Hairdressing (SfW) National 4

What is special about this course?

The hairdressing industry includes people who cut and style hair for both men and women, as well as people who work to improve the health of the hair and scalp. There is a steady demand for hairdressers and barbers in salons big and small throughout Scotland.

You will learn about customer care, shampooing, conditioning, basic scalp massage and blow-drying, general salon duties, reception skills, and health and safety issues. You'll also look at current fashion trends and styles.

Entry requirements

You don’t need passes in specific subjects to join this course, but you need a positive attitude and you should be willing to learn new skills, and undertake a successful interview.

This Course has four units:

  • Hairdressing: Salon Awareness
  • Hairdressing: Working in the Salon
  • Hairdressing: Employability Skills
  • Hairdressing: Creativity

You will develop an awareness of the various roles, responsibilities and career opportunities in hairdressing. You'll also learn about health and safety in the salon and the demands of the job of a trainee hairdresser.

You will learn to carry out practical tasks in customer care, reception and maintaining a safe and hygienic work area. You will also learn more specific skills in shampooing and blow-drying techniques. This will be done in a realistic context, with emphasis on developing general employability skills such as following instructions carefully, seeking feedback and using this to improve skills.

You will have the opportunity in the Employability Skills Unit to consider the general skills and attitudes identified by employers as important in hairdressing. You will evaluate your own performance in these skills in a range of practical activities, and plan and set goals for improvement in order to enhance your employability profile.

In the Creativity Unit, you will explore current trends and develop their own ideas and interpretation of current trends. You will plan the resources and support needed to create your own style on a mannequin head. This will help to build confidence, skills and a sense of the importance of creativity in hairdressing.

How will I study my course?

  • Part Time
  • Skills for Work

You will be taught by a college lecturer at either your local Argyll College centre or in your school salon.

How long will my course last?

1 Academic year.

Where can I study my course?

Start date

In most schools this course will begin in June.

Fees

For the latest information on fees please see our fees policy.

What can I do on completion of my course?

After this course you might consider undertaking Skills for Work: Hairdressing National 5 at school, or an SVQ in Hairdressing at college. You may also want to apply for a Modern Apprenticeship in a salon

Is there more information available online?

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This course is part of our schools-link senior phase programme and is embedded in your option choices at school. If this course is offered by your school speak to your Guidance Teacher and request an application form.

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at UHI Argyll. UHI Argyll operates a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion and/or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.