Hairdressing Skills (SCP)

Course overview

This course is specifically for senior phase school pupils while still at school.

This exciting 30-week course will introduce you to a variety of skills required for the Hairdressing industry. At the end of the course, you will be able to showcase the skills you have developed in a project that brings all aspects of your learning together.

You will attend one afternoon per week, building on your skills and knowledge and gaining essential practical experience in our professional training salons and academies. By developing these skills, you will gain greater insight into the Hairdressing discipline, enabling you to progress to full-time studies with us the following year.

Training at Edinburgh College will enhance your employability prospects, as we offer exceptional facilities and highly qualified lecturers. You will work in our salons and studios, providing a realistic industry environment, and gain essential practical experience working with paying clients for high-end product companies such as Dermalogica and Wella, which will further enhance your employability prospects. Edinburgh College is not only a recognised Centre of Excellence by Wella but also houses the Wella Training Studio for Scotland. This amazing collaboration ensures that students receive the most up-to-date training in industry innovations and techniques.

Working with your peers in the college environment allows you to see the progression routes on offer and to gain feedback from students currently on these programmes.

Completion of the course allows progression onto full-time courses, depending on school qualifications.

Please note:

• A key aspect of the course is working with others and developing the communication skills required by a hairdresser. You will be expected to carry out the practical aspects for your colleagues and clients, and you must be able to have services carried out on yourself.
• Schools must purchase a kit and uniform from the College for their pupils - £75

We also ask all students to adhere to the dress code for the department as follows:

• Black Trousers
• Black T-shirt or school shirt
• Black Shoes

If you are interested in being a model for our students or want to try out our star facilities before beginning your studying journey, simply book in for a treatment.

Hair Salons, Beauty Salons and Barbershop | Edinburgh College

• Create an Image Based on a Theme
• Client Consultation and Customer Care Practices
• Shampoo and Treat Hair
• Blow Dry and Finish Hair
• Basic Plaiting and Twisting Hair
• Colour Hair Using Semi-Permanent Colour
• Health and Safety Practices in the Salon
• Working in the Hairdressing Industries

Placement information

• No work placement is required for this course.

How the course is assessed

• All practical aspects of the course are assessed on paying clients within our salons.
• The theoretical aspects of the course are covered under exam conditions, with open-book assessments or multiple-choice questions.

Number of days per week

• 1 afternoon per week 
• Monday at our Granton Campus
• Tuesday or Thursday at our Milton Road Campus

Entry requirements

• No formal entry requirements; however, a selection process will occur during the application process.
• Pupils must be in S4-S6 and have a passion for the industry.

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

• You will be invited to attend a college experience day on campus.  
• As part of your course application, we require you to complete a mood board and bring this along with you on the day.

Application Task: Mood board

• Your name
• Mood-board based on a theme of your choice and consisting of hair, beauty and fashion images that you like and inspire you – this can be a physical mood board or digital (information on how to create a mood board).

The College Experience Day will involve:

• Group Information session with Q & As
• Tour of the department
• Team working
• Review of Moodboard

Successful applicants will thereafter receive an offer of a place and a link to enrol on the course  

Hair and Beauty Applicant Privacy Notice

English Proficiency Requirements

Progression and Articulation Routes

Successful completion of the course allows progression onto full time courses in August – (NB level of course is dependent on school qualifications):

• SVQ Level 1 Hairdressing
• Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing
• NPA Barbering (SCQF Level 5)

Career options

• Progression to higher level Hairdressing or Barbering courses next academic year 
• Opportunity into employment within the Hairdressing industry at a junior level