Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing

What You’ll Learn

Teaching Approach

Training at Alan d is hands-on from the start. You’ll be cutting hair by day two. The programme is structured to build your skills progressively. You’ll start with cutting and styling, move into perming and long-hair work, then spend the final phase on colour. Theory is kept to the essentials and delivered when you need it, not front-loaded into weeks of classroom work. The bulk of your time is spent with hair in your hands, in a training environment that operates like the real thing.

Curriculum Highlights

Cutting Hair Programme (Weeks 1-5)

• The 9 Alan d Foundation Haircuts
• Consultation skills like identifying the right shampoo and conditioning products for different hair types
• Shampooing techniques, including professional head massage
• Blow-drying techniques for smooth and curly finishes
• Setting and dressing hair, including roller-setting and long hair event styling
• Correct tool selection for each styling technique
• Client care and salon protocol

Perming & Long Hair (During Weeks 5–9)

• Perming and neutralising techniques
• Long-hair styling for events and occasions

Colouring Programme (Weeks 5–9+)

A one-day Alan d Colour Theory seminar covering the fundamentals of how colour works and how to choose the right product for each client, followed by hands-on application:

• Colour theory fundamentals: understanding different colour types from semi-permanent through to quasi-permanent, lighteners and bleach
• The theory behind colour choice and product selection
• Root coverage techniques
• Full-head colour application
• Foil and highlighting techniques
• Working on mannequin heads before progressing to live models

Course Structure

The first 5 weeks are spent in the Induction Class, working on mannequin heads to learn the Alan d Foundation Cutting System alongside basic blow-drying, styling and perming techniques. You then move into 4 weeks of colour work, starting with the monthly Alan d Colour Theory seminar before progressing through root tints, full-head colours and highlighting. Throughout the remainder of the programme, you’ll work on a mixture of live models and mannequins to complete your assessments across all eight units. The pace depends partly on your own speed of learning, so you’re not held back, and you’re not rushed.

Hands-On Experience

You’ll start by practising on mannequin heads, building technique and muscle memory through repetition. Once your trainers are confident in your ability, you’ll move on to live models from Alan d’s model bank. Working on real clients with different hair types, textures, conditions and colour histories is where everything you’ve practised starts to make proper sense. Your formal assessments are carried out on live models, so by the time you qualify, you’ve already proven your skills on real people.

Assessment

This is a VTCT-regulated qualification. You’ll be assessed across eight units to complete the diploma:

• Style and finish hair
• Set and dress hair
• Cut hair using basic techniques
• Colour and lighten hair
• Advise and consult with clients
• Shampoo, condition, and treat the hair and scalp
• Develop and maintain your effectiveness at work
• Perm and neutralise hair

Assessment is practical and carried out on live models. The course also includes VTCT online testing to complete the qualification. Your trainers monitor your progress throughout and provide ongoing feedback so you know exactly where you stand. Upon successful completion of all eight units, you’ll receive the VTCT and Alan d Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing.

Is This Course Right for You?

Entry Requirements

None. You don’t need any particular qualifications for this course. Spoken English is essential since you’ll be communicating with clients and following instructions during training. This course is ideal for those looking to be work-ready upon completing the programme.

This Course is Ideal For

• People who want to become fully qualified hairdressers with a nationally recognised qualification
• Complete beginners who are serious about starting a career in hairdressing
• Anyone who wants to be work-ready and employable in a salon upon completion
• Those looking for a comprehensive programme that covers cutting, colouring, perming and styling in one course
• Career changers who want a structured route into the hairdressing industry

What You’ll Achieve

Your Qualification

Upon completion, you’ll receive the VTCT and Alan d Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing. This is a nationally recognised, Ofqual-regulated qualification and the industry standard for working hairdressers in the UK. It’s the qualification most salon employers look for when hiring, and it’s recognised internationally across the hairdressing industry.

Skills You’ll Develop

By the end of this course, you’ll be a qualified hairdresser ready to work on the salon floor. You’ll be able to cut, colour, perm, style, set and dress hair to a professional standard. You’ll understand how to consult with clients, select the right products, and work safely and effectively in a salon environment. The Level 2 NVQ Diploma is the qualification that allows you to work in a salon, freelance, or progress to advanced training.

Where to Go Next

With your Level 2 NVQ Diploma, you can start working in a salon straight away. If you want to develop more advanced skills, the natural progression is the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing, which takes your cutting and colouring to an advanced level and gives you an internationally recognised Level 3 qualification. Alternatively, if you want to add barbering to your skillset, you can progress to the Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Barbering.

Our Hairdressing Academy

Located in Hayne St, EC1, Barbican, adjacent to Farringdon Elizabeth Line, Barbican exit, our London Hairdressing School is in the heart of the City of London making it easily accessible by public transport. You will learn in a realistic working environment using salon-professional only products.

Course Investment

Tuition Fee

Full Price: 12,000  inc. VAT + VTCT Registration Fee & equipment

Payment Plan

With our payment plan, you can secure your place with a £1,200 deposit, then pay the remaining balance in 18 weekly instalments of £600, starting from your course start date.

• Deposit to secure your place: £1,200
• Week 1 (start date): £600
• Week 2 to Week 18: £600

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 VTCT and Alan d certificates 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 throughout, giving you hands-on experience with the brands you’ll encounter in professional environments.

Additional Costs

VTCT Registration Fee and equipment are charged separately. Professional equipment kits are available (you keep these permanently). Dress code is smart casual, no uniform required.

Learn from Industry Professionals

Academy Expertise

Alan d has 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 learners start each month, and you’ll be training alongside students on various programmes. This course is taught by all our educators across the cutting, colouring and styling phases, each with extensive salon and teaching experience.

FAQs