Level 3 in Hairdressing

Applications Open - Monday 27 October 2025

Applications Close - Open all year

How to Apply - Please apply through KentChoices and use your KentChoices login which your school should provide.

PLEASE NOTE - Popular courses can fill up quickly so apply early to avoid disappointment

If you have any queries regarding the courses, please contact EKC Ashford College

Application Limits - You can make up to 5 applications to Colleges within the EKC Group, that is:

• EKC Ashford College
• EKC Broadstairs College*
• EKC Canterbury College*
• EKC Dover College
• EKC Folkestone College*
• EKC Sheppey College

*Junior Colleges exist in these locations.

Please only add one course or T Level per application, except for A Levels at EKC Canterbury College, where up to 4 A Level courses can be added per application. At your interview, you and the tutors can discuss the best level and courses in order for you to progress.

Hairdressing is a dynamic and fast-moving career path, where styles evolve, client expectations grow, and no two days look the same. If you enjoy experimenting with techniques, refining your craft, and transforming your clients’ ideas into reality, this Level 3 course will help you elevate your talent to a professional level. Building on your existing knowledge, you’ll develop your technical ability, creativity and confidence so that you become a qualified hairdresser. Throughout your studies, you’ll work in our industry standard commercial salons, gaining sought-after experience with clients while using professional equipment and the latest products. As you enhance your work and client care skills, you’ll be ready for your first role in a salon, a higher-level apprenticeship, or even further specialised study such as at university.

On this Level 3 Hairdressing course, you’ll develop the essential skills and knowledge needed to take your career to the next level. Studying with us means discovering a series of specialist topics, including: • Creative cutting • Colour correction • Client consultation • Creative hairstyling • Working with long hair • Organising promotional activities Most of your clients will be found in our industry-standard commercial salons. These spaces give you experience using professional equipment and the latest products, while gaining confidence in a salon environment. Dedicated work experience opportunities are available throughout the year. Taking part in these alongside your College studies encourages you to explore your next steps and enhance your learning.

All assessments are designed to ensure you can demonstrate your practical ability and understanding of professional hairdressing techniques. You’ll be assessed with practical observations in our salons, alongside written assignments and online tests that check your knowledge and understanding. Throughout the course, you’ll also build a portfolio of your work, giving you a visual record of your progress and achievements that you can use for future opportunities.

This study programme is designed to help you move quickly toward advanced jobs, higher education, or apprenticeship opportunities if you know what you want to do next and meet the entry requirements needed for success. Achieving a Level 3 qualification will improve your future earning potential and career choices. It also allows you to progress to Higher Education, Higher Apprenticeships, and Degree Apprenticeships. These can lead to roles like advanced technician or skilled supervisor at Level 3, and eventually to management or professional status as you continue your studies. To study at Level 3, including all T Level and A Level programmes, you will need an average entry score of 5.0 from your best 6 GCSE subjects, ideally including English and Maths.

After completing the Level 3 course, you’ll be a qualified hairdresser and ready to start work, either self-employed, or in a salon. You may also choose to progress onto further study, such as a Level 4 course or a specialised apprenticeship, where you’ll further enhance existing skills. Previous students have also gone to university. Level 3 learner, Jessica, feels that the course has set her up well for her next steps: "It’s great working with real clients because we get to experience what it will actually be like working within a proper salon. We can work on our customer service alongside the technical skills we’re learning. "Thanks to College, I’m really looking forward to the future. I’d love to start my own business and be able to work for myself one day.”