Transform your passion for creative hairdressing and aesthetics into a fulfilling career.
Learn the skills and experiences needed for this ever-changing industry in a range of areas, including Hairdressing and Barbering.
Hair and Beauty
Full Time courses
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The Salon
You will train in our industry-standard salon, where you can work with professional equipment on real-life clients.
These will give you the experiences you need to make it in the industry, and put you above the competition.
Our salon is open for appointments throughout the academic year.
Unique Events, Trips and Social Action
We work with local and national industry experts who give students the skills they need to be successful in their future careers.
Examples include Hair Plus Academy, StudX Ear Piercing and Ginger Hair and Beauty, who have been teaching our students the art of Balayage.
Expert Barbers also come in to teach workshops directly to students with a focus on textured hair.
Our students are also proud of the social action they do throughout the year, including hosting competitions to raise money for local causes.
Practical work experiences
As well as working in our on-site salon, our students also get lots of practical work experience in salons across Swale.
These experiences help you understand different client needs, and previous learners have even gone into paid work at their placement salons.
My Work Placement Success: Rosie, Level 2 Hairdressing
18 March 2025
Level 2 Hairdressing learner, Rosie, secured a job after honing her hairdressing skills during a work experience placement at local Salon, Beez Neez.
Adult Courses
At EKC Sheppey College, we offer the Level 2 courses one day a week for our adult learners.
These will help you develop specialist skills in both Hairdressing and Barbering.
We work around your schedule such as your childcare needs so that learning here is as easy and as convenient for you as possible.
We offer specialist support for our adult learners, such as online tutorials when needed.
Our Experiences as Adult Learners – Women’s Hairdressing
31 July 2025
Hear from past and present adult learners, to discover why you should study Hairdressing as an adult at College.
Meet our Lecturer
Jess Hughes
Hairdressing lecturer Jess used to be a student here and is now passing on the skills and knowledge that you need to become a professional.
She loved taking part in competitions such as KFE4Skills and WorldSkills during her studies, and is a key advocate in ensuring you can also gain these key experiences.
How you apply for a course at EKC Sheppey College
Step 1 – Find a subject you’re interested in
Explore our range of subject areas on our website and find a course that interests you.
Step 2 – Apply
Click ‘Apply’ and then follow the steps on the Kent Choices application portal.
Step 3 – Come to an Applicant Day
Come along to an Applicant Day in College, where you’ll discover what studying is like and if the course is right for you.
Career prospects
Example:
Salon Managers
£
£24,440
Annual pay
Annual pay is per year, based on full-time employment and on the South East region.
Role description
Hairdressing and beauty salon managers and proprietors plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources of hairdressing and nail salons, beauty treatment, pet grooming and similar establishments.
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“I loved going to College, it was the best time of my life. It’s so good to have those experiences in College when you start because you understand your career.
“After studying Hairdressing at EKC Sheppey College, I went straight to a local salon in the High Street and grew my career from there.”
Sammy-Jo Thompson
Owner of Beez Neez Salon
“It’s lovely to be able to meet lots of people here, making it a very fun experience studying in the Salon.
“I have been proven wrong in what I thought I could achieve as the College has given me so many skills for my future.
“EKC Sheppey College was the first College where I felt supported.”
Giulia
Level 2 Hairdressing
“I’ve learned before about hair extensions, and I wanted to expand my knowledge, which is when I came across the course.
“I went on a College trip to the ‘Salon International’ expo in London, where you get to learn different things from different hairdressers and companies.
“I can now look back on this experience and see how far I’ve come along the way.”
Naomi
Level 2 Hairdressing
“Hairdressing is always something that I wanted to do but I never had the confidence to do it while I was younger.
“It’s now great that I can do it while I’m an adult. It’s building me life skills and allowing me to work around my children.
“I’m finally getting the skills to do what I want to do.”
Hannah
Level 3 Hairdressing
We’re part of six community-based colleges
