Women’s Hairdressing Level 3 Diploma - Hair and Beauty Therapy

Why study Women's Hairdressing Level 3 at Derby?

Take your skills to the next level – become a senior stylist with advanced cutting, colouring, styling, and creative design techniques.
Train in professional salons – gain real-world experience working with clients using industry-leading brands like Wella.
Master advanced techniques – from colour correction and perms to creative hairdressing design, you’ll expand your expertise and confidence.
Step into senior roles – prepare for a career as a professional hair stylist, colour technician, or progress into management and specialist positions.
Experience the industry – enjoy guest speakers, trade shows, Wella studio visits, enrichment activities, and even international trips.
Unlock career potential – open doors that could lead to roles in high-end salons, fashion, film and TV, or even the path to running your own business.

The Level 3 Diploma in Women’s Hairdressing course is designed to provide you with the communication, customer service and practical skills required to meet national occupational standards for, hairdressing.

What you will study

This course will help you to develop and practise the skills required to provide hairdressing services for all hair types, as well as, gaining an awareness of environmental sustainability and the commercial skills that are valued highly by employers. You will study the following units:

Core units

Monitor and maintain health and safety practice in the salon
Consultation support for colleagues on hair services
Cut women’s hair to create a variety of looks
Style and dress hair using a variety of Techniques
Colour hair to create a variety of looks
Creative Hairdressing Design Skills
Perm hair to create a variety of looks
Hair Colour Correction

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

How you will learn

You will learn through a combination of theory-based sessions in the classroom, live demonstrations and practical assignments, working on headblocks and peers in our fully equipped working salons. You will work with top industry standard product lines including Wella and will gain a real-world learning experience through carrying out services on our client base.

Your progress will be fully supported and tracked by our highly experienced tutors who have worked as industry professionals themselves. You will benefit from their vast experience in their area of expertise and their understanding of the industry. In addition, you will have the opportunity to participate in work experience with local employers across Derbyshire.

We offer an enhanced student experience with visits from guest speakers and the opportunity to take part in enrichment activities and study trips to the Wella Salons/Studios, trade exhibitions, international trips and overnight visits to meet industry specialists.

At the end of the programme, you will be able to show your competence in a broad range of professional hairdressing skills and demonstrate responsibility for your work and an ability to work independently.

For adult learners, this can be a blended course. You will learn the theoretical knowledge through self-directed study using work packs and online resources. You will be expected to complete reading and research to support your learning and will find it useful to be able to engage with IT resources, including internet, email and Microsoft Teams.

Careers

Senior Hair Stylist - working in high-end or boutique salons.
Colour Technician / Specialist - specialising in advanced colouring, balayage, highlights, or corrective colour.
Creative Hair Designer - working on fashion shoots, photo shoots, or theatrical productions.
Salon Manager / Supervisor - overseeing staff, client services, and day-to-day salon operations.
Barber - specialising in cutting, styling, and grooming for men.
Hair Extension Specialist - applying and maintaining extensions for clients.
Hair and Beauty Educator / Trainer - teaching hairdressing skills to others with additional qualifications.
Freelance Stylist / Mobile Hairdresser - offering personalised services to clients outside of a salon.
Fashion / Editorial Stylist - styling hair for magazines, runway shows, and advertising campaigns.
Hair Entrepreneur / Salon Owner - starting your own salon, barbershop, or mobile hair business.
Media / TV Hair Stylist - working on television sets, theatre productions, or film projects.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements, but you will ideally have a Level 2 qualification in Hairdressing or previous experience working in the hair sector, and Level 2 English and maths.

Fees and funding

If you are aged 16-18 on 31 August 2025, you will not usually pay tuition fees for your course. Most full-time college-level study programmes are fully funded for this age group.

However, you may still have additional costs, including: travel to and from college, uniforms, kits, and equipment, educational trips, meals while at college, childcare (if applicable).

This is where the college bursary can help support you.

How to apply

Ready to take the next step? Applying is quick and easy, just complete our online application form using the link below.

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Additional information about your studies

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.