Masterclass Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing & Barbering

What You’ll Learn

Teaching Approach

Training with us is hands-on from the start. You’ll be cutting hair by day two. The Masterclass is structured into three clear phases: hairdressing first, then colour, and finally barbering. Each phase builds on the last, and the approach stays the same throughout — essential theory delivered when you need it, then straight into practical work. The bulk of your 26 weeks is spent with hair in your hands, in a training environment that operates like a real salon.

Hairdressing: Cutting & Styling Programme (Weeks 1–5)

During the first 5 weeks we will be focusing on cutting and styling. Here are some of the things we will be covering:

• Our 9 Foundation Haircuts
• Consultation skills: identifying the right shampoo and conditioning products for different hair types
• Shampooing techniques, including professional head massage
• Blow-drying and setting techniques for smooth and curly finishes
• Roller-setting and long hair event styling
• Correct tool selection for each styling technique
• Perming and long-hair styling techniques
• Client care and salon protocol

Hairdressing: Colouring Programme (Weeks 5–9+)

One-day 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

Barbering Programme (Final 6 Weeks)

Once you’ve completed your hairdressing qualification, you’ll move into the barbering class to learn the techniques that are specific to men’s hair and grooming:

• Scissor and clipper-over-comb techniques
• Use of scissors, clippers and trimmers
• Blending and fading techniques
• Moustache trimming and beard shaping
• Wet shaving techniques
• Creating basic outlines and detailing in hair
• Salon reception duties

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 Colour Theory seminar before progressing through root tints, full-head colours and highlighting. During this time, depending on your own speed of learning, you’ll be assessed across the hairdressing units of the qualification. Once your hairdressing diploma is complete, you’ll spend your final 6 weeks in the barbering class, covering scissor and clipper techniques, fading, blending, beard work and wet shaving, with assessments on live models throughout.

Hands-On Experience

You’ll start by practising on mannequin heads, building technique and muscle memory through repetition across both the hairdressing and barbering phases. Once your trainers are confident in your ability, you’ll move on to live models from our model bank. Working on real clients, with different hair types, textures, conditions and requirements. Your formal assessments are carried out on live models in both disciplines, so by the time you qualify, you’ve proven your skills on real people across both ladies’ and men’s hair.

Assessment

This is a VTCT-regulated qualification. You’ll be assessed across 13 units in total — 8 for hairdressing and 5 for barbering.

Hairdressing Units:

• 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

Barbering Units:

• Cut men’s hair using basic techniques
• Cut facial hair to shape using basic techniques
• Create basic outlines and detailing in hair
• Assist with shaving
• Fulfil salon reception duties

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

Is This Course Right for You?

Entry Requirements

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

This Course is Ideal For

• People who want to work in a unisex salon and need qualifications in both hairdressing and barbering
• Complete beginners who want the most comprehensive route into the industry
• Anyone looking to maximise their employability by qualifying in both disciplines in a single programme
• Career changers who want to be fully qualified and work-ready at the end of their training
• Those considering working on cruise ships, freelancing, or opening their own unisex salon

What You’ll Achieve

Your Qualification

Upon completion, you’ll receive the VTCT and Alan d Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing and Barbering. This is a nationally recognised, Ofqual-regulated qualification covering both disciplines. It’s the credential that tells employers you can work confidently on both ladies’ and men’s hair, and it’s recognised internationally across the hairdressing and barbering industry.

Skills You’ll Develop

By the end of this course, you’ll be a fully qualified hairdresser and barber. You’ll be able to cut, colour, perm, style, set and dress ladies’ hair, and cut, fade, blend, shape and shave men’s hair, all to a professional standard. You’ll understand how to consult with clients across both disciplines, select the right products, and work safely and effectively in a salon environment. This is the qualification that makes you employable in any unisex salon, barbershop, or freelance setting.

Where to Go Next

With your Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing and Barbering, you can start working in a salon or barbershop straight away, go freelance, or explore opportunities on cruise ships. If you want to develop more advanced skills, the natural progression is the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing, which covers creative cutting, advanced colour techniques, colour correction and long hair work. For advanced barbering, you can progress to the Level 3 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: £15,600  inc. VAT + VTCT Registration Fee & equipment

Payment Plan

Secure your place with a £1,000 deposit, then pay the remaining balance in 20 weekly instalments of £730, starting from your course start date.

• Deposit to secure your place: £1,000
• Week 1 (start date): £730
• Week 2 – 20: £730

When taking out a payment plan for your course, there are no interest charges if you choose financing through us, no credit checks and no third-party finance. Just a straightforward weekly payment plan.

What’s Included

Your course fee covers all tuition across both the hairdressing and barbering phases, 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

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

FAQs