City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma in an Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector

Summary: Take your first steps into the hair and beauty industry, learn some basic skills and gain some practical experience.








Course description: This course offers 3 pathways depending on preferred choice of study and future career aims
The pathways are:

Beauty – skin care, manicure, pedicure, nail art, photographic make up

Media Make up Artistry – photographic make-up, manicure, styling and dressing hair

Hairdressing – basic colouring techniques, styling and dressing hair, shampoo and condition
Each pathway will consist of practical elements relating to the chosen industry. All pathways will however contain units on health and safety, personal presentation, introduction to the sector and creating an image.
Work experience is not mandatory but you will be encouraged to undertake some work experience within the industry.
You will have the opportunity to gain hands-on practical experience in our training salon, Solutions. Solutions is a fully functioning commercial salon offering a full range of professional consultations and using top brands such as Wella and ghd. All of our tutors are highly qualified with excellent industry experience and all work hard to ensure our students benefit from this wealth of knowledge.
You will have opportunities to participate in College events such as fashion shows, the Royal Norfolk Show, competitions and visiting hair and beauty shows such as Salon International and Professional Beauty in London.
The quality of teaching, learning and assessment in hairdressing and beauty therapy is good and reflects the good outcomes for learners. Teachers plan lessons well and have good vocational knowledge and experience. This helps learners develop their skills to appropriate commercial standards. Learners gain very good employability and commercial skills (Ofsted 2013)
Good English and maths skills are essential for most jobs and courses you will progress onto. The Government has made it a priority for students to improve these skills and your course programme will reflect this key aim. Depending on your grades when you start your course, you could either study Functional Skills or GCSEs alongside the other parts of your course programme. Please check our English and Maths page for further information. 









Entry requirements: Minimum of 2 GCSE grade E in English and Maths or equivalent.
All applicants will be interviewed where you should be be able to demonstrate commitment, motivation and enthusiasm to succeed on the course.









Assessment: This qualification is assessed through written assignment and practical observation. You will be required to model for each other to gain practical competence in a variety of skills. 









Academic progression: Students that have successfully completed the programme may continue onto a range of Level 2 courses including Hairdressing, Beauty or Hair and Media Make Up.
Future options at City College Norwich also include Level 3 and 4 qualifications. 









Career progression: The hair and beauty industry is a vibrant, dynamic and creative sector offering fantastic employment and training opportunities. This sector alone employs nearly a quarter of a million people and is worth over £6 billion to the UK economy.
There are a wide variety of jobs for qualified hairdressers, including salon and spa work both in the UK and abroad. Hairdressers also work in hotels, on cruise liners, in hospitals and health clubs. With further experience, they can also become salon owners or follow careers in hair design for photography and fashion, teaching and training and work for manufacturers of hairdressing products as a technical advisor.
Students could also look for an Apprenticeship for further training or set up as self employed.
For further information check:

National Careers Service - Hairdresser job profile

National Careers Service - Beauty therapist job profile

National Careers Service - Make Up Artist job profile

Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) 









Costs: For UK students aged under 19 years old on the 31st August prior to the start of your course, your tuition fees are free. In addition to this there will be costs for equipment, uniform and trips and financial support for this could be available depending on your circumstances.
Uniform and kit costs for 2015/16

Beauty kit £24.50 plus £50 for uniform

Hairdressing kit £69.30 plus £10.50 for uniform

Media Make Up and brushes £50.78 plus a hair and beauty kit plus £10.50 for uniform

Text book £25.50
Please contact check our Finance pages for fee information and any financial help that may be available.