Hairdressing and Barbering (NVQ) (6008)

Last Updated: 12 Apr 2024
To gain the skills you need to work in a hairdressing salon or barber shop -our certificates and diplomas cover a wide range of skills from shampooing, cutting, perming and styling to advanced colour correction.
A Hairdressing NVQ is for anyone who is serious about a hairdressing or barbering career. There are options to suit individual needs and aspirations - and if you are already working in hairdressing, you could develop your skills to become a senior stylist.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Northern Ireland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?
  1. Depending on the level you choose, you will cover topics like: 

• shampooing, blow drying, plaiting and twisting
• cutting and styling hair
• greeting customers and running the salon reception
• advising customers on hairstyles and colours that would suit them
• colouring and dressing long hair
• perming and hair extensions.

To earn these qualifications, you need to show you have got a particular set of skills. You usually work with your training provider to review your current skills and find the best way to gain new ones - perhaps by trying new things at work, or by studying.

NVQs are assessed at work or in a realistic working environment. For each unit, an assessor observes you carrying out different services and checks your understanding. This information will be recorded in your logbook, which then provides formal evidence of your learning.

For these qualifications, you will practise hairdressing, learn the knowledge required and organise your own study. You will record your achievements in a logbook packed with hints and tips from industry experts.

You might also use MHD Academy which provides you with high quality professional video based resources, step by step PDF's, fact sheets, handouts and glossaries.

Which level is right for me?

Level 1
You are looking to be a Hairdressing Assistant.

Level 2
You want to be a Junior Stylist.

Level 3
You already have hairdressing or barbering qualifications and want to become a Senior Stylist.

Level 4
You want a short specialist award to attain specific hairdressing and barbering skills.
What Careers Can This Lead To?
A Hairdressing NVQ can jump-start your career in Hairdressing. With a Level 1 Hairdressing qualification you can get your first Salon Assistant job, and with the higher levels you could become a Stylist and go on to be a Salon Manager.

To run your own salon or specialise in particular hair types or hairdressing treatments, you might want to think about these other qualifications too:

• Level 3 Certificates and Diplomas in Hairdressing - update and learn new skills and techniques
• Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effect, Hair and Media Make-up - update and learn new skills and techniques

• Level 4 Diploma in Management Practices and Advanced Techniques in the Hair & Beauty Sector  - the skills to run your own hair salon.
• Award in Contact Dermatitis Prevention - the techniques to protect customers from infection.

To offer beauty treatments like Nail services and Spa therapy, take a look at our Beauty Therapy qualifications.
What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?
These qualifications are assessed in the workplace or a realistic working environment. The qualifications are likely to call for a variety of assessment methods and the national occupational standards define what is to be assessed. Methods of assessment include: observation of performance, questioning and knowledge assessments, with both online e-assessment and paper tests available.

You must provide learners with a realistic working environment where they can develop their knowledge and practise their skills.

Centres must also provide learners with resources. To help develop the learners' knowledge and skills, we have developed dedicated online support - MHD Academy - which offers high quality professional  videos based resources, step by step PDF's and fact sheets,  schemes of work, lesson plans, individual learning plans, hand-out and worksheets.

To find all the resource requirements, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

There are no age limits or entry requirements to take these qualifications.

Level 1

Level 1 will suit you if you are new to the industry and have little or no experience of hairdressing and barbering. You are looking to be a Hairdressing Assistant.
 
There is one qualification available at this level:
• Level 1 NVQ Certificate in Hairdressing and Barbering.
 
You complete four mandatory units at Level 1 and a number of optional units. Mandatory units are:
• Contribute to the development of effective working relationships
• Shampoo and condition hair
• Prepare for hair services and maintain work areas.
• Blow dry hair

For a full list of optional units, refer to the centre documents section.
What Careers Can This Lead To?
A Hairdressing NVQ can jump-start your career in Hairdressing. With a Level 1 Hairdressing qualification you can get your first Salon Assistant job, and with the higher levels you could become a Stylist and go on to be a Salon Manager.

To run your own salon or specialise in particular hair types or hairdressing treatments, you might want to think about these other qualifications too:

• Level 2 Certificates and Diplomas in Hairdressing and Barbering  - update and learn new skills and techniques
• Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effect, Hair and Media Make-up - update and learn new skills and techniques

• Level 4 Diploma in Management Practices and Advanced Techniques in the Hair & Beauty Sector - the skills to run your own hair salon.
• Award in Contact Dermatitis Prevention - the techniques to protect customers from infection.

To offer beauty treatments like Nail services and Spa therapy, take a look at our Beauty Therapy qualifications.
Level 1 NVQ Certificate in Hairdressing and Barbering (6008-01)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2027 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 1 NVQ Certificate in Hairdressing and Barbering

  • Accreditation No: 601/5909/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: NVQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 23 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 208 - 229 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 230 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £104.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2

Level 2 will suit you if you have some experience in the Hairdressing and Barbering industry. You want to be a Junior Stylist.

There are three qualifications available at this level:

• Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing
• Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Barbering

Depending on the qualification you choose, you complete between six and nine mandatory units and a range of optional units. Mandatory units include:
• Advise and consult with clients
• Shampoo, condition and treat the hair and scalp
• Cut hair using basic techniques.
• Develop and maintain your effectiveness at work

Optional units include:
• Plait and twist hair
• Fulfil salon reception duties.
• Perm and neutralise hair
For a full list of mandatory and optional units, refer to the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?
A Hairdressing NVQ can jump-start your career in Hairdressing. With a Level 1 Hairdressing qualification you can get your first Salon Assistant job, and with the higher levels you could become a Stylist and go on to be a Salon Manager.

To run your own salon or specialise in particular hair types or hairdressing treatments, you might want to think about these other qualifications too:

• Level 3 Certificates and Diplomas in Hairdressing and Barbering- update and learn new skills and techniques
• Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effect, Hair and Media Make-up - update and learn new skills and techniques

• Level 4 Diploma in Management Practices and Advanced Techniques in the Hair & Beauty Sector - the skills to run your own hair salon.
• Award in Contact Dermatitis Prevention - the techniques to protect customers from infection.

To offer beauty treatments like Nail services and Spa therapy, take a look at our Beauty Therapy qualifications.
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing (6008-02)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026 Supportive services: Learning Assistant
Coming Soon (Mar 2015 - May 2015)

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing

  • Accreditation No: 601/5696/x This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: NVQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 64 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 561 - 595 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 640 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £107.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Barbering (6008-04)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026 Supportive services: Learning Assistant
Coming Soon (Mar 2015 - May 2015)

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Barbering

  • Accreditation No: 601/5699/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: NVQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 53 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 452 - 497 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 530 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £125.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

Level 3 is ideal if you already have a Hairdressing or Barbering qualification and want to become a Senior Stylist.
There are three qualifications to choose from at this level:
• Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing
• Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Barbering

Depending on the qualification you choose, you complete four or more mandatory units and a number of optional units from a range. Mandatory units include:
• Provide hairdressing consultation services
• Creatively cut hair using a combination of techniques.
• Colour hair using a variety of techniques

Optional units include:
• Contribute to the financial effectiveness of the business
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of promotional activities.
• Hair colour correction services.
• Develop and enhance your creative hairdressing skills.

For a full list of mandatory and optional units, refer to the centre documents section.
What Careers Can This Lead To?
A Hairdressing NVQ can jump-start your career in Hairdressing. With a Level 1 Hairdressing qualification you can get your first Salon Assistant job, and with the higher levels you could become a Stylist and go on to be a Salon Manager.

To run your own salon or specialise in particular hair types or hairdressing treatments, you might want to think about these other qualifications too:

• Level 3 Certificates and Diplomas in Hairdressing and Barbering  - update and learn new skills and techniques
• Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effect, Hair and Media Make-up - update and learn new skills and techniques

• Level 4 Diploma in Management Practices and Advanced Techniques in the Hair & Beauty Sector - the skills to run your own hair salon.
• Award in Contact Dermatitis Prevention - the techniques to protect customers from infection.

To offer beauty treatments like Nail services and Spa therapy, take a look at our Beauty Therapy qualifications.
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing (6008-03)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026 Supportive services: Learning Assistant
Coming Soon (Mar 2015 - May 2015)

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing

  • Accreditation No: 601/5697/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: NVQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 68 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 541 - 618 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 680 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £138.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Barbering (6008-05)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Barbering

  • Accreditation No: 601/5698/3 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: NVQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 66 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 538 - 618 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 660 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £129.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Additional information for centres

Learning Assistant

LEARNING ASSISTANT IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS QUALIFICATION

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Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

6008 Level 1

Additional documents

Assessment materials

Centre documents

6008 Level 2

Additional documents

Assessment materials

Centre documents

6008 Level 3

Additional documents

Assessment materials

Centre documents

Additional documents

Assessment materials

Centre documents

Purpose and Recognition

19 plus

Purpose

Explore our wider maths & English offer

Our maths & English qualifications underpin our apprenticeships and technical qualifications. They build learners’ confidence with the core skills required for employment, including the capacity to problem solve and use technology effectively. They are also key to triggering conditions of funding.

Find out more

For Learners

Related Qualifications

Browse some of our related qualifications:

> (6911) Contact Dermatitis Prevention

> (6909) Hair and Beauty SCQF

> (3002) Hairdressing

> (6002) Hairdressing and Barbering

> (3001) Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy

> (5450) Higher Professional Qualifications in Technical Salon Management

> (7004) Level 3 Diploma for Advanced and Creative Hair Professionals

See more related qualifications >