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Barbering (Level 2) (19+) — Part-time

Course outline

This course is perfect if you want to work as a barber, it will give you the foundation barbering skills required to work in a barbers shop.

You need to be highly motivated and demonstrate a keen interest in your chosen subject. The ideal candidate will be a good communicator and listener with excellent social skills, demonstrate a degree of creative skills and flair with a good personality and physical stamina. Computer skills are also an essential requirement.

NVQ Level 2 in Barbering is a qualification that provides knowledge, understanding and core skills required to be a barber.

This is a great course for anyone who wants a career in barbering. You will be taught all the basic skills to be able to have a lifelong career in this incredible industry.

Mandatory units include:

  • Advise and consult with clients
  • Shampoo, condition and treat the hair and scalp
  • Develop and maintain your effectiveness at work
  • Cut men’s hair using basic techniques
  • Cut facial hair to shape using basic techniques
  • Dry and finish men's hair
  • Create basic outlines and detailing in hair

Optional units:

  • Perm and neutralise hair; or
  • Colour and lighten men’s hair

You can expect to be taught by a dedicated team of lecturers who work in the industry and have up to date relevant skills and experience.

This course is a hands-on learning experience to ensure you gain a solid grounding in the main barbering techniques using high quality products.

Our barbering lecturers will offer you a wide range of expertise, guidance and support whilst delivering an interesting course. 100% commitment to our learners is our passion and sharing our industry experience is a huge enjoyment we will provide.

You will work in a commercial salon carrying out services/treatments on paying clients in addition to studying the underpinning knowledge required to pass the end of unit tests. Practical skills will be assessed when carrying out services on paying clients which will be mapped against the City and Guilds grading criteria of pass or refer.

    How to apply for this course

    Apply online to start in 2025/26.

    Want to find out more first?

    Get in touch by hitting the button below and filling out our enquiry form.

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    Location Date / time Fees / reductions
    Adams Building
    Stoney Street
    Nottingham
    NG1 1NG

    Start: Tuesday 9th September 2025

    End: Tuesday 23rd June 2026

    Time: 11:00am - 6:00pm

    Tuition fees may be waived or reduced for Level 2 Courses depending on your personal circumstances. Please see our Fee and Financial Support page for more information.

    Fees shown below are based on 2024/25. Fees for 2025/26 are yet to be confirmed.

    Tuition fee: £1,500

    Course code: C021756 / Q021757

    Qualification

    City & Guilds NVQ Level 2 in Barbering
    Level Level 2
    Entry requirements

    You will need:

    • To be aged 19+
    • You’ll need 4 GCSEs at grades 9–3 (A*–D), including English and maths – one of English or Maths must be grade 9–4 (A*–C).

    Functional Skills Level 1 can be used as equivalent to GCSE grade 3 (D) and Functional Skills Level 2 can be used as equivalent to GCSE grade 4 (C) or above.

    19+ learners without evidence of English & maths qualifications will complete an initial assessment. Results will need to reflect a grade of a 3 and 4 in English & Maths.

    All students must undertake and pass a practical dexterity test prior to enrolment to ensure you are suitable for this course.

    Offers of a place on the course are dependent on your qualifications and practical aptitude.

    This part-time route is only available to students who are aged 19+.
    Teaching & assessment

    To achieve this qualification, you'll be assessed through a range of methods including practical observations on paying clients and oral questioning, in addition to online unit end tests and preparing a portfolio of evidence.

    The practical assessments are graded Pass or Refer with the online unit tests being a Pass or Fail.

    Progression

    There are a variety of progression routes open once the Level 2 barbering qualification has been achieved.

    • NVQ Level 3 Barbering
    • VRQ Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing for Colour Technicians
    Additional information

    You will be required to purchase a kit and costs will be available at interview, in addition you will be expected to wear a uniform.

    You will be expected to wear professional dress that is all black.

    It is essential that you have access to a number of male clients to bring along to sessions to ensure a quality experience.

    Please note: your timetable may include one late evening per week.

    If you are aged 19 or over you may still be eligible for funding. Check out our Financial Help pages to find out more!

    If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.
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