What A levels do you need to become a hairdresser?

You don't need any. You might be better doing a vocational course rather than a-levels or going straight into work / training.

Skills and InterestsIf you want to be a hairdresser you should:

• be good at working with your hands
• be artistic and creative
• enjoy working with people of all ages and backgrounds
• be able to welcome clients and put them at ease
• be tactful and diplomatic
• be fashion conscious
• be prepared to learn new techniques and methods
• be aware of health and safety issues
• have physical stamina to stand for long periods and work long hours.

EntryYou can enter hairdressing in one of the following ways:

• attending a full-time or part-time college course leading to NVQs/SVQs in Hairdressing. These are available at levels 1 to 3. Please se the Training section for more information
• applying to a salon as a trainee, learning the job from more experienced colleagues and attending college on day release.

If you are aged between 16 and 24 you may be able to do an apprenticeship. Please see the Training section for more information.You can find information on qualifications and career paths in the hairdressing industry on the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) website. Please see the Further Information section for a link to the website. Please note: HABIA do not provide courses and are not able to supply lists of course providers.

TrainingYou can work towards the following NVQs/SVQs:

• NVQ/SVQ Level 1 in Hairdressing - involves learning the basic principles of hairdressing, based on assisting qualified staff in the salon
• NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Hairdressing - covers the essential skills required by a hairdresser
• NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Hairdressing - offers a broader range of units related to the work of senior salon staff
• NVQs/SVQs levels 2 and 3 in Barbering.

City and Guilds Specialist Awards are also available at levels 2 and 3. They are short awards which will enable you to focus on areas including:

• colouring
• colour correction
• dressing long hair
• hair extensions.

You can find details of the NVQs and other qualifications on the HABIA website. Please see the Further Information section.

Higher level qualifications you can do when you are an experienced hairdresser, include:

• City and Guilds Level 4 Higher Professional Diploma in Salon Management
• SQA Higher National Certificate in Salon Management
• HNC/D courses in hairdressing, usually combined with salon management.

You can do foundation degrees in Hairdressing and Salon Management at a few colleges and universities. For entry to these you will usually need:

• one A level/two H grades; and
• five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including English; or
• equivalent qualifications or appropriate experience.

You can do degrees in beauty therapy and hairdressing at several universities and colleges in the UK. To enter a degree courses you will usually need:

• five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3); and
• two A levels/three H grades or equivalent.

Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.For information about foundation degrees see Foundation Degree Forward

To search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

The Freelance Hair and Beauty Federation (FHBF) runs training courses for hairdressers on planning, setting up and managing your business, as well as ongoing training and Continuing Personal Development (CPD). Please see the Further Information section for contact details.Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3).

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland