Presenting a professional image in a salon.
Once you have gained knowledge and skills in all areas of hair and beauty, you will choose a specific pathway:
- Barbering
- Beauty Therapy
- Hairdressing
- Makeup Artistry.
Why study hair and beauty at West Notts College?
Industry-leading products
You’ll received the latest training techniques on how to use the very latest products from companies such as Wella and Eve Taylor.
Pop-up salons
You’ll have the opportunity to showcase your passion and skills in two pop-up salons, College Cuts (our barbering learning company) and Elegant Make-up Artistry.
At College Cuts, you’ll engage in a variety of tasks that nurture your business expertise, boost your confidence, and prepare you for future employment – whether you choose to work for someone else or establish your own business.
At Elegant Make-up Artistry, you’ll not only refine your make-up artistry skills, but you’ll also develop a range of transferable skills like teamwork, customer care, communication, and money handling.
Industry-standard facilities
Once you have gained the appropriate skills and experience necessary, you are invited to work and learn in Revive, our commercial hair and beauty salon. Revive is open to the public and includes facilities that are unrivalled in the area. Recently, we’ve opened a laser clinic for skin rejuvenation and permanent hair removal. Find out more about Revive.
Real work placements
Work placements are a key part of your course, giving you real experience in the workplace.
Previous students have completed placements with employers such as:
- Center Parcs
- Bombshell
- CC Aesthetics & Beauty
- Clairabella’s
- Elle K’s Hair Design
- House of Coco
- KH Hair
- Million Dollars Boutique
- Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid Ltd
- Olive Lounge
- The Salon Park Lane
- Ultima Hair & Beauty
- Your Beauty Doctor by Dr.Jess.
And many more local employers.
- Entry requirements
This course is only available to those aged 16-18 years.
- GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 2-9.
If you are not studying a traditional GCSE programme, we accept alternative qualifications like Functional Skills and vocational courses. If you are not planning on sitting GCSE exams, we can also support you with completing an English Language and Maths assessment. Please contact our admissions team for further details:
- Assessment
The course is assessed by continuous theory and practical assessments. The theory is assessed by written tasks where access to a computer is essential
The practical assessments are performed in the Revive salon on paying clients
All theory and practical work will be collated and presented in an evidence portfolio.
- Progression
- Careers
For advice and guidance on the careers this course may lead to, contact the our award-winning Careers and Employability team. Our fully qualified and experienced professional advisers specialise in providing high-quality, impartial careers advice and guidance, and can support you in exploring the career pathways this course or similar courses may offer.
- Qualifications gained
- Award in an Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector
- City & Guilds
- Additional costs
- All hair and beauty courses require a mandatory kit and uniform.
At West Notts College, our students benefit from excellent facilities and equipment across all campuses. However, some courses require students to purchase specific tools, equipment, or specialist clothing to fully participate in practical learning.
Visit our kit lists page to see what clothing and equipment you’ll need, and start preparing for your studies in September.
- Studying Hair and Beauty at West Notts College
Discover what it is really like to study with us. Explore the full range of courses available, hear from our students, see the facilities you will train in, and discover the employer partners you could work with.
You can also browse galleries and get a real feel for college life before you apply.
Disclaimer
Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information on the website is correct, some details may be subject to change. West Nottinghamshire College reserves the right to make amendments to the courses, dates, fees or other details, and to make cancellations or changes if numbers are insufficient. In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel a course we will refund your fees in full, but we regret we are not able to offer any refund if you withdraw from your course or fail to start, and you will be liable to pay any outstanding fees that may be due.