Foundation Barbering Cutting & Styling

What You’ll Learn

Teaching Approach

Training is hands-on from the beginning. After your initial induction, you’ll start cutting hair on day two, using mannequin heads to learn the shapes and practise how you handle your scissors, comb and clippers. We keep the theory to what you need for the work in front of you, then give you time to repeat each technique until it starts to feel familiar.

Curriculum Highlights

The 5 Alan d Foundation Haircuts Details:

• The 5 Alan d Foundation Haircuts
• Clipper work
• Scissor-over-comb techniques
• Beard and moustache trimming
• Shampooing and styling
• Client care and barbershop protocol

Course Structure

The course starts with an induction before you begin practicing the 5 barbering foundation haircuts on mannequins. As your control improves, you’ll add clipper work, scissor-over-comb, beard and moustache trimming, shampooing and styling. Once you are comfortable you can then start using those skills on live models. Full-time training runs for five weeks, Monday to Friday. You can also attend part-time, provided you train for at least three consecutive days each week.

Hands-On Experience

You’ll start by practising on mannequin heads. Mannequin work lets you repeat a cut without the pressure of having a client in the chair. That repetition helps you build technique and muscle memory before you move to live models from our model bank. Real clients will have different hair types, growth patterns and head shapes, and a trainer will be there to guide you as you adjust your approach.

Assessment

There’s no exam and no formal assessment on this course. Your trainers watch your practical work, correct your technique as you go and give you continuous feedback across the five weeks. When you complete the course, you’ll receive the Foundation Barbering Cutting & Styling certificate.

Is This Course Right for You?

Entry Requirements

None. You don’t need any prior qualifications or experience in barbering to enrol. Spoken English is essential since you’ll be communicating with clients and following instructions during training.

This Course is Ideal For

• Complete beginners who want a basic introduction to barbering
• People who want a basic understanding of cutting men’s hair
• Anyone testing barbering before committing to a regulated qualification
• Beginners who want practical training on mannequins and live models in a working barbering environment

What You’ll Achieve

Your Qualification

You’ll receive the Foundation Barbering Cutting & Styling certificate when you complete the course. This is our own certificate, not a regulated qualification like an NVQ. It records the practical foundation training you’ve completed and gives you a clear route into further barbering study if you decide to work towards a VTCT qualification.

Skills You’ll Develop

By the end of the course, you’ll have a basic understanding of cutting men’s hair and experience using scissors, combs and clippers. You’ll have worked through the 5 barbering foundation haircuts, scissor-over-comb, beard and moustache trimming, shampooing and styling. You’ll also have practised client care and the day-to-day protocol expected in a barbershop.

Where to Go Next

If you want to continue, the Level 3 Certificate in Barbering is the next shorter qualification route. It runs for eight weeks and awards VTCT and academy certificates. For more in-depth training, the Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Barbering – inc. Wet Shaving runs for twelve weeks, includes wet shaving and leads to the full VTCT qualification for people aiming to become work-ready barbers.

Our Barbering Academy

Situated in the heart of London, Barbican, adjacent to Farringdon Elizabeth Line, Barbican exit, our City of London Barbering School is the perfect place to start your Barbering career. You will be learning from some of the top Barber trainers in the industry, using professional Barbering products and tools.

Course Investment

Tuition Fee

Full Price: £3,000  inc. VAT

Early Payment Price: £2,700 (Save 10% when you pay in full at least one month before your start date) + VTCT Registration Fee & equipment

Payment Plan

With our payment plan, you can secure your place with a £500 deposit, then pay the remaining balance in 4 weekly instalments of £625, starting from your course start date.

• Deposit to secure your place: £500
• Week 1 (start date): £625
• Week 2 – 4: £625 per week

When taking out a payment plan with Alan d for your course, there are no interest charges, no credit checks and no third-party finance. Just a straightforward weekly payment plan.

What’s Included

Your course fee covers all tuition, ongoing support throughout your training, and your Alan d certificate upon completion. You’ll train on both mannequin heads and live models as part of the programme. You’ll also use salon-only professional products, giving you hands-on experience with the brands and tools you’ll encounter in professional environments.

Additional Costs

VTCT Registration Fee and equipment are charged separately. Professional equipment kits are available to purchase and you keep them permanently, though if you have your own kit in good condition you’re welcome to bring it. Dress code is smart casual, no uniform required.

Learn from Industry Professionals

Academy Expertise

We have over 60 years of combined industry experience, training hairdressers and barbers. The academy is a VTCT-approved centre, which means training and assessment meet nationally recognised vocational standards. Class sizes are kept small, typically between 1 and 8 students per instructor, so you’ll get individual attention and personalised feedback throughout your course.

A maximum of 10 new learners start with us each month, and you’ll train alongside students on our various programmes in a working salon environment. This course is taught by our barbering educators in the barbering class.

FAQs