Transform your passion for beauty and aesthetics into a fulfilling career.
Learn the skills and experiences needed for this ever-changing industry in a range of areas, including Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty.
Hair and Beauty
Full time courses
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Elwick Salon
You will train in our industry-standard salons, where you can work with professional equipment on real-life clients.
These will give you the experiences you need to make it in the industry, and put you above the competition.
Our salon and spa is open for appointments throughout the academic year.
Practical Experiences
As well as working in our on-site salons, our students also get lots of practical experiences outside the course, such as working on hair and beauty makoevers for charities in our community.
Skills Competitions
Throughout their course, all our Hair and Beauty students get the chance to take part in competitions, such as the KFE4Skills Awards.
Hairdressing student Sonya came 1st in the KFE4Skills25 Finals, for her Avant Garde look.
Adult Learning
We offer a variety of short courses, specifically designed for adult learners. Whether you’re looking to begin a new career, upskill and add services to your offer or simply learn more about a hobby, we’ve got a course for you.
Why study with us?
Valuable Work Experience
Our department has a dedicated Industry Liaison Officer who works to ensure all students have access to relevant industry placements. In the past students have worked in local salons and spa’s, provided face paint for community events and work with real clients in our onsite Salon.
Give Back to the Community
Students take part in regular social action projects, as part of the College pledge to serve the local community.
These activities can include fundraisers such as sponsored waxes, providing free treatments, and creating items for local care home residents.
Industry Standard Facilities
Learn within our industry standard salon, whilst using top quality products that professionals use in the Hair and Beauty sector.
Unleash your Creativity
Take part in challenges and competitions amongst your peers and other Colleges, as you gain the freedom to mesh your creativity and skill.
Hear from our students
Maisie and Casey have always had an interest in Beauty so they decided they wanted to make a career out of it. They enjoy the course and think College has taught them a wide variety of skills, ready for the workplace.
Their favourite treatment to provide is waxing, both girls find it very therapeutic and satisfying. They both enjoying being able to see a big difference in their clients before and after.
Guest Blog | Jemma Collier – Skills Practitioner
5 November 2024
Jemma, Skills Practitioner for the Hair and Beauty department at EKC Ashford College, introduces herself in today's Guest Blog.
It’s great working with real clients because we get to experience what it will actually be like working within a proper salon, and we can work on our customer service alongside the technical skills we’re learning.
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.”
Jessica Smith
Level 3 Hairdressing
How you apply for a course at EKC Ashford College
Step 1 – Find a course you’re interested in
Explore our courses online and see the wide range of academic opportunities that are available to you.
You can make up to five applications across East Kent Colleges Group’s family of Colleges.
Step 2 – Apply
Click ‘Apply’ on your chosen course, and follow the steps on the application portal.
Early applications are strongly recommended, as they give you the best chance of securing a place on your chosen course.
Step 3 – Receive a decision on your application
After you have applied, a decision will be made on your application.
If you receive an offer, this must be accepted to secure your place on your chosen course.
Career prospects
Example:
Salon Proprietors
£
£24,440
Annual pay
Annual pay is per year, based on full-time employment and on the South East region.
Role description
Hairdressing and beauty salon managers and proprietors plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources of hairdressing and nail salons, beauty treatment, pet grooming and similar establishments.
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“I’ve always had a passion for hairdressing and knew I wanted to do something within Hair and Beauty industry as a career.
“I enjoy colouring the most, and would love to specialise as a colourist in the future because I get to be really creative and fun with my work, and every result is different.”
Phoebe Page
Level 3 Hairdressing
“I qualified as a hairdresser 20 years ago but after years of not doing it, I decided it was time to come back into education to retrain. It was the best decision and I immediately fell back in love with it.
“I’m in a group of other mature students so we’re all on the same wave length and get on really well. It also helps that our tutor is fantastic.”
Lucy Carter
Level 3 Women's Hairdressing
“I guess the biggest fear I had was that I’d feel too old to do the course because I was put into College with people that are younger than me, but everyone just works well together.
“My advice for other adult learners would be to just do it and not be afraid because studying can help you with your career. It doesn’t matter what age you are, if you want to learn something, then do it.”
Skye Webb
Level 3 Women's Hairdressing
We’re part of six community-based colleges
