Hairdressing - Apprenticeship Level 3

Essentials

Duration: 2 Years Full-time
Start date: 2nd September 2024
End date: 5th June 2026
Information Event: Yes

Course fee: FREE (Eligibility criteria may apply)

What is an Apprenticeship?

As an apprenticeship you are employed as full-time members of staff and typically work for an employer three to four days a week. One or two days a week is spent at college, studying for nationally-recognised qualifications in the same profession as the apprenticeship.

• You must find your own employer.
• Some employers may require GCSEs on entry.
• It might be possible to do an apprenticeship with a current employer.
• You work all year round, but your College classes run from September to July.

Employers pay for the day the apprentice is in college, meaning you will receive a full-time wage at least  in accordance with the national minimum wage

Details and restrictions

• Apprentices must be aged 16 or above. There is no upper age limit, which means you can start an apprenticeship at any stage of your career.
• Potential apprentices can be existing or new employees including graduates or about to take up a permanent paid employment offer. An existing employee must be in a new job that requires a substantial amount of learning and skills development.  You must be employed by a company that has a base in Northern Ireland and is registered as an employer with HMRC and be contracted to work a minimum of 21 hours per week with one employer.

Course Content

The Level 3 apprenticeship is aimed at those individuals who wish to build and develop their existing hairdressing skills. These are some of the advanced and creative units you will undertake:

• Contribute to the Planning & Implementation of Promotional Activities - plan an activity such as the hairdressing competition and implement it
• Creatively cut hair - creating restyle cuts including a precision cut
• Colour hair using a variety of techniques & Colour Correction - lightening hair and use of toners, resolve basic colour problems, creative colour techniques and corrective colouring using different types of products
• Creatively styling and dressing long hair - using conventional and non-conventional items and the use of accessories and added hair

What will I gain? 

• NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing.
• Good practical skills.
• The ability to work as part of a team.
• Essential Skills in Numeracy, Literacy and ICT 
• Access to the Digital Learning Environment (DLE)

Special Features

You will be allocated a personal tutor to help you throughout the course. The College also offers learning support and guidance.

Assessment Methods

Continuous assessment throughout the course and online portfolio building.

Course Update

Please note from September 2025, all Ballymena courses are planned to move to the new Ballymena campus at Farm Lodge.

• You must be in paid employment at least 21 hours per week including college day release.
• You must be aged 16 years of age or above
• Apply online and attend an information session.
• Take part in an aptitude test (if applicable).

All relevant paperwork should be uploaded to the admissions portal prior to being considered for an apprenticeship, this should include your:

• Employer response form
• Vision verification form (Electrical Installation only)
• One form of official photographic ID
• Official proof of your National Insurance number eg Letter from HMRC

To access the forms and for further details visit our Apprenticeship page 

Following successful completion of the Level 3 ApprenticeshipsNI you may be able to progress to higher education – HNC/HND/Higher Level Apprenticeship – or employment in the field you have studied in.