Women's and Men’s Hairdressing City and Guilds Level 2 VRQ

Applications Open – 3rd November 2025

Applications Close – 30th June 2026

Entry Requirements –We do have entry recommendations for some courses, especially A-levels, as we would not want you to start a course that would not be suitable for you. We want to give you the best chance of future success.

The course programmes are flexible: students can mix Level 3 courses with Level 2 courses, or A-levels with BTECs. We provide impartial advice and guidance and seek to put you on the courses you want and are likely to be successful in.

Students are expected to study up to 3 A level equivalent subjects (this can be from either A levels and/or Level 3 BTEC subjects) building their own personalised combination of Level 3 subjects OR a full time Level 2 course.

The sixth form runs on a flexible timetable with some courses running until 6.00pm. This flexibility means we can offer as much as possible, to as many as possible, as often as possible.

How to Apply – Applications are now closed. If you would like to apply for clearing, please email sadkins@canterbury.kent.sch.uk with your name, contact details, predicted grades, and the subjects that you wish to apply for.

You will cover all of the technical and non-technical units to achieve a Level 2 qualification. Examples: cutting, colouring, styling, permanent waving, and consultation.

You will complete assessments and assignments to enhance your knowledge for all units. You will work within the school’s salon Education Cuts, working on clients and undertaking work experience in one of Canterbury’s salons.

The aims of this qualification are to encourage students to:

• Stimulate and develop enjoyment of hairdressing
• Develop and demonstrate skills, including practical and research skills
• Develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other
• Appreciate how the subject develops and how combining training in-house and work experience can increase employability
• Recognise the value of training and forging links with industry

Students will cover the following areas within this qualification:

• Health and safety in the salon
• Consultation
• Product knowledge
• Cutting ladies hair
• Styling ladies hair
• Perming ladies hair
• Colouring ladies hair
• Reception duties
• Work experience one day per week in a local salon which is monitored for progression

Practical assessments are carried out in the hairdressing salon on clients, friends or family. The criteria are set out by City and Guilds. Written assessments are in the form of assignments also set out by City and Guilds.

Students must have a passion for hairdressing. Due to the written component of the course, students are recommended to have a reasonable Level 3/4 standard of written English.

Vocation

This can lead on to a job in the industry. Examples of the range of jobs include:

• Managerial
• Cruise liners
• Technicians
• Theatre work
• Drama company
• Film work
• Freelance
• Photographic
• Senior stylist
• Television work

Academic

This can lead on to a barbering course and the opportunity to progress to Level 3. This can also lead to further study in beauty and holistic treatments.