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Hair and Beauty

Master the art of massage, learn the latest hair trends and perfect your colouring skills as you prepare to work in professional salons or provide mobile hair and beauty services.

On all courses, you’ll learn the skills and experiences needed for this ever-changing industry in our salons.

Elwick Salon

Our high street quality commercial salon offers a range of hair and beauty treatments under the supervision of our expert lecturers.

Our on-site salon supports your learning experience, giving you a perfect opportunity to practise your new-found skills.

You’ll even work with real clients, from which you’ll gain all-important customer service skills and learn about client care.

“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
Level 3 Hairdressing

Featured news and blogs from Hair and Beauty

Staff Spotlight: Jemma Collier

Our team have years of industry experience and are ready to welcome you into the salon with their knowledge and expertise.

Read the blog to meet Jemma, our Skills Practitioner, and to hear how she helps students in College.

A man blow drying a customers hair

Soul's experience in Barbering

Soul joined our Level 2 Barbering course with the goal of entering a new sector.

We caught up with him to learn more about his experience as an adult learner, and how returning to education has changed his outlook on life.

two students at the loreal hairdressing talk

L'Oreal Paris inspire Hairdressing students

Hairdressing students recently attended an interactive showcase with L’Oréal Paris.

The event, held in Broadstairs, was designed to inspire students about future careers in the hairdressing industry.

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.

Hairdressing scissors

Study Hair and Beauty as an adult

We offer a variety of part-time and 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.

Outside shot of Ashford College

Career prospects

Example:
Massage therapist
£
£36,920
Annual pay
Annual pay is per year, based on full-time employment and on the South East region.
Role description
Complementary health associate professionals use non-mainstream treatments in support of conventional medical treatments.
Data powered by LMI for All

“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
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
Level 3 Women's Hairdressing
Male sat in salon chair smiling at the camera

“This course has honestly changed my whole outlook on life. It’s given me something to focus on. It’s something I genuinely look forward to every week.

I’d never done hairdressing or barbering before I started. Each week my confidence grows and I’m looking forward to what the future holds for my career.”

Soul
Level 2 Barbering

We’re part of six community-based colleges

Our mission is to play a leading role for East Kent in developing the economic and social prosperity of the diverse communities we serve.