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Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy

Level 1 Certificate Introduction to the Hair & Beauty Sector VTCT – Beauty

No formal qualifications needed. This is your introduction to the beauty side of the industry, where you'll start learning the basics of professional presentation in a salon, try out nail art, basic make-up and manicure treatments, and work out where you want to specialise at Level 2. Everything you do sits inside a real working salon environment.

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How you’ll learn

Try the Basics. Find Your Specialism.

This year is designed to introduce you to the beauty side of the industry. You’ll learn how to present yourself professionally in a salon, and try out nail art, basic make-up application and basic manicure treatments. It’s practical, hands-on, and pitched at the level of “I’m interested, but I don’t know exactly what I want to specialise in yet.”

You’ll work in the Salon at The Hub, our professional on-campus salon where students carry out treatments in a real working environment. By the end of the year you’ll have a clearer idea of which Level 2 specialism suits you: Beauty Therapy, Nail Technology, or Hair and Media Make-Up.

Mandatory units

  • Introduction to the hair and beauty sector
  • Presenting a professional image in a salon

Choose from

  • Nail Art Application
  • Basic Makeup Application
  • Providing Basic Manicure Treatment
Entry and progression

What you need and where it leads

  1. Entry requirements
  2. This course Level 1
  3. Further study

Entry requirements

  • No formal qualifications required (entry is on an individual basis)
  • A genuine interest in beauty as a career
  • Successful interview with our team

If you haven't yet achieved Grade 4 in Maths or English, you'll keep working towards them alongside your course, built into your timetable.

Not sure you meet these? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.

Further study

See all 8 courses

At this college

At North Lindsey College

Careers it can lead to

  • Beauticians and Related Occupations £12.24 an hour
  • Hairdressers and Barbers £12.22 an hour
  • With further study or experience Hairdressing and Beauty Salon Managers and Proprietors £29,400 a year

Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).

Our facilities

Salon at The Hub

As part of your course, you'll work in Salon at The Hub, our professional on-campus salon. This is where treatments happen on paying clients in a real working environment.

  • Salon at The Hub

    professional on-campus salon with genuine treatments on paying clients.

  • Masterclasses from industry professionals

    take part in workshops and talks that connect the training to how the industry actually works.

  • Work placements

    take part in workshops and talks that connect the training to how the industry actually works.

Beauty therapy nails salon
Real Salon · Real Clients · Real Treatments
Amelia

Amelia

Level 3 Beauty Therapy Treatments

Student Voice

“

With the support and opportunities provided by staff and tutors, I developed valuable skills through interview preparation and guidance. This gave me the confidence to go self-employed and enter the beauty industry with assurance in my work.

Read more student stories
For parents and carers

Supporting your child’s journey

GCSE Support Built In

If your child needs to resit GCSE English or Maths, it's built into the timetable, not bolted on as an extra. They'll get structured support alongside their main course.

About student support

Learning Support

If your child has additional learning needs, our support team works with them from day one. Adjustments are put in place early so they can get the most out of their course.

About learning support

Financial Support Available

Bursaries are available, and free meals are provided for those who qualify. If cost is a concern, there's help, and it's straightforward to apply.

Financial support info

Your next step

Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.

Ready to Start in Beauty?

Applications for September 2027 are open. Apply online in 10 minutes.

Apply online

Want to visit first?

FE Open Event – 12th January 202712th January 4:30pm to 7:00pm

Book your place

What happens after you apply

1

You apply

Apply online and you’ll get a confirmation email.

2

You meet your tutor

We’ll invite you to an interview to talk through the course and your plans, and make sure it’s right for you.

3

You get an offer

We’ll email you a conditional or unconditional offer.

4

You get ready to start

Come to a taster session in the summer, then enrol in August, bringing your results.

Read our full guide to applying