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16-18 College

Hair and Beauty

Bring joy to the world by creating a beautiful hair style or a make-up look that everyone will want to recreate. Our 16-18 year old Hair and Beauty courses are known for being enjoyable jobs, which are different from each day.

At West Lancashire College, you will be taught in our state-of-the-art Hair and Beauty Lounge; consisting of a hair salon, sauna room and beauty workspace. Taught by our experienced teachers, you will learn the principles of hair, beauty, make-up and most importantly, how to provide the very best customer service.

Hairdressing and Barbering students will benefit from an exciting collaboration with Andrew Barton London Education (ABLE), a highly regarded VTCT-endorsed initiative founded by Andrew Barton, celebrity hairdresser. The partnership provides students with exclusive industry insights, expert-led training and career focused skills to prepare them for success in the sector.

Next Event

College Tours

West Lancashire College Monday 1st September 2025 Friday 31st July 2026 Find out more

Beauty Therapy Level 2

The Level 2 diploma in Beauty Therapy is a qualification that has been specifically designed to develop your practical skills.

Length: 1 Year
Study: Full Time
Start date: 1st September 2025
Location: West Lancashire College

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Beauty Therapy Level 3

The Level 3 course in Beauty Therapy is designed to give you all the skills required to become a professional Beauty or Spa therapist.

Length: 35 Weeks
Study: Full Time
Start date: 1st September 2025
Location: West Lancashire College

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Hairdressing Level 2

Our Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing aims to provide students with a range of essential practice skills and knowledge, which will ultimately help you to seek employment or further training.

Length: 1 Year
Study: Full Time
Start date: 1st September 2025
Location: West Lancashire College

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Hairdressing Level 3

This course is designed to provide you with a range of specialist practical skills and technical knowledge, which will equip you to gain future employment or further training and development within the hairdressing sector.

Length: 1 Year
Study: Full Time
Start date: 1st September 2025
Location: West Lancashire College

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Media Make-Up Level 2

The Media Make-Up Level 2 course is a fantastic opportunity to be trained in media make-up for the film, TV and theatre industry.

Length: 1 Year
Study: Full Time
Start date: 1st September 2025
Location: West Lancashire College

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100%*

pass rate for Hair and Beauty Level 1

*data from Proachieve September 2024

100%*

pass rate for Beauty Therapy Studies Diploma Level 2

*data from Proachieve September 2024

Good

Ofsted Report 2024

Neil Farrell

Head of Curriculum for Creative Service Industries

Having studied Sport and Exercise Science through college and university, I began my career in the sport and active leisure industry before moving into the education sector. During my time at West Lancashire College, I have managed a wide breadth of Curriculum areas and different types of learning provision. This has included 16-18 provision, adult education, apprenticeship provision, Higher Education, community learning programmes through to provision for adults and young people with SEND. I strongly believe that education has the power to transform lives and that everyone should have access to high quality educational opportunities.

Emma Forgie

Hairdressing Lecturer

I am a passionate, experienced educator with a wealth of knowledge and experience in industry, with Master Colour Expert status. I love being a part of students' success and creativity for the ever-growing industry, as well as helping create hairdressers of the future.

Alison Barford

Hairdressing Lecturer

I have worked in the hairdressing industry for over 30 years, with 15+ years as a hairdressing educator. I enjoy seeing our students reach their potential and progressing in the hairdressing industry. I also enjoy developing my own skills and passing this on to students. As a lecturer, I ensure students reach their full potential and achieve their hairdressing qualifications by managing and providing an effective learning environment. Students will gain the essential knowledge, skills and confidence to prepare them to work in the hairdressing sector.

Natascha

Hairdressing Alumni Student

I am currently studying the Level 2 Hairdressing course at West Lancashire College, where I am really enjoying learning new skills that I never thought I would have. Both of my tutors, Emma and Alison, have supported me throughout and they have shown me how to conquer my fears and my ‘I can’t do it’ frame of mind. I was selected to take part in a Creative Hair Team within my course and since being in that team, my skills have improved more and more. I am excited to see what my future in the Hairdressing industry looks like.

Maisie

Hairdressing Alumni Student

I chose to study on the Level 2 Hairdressing course as you are able to be creative, whilst you learn. My tutors are very supportive and have helped to me progress, as well as gain confidence in all aspects of the course. At the start of the year, I was selected to be part of the Creative Hair Team and because of that, I’ve seen a big improvement in myself and the hairdressing skills that I have. In the future, after completing Level 3, I would like to work in a salon and eventually have my own business.

Claire Procter

Beauty Therapy Lecturer

I have been in the Spa and Beauty industry for more than 20 years. I completed my training at Skelmersdale College and enjoyed every minute of it. My career started working on board a cruise ship as a Spa and Massage Therapist. This enabled me to travel around the world visiting many countries doing the job I love. After this I lived and worked abroad finally returning to the UK being self-employed. I have worked at West Lancashire College for 19 years and teach level 1 – 4 in beauty therapy. This is a growing and ever-changing industry where there is always new treatments and techniques to learn. Being a teacher is very rewarding especially when seeing the learners achieve their qualifications and move on to employment within our industry

Samantha Pillai

Beauty Therapy Lecturer

I have worked in the Beauty industry since 2001 in which I have gained a lot of experience and knowledge to pass onto our students. I joined Steiner Transocean and became a senior spa therapist on board their luxury cruise liners, before turning to teaching for the last 13 years. I have a strong passion for the beauty industry and a keen eye for detail in everything that I do

Lilly-Mae

Beauty Therapy Alumni Student

I studied Beauty Therapy at West Lancashire College and received great care from my teachers Claire and Sam. I am now working as a Beauty Therapist at Ragdale Hall Health Spa.

Sophie

Beauty Therapy Level 2 Student

I chose to study Beauty Therapy because I really enjoy the topics that the course offers. The practical elements of the course are what I really enjoy the most, as I can see where to improve my skills. The support that I receive from my tutor’s is great. In the future, I would like to work in a salon.