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16-18 College

Hair and Beauty

Bring creativity, confidence and style to life with a career in Hair and Beauty. Whether you're creating stunning hairstyles, delivering professional beauty treatments or crafting the latest make-up trends, this exciting industry gives you the opportunity to help people look and feel their best. With every day bringing new clients, challenges and opportunities, no two days are ever the same.

At West Lancashire College, you'll train in our state-of-the-art Hair and Beauty Lounge, featuring a professional hair salon, beauty therapy facilities and dedicated treatment areas. Guided by experienced industry professionals, you'll develop practical skills in hairdressing, barbering, beauty therapy and make-up artistry, whilst learning the importance of exceptional customer service and client care.

Hairdressing students also benefit from an exciting partnership with Andrew Barton London Education (ABLE), a prestigious VTCT-endorsed initiative founded by celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton. This unique collaboration provides exclusive industry insights, expert-led training and valuable career-focused skills, helping you build the confidence, experience and professional standards needed to succeed in the Hair and Beauty industry.

Next Event

October Open Event

West Lancashire College Monday 12th October 2026 4:30pm - 7:00pm Find out more

Beauty Therapy Level 1

Our Beauty Therapy Level 1 course has been developed to provide students with the stepping stones to start a successful career in the industry.

Length: 1 Year
Study: Full Time
Start date: 2nd September 2026
Location: West Lancashire College

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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: 2nd September 2026
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: 2nd September 2026
Location: West Lancashire College

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Hairdressing Level 1

Our Hairdressing Level 1 course has been designed for students that are beginning their journey in the industry. The course will provide students with the foundations required to progress onto our Level 2 course, as well as within their career.

Length: 1 Year
Study: Full Time
Start date: 2nd September 2026
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: 2nd September 2026
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: 2nd September 2026
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 at both college and university, I began my career in the sport and active leisure sector before moving into education. During my time at West Lancashire College, I have managed a diverse range of curriculum areas and learning provision. My experience has included 16 to 18 provision, adult education, apprenticeships, Higher Education, community learning programmes, and provision for young people and adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This broad experience has given me a deep understanding of the varied educational pathways available and the importance of creating opportunities for all learners to succeed. I firmly believe that education has the power to transform lives and that everyone should have access to high-quality learning opportunities. I am passionate about supporting learners to achieve their goals, realise their potential, and progress towards successful futures, regardless of their starting point.

Emma Forgie

Hairdressing Lecturer

I am a passionate and experienced educator with a wealth of industry knowledge, holding Master Colour Expert status. I take great pride in supporting students as they develop their creativity, skills, and confidence for a career in this ever-evolving industry. Helping to inspire and shape the hairdressers of the future is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.

Alison Barford

Hairdressing Lecturer

I have worked in the hairdressing industry for over 30 years, including more than 15 years as a hairdressing educator. I am passionate about helping students reach their full potential and progress into successful careers within the hairdressing industry. I also enjoy continuously developing my own skills and knowledge, which I am able to pass on to my students. As a lecturer, I strive to create an effective and supportive learning environment that enables students to achieve their hairdressing qualifications and develop their confidence. Through their studies, students gain the essential knowledge, practical skills, and professional behaviours needed to prepare them for a successful career in the hairdressing sector.

Samantha Pillai

Beauty Therapy Lecturer

I have worked in the beauty industry since 2001, gaining a wealth of experience and knowledge that I am passionate about sharing with our students. Early in my career, I joined Steiner Transocean and progressed to become a Senior Spa Therapist on board its luxury cruise liners, developing both my technical expertise and customer service skills while working in a fast-paced international environment. For the past 13 years, I have dedicated my career to education, helping learners develop the skills, confidence, and professionalism needed to succeed within the beauty industry. I have a strong passion for the sector and a keen eye for detail, which I bring to every aspect of my teaching. Supporting students as they achieve their qualifications and progress towards rewarding careers is one of the most fulfilling parts of my role.

Claire Procter

Beauty Therapy Lecturer

I have worked in the Spa and Beauty industry for more than 20 years. After completing my training at Skelmersdale College, I began my career as a Spa and Massage Therapist on board a cruise ship. This role gave me the opportunity to travel the world, visit many different countries, and gain valuable industry experience while doing a job I loved. Following this, I lived and worked abroad before returning to the UK to become self-employed. I have now been teaching at West Lancashire College for 19 years, delivering all Beauty Therapy qualifications. The Spa and Beauty industry is constantly evolving, with new treatments, techniques, and innovations emerging all the time. Being a teacher is incredibly rewarding, particularly when I see learners achieve their qualifications, develop their confidence and skills, and progress into successful careers within the industry.

Natascha

Hairdressing Alumni Student

I studied the Level 2 Hairdressing course at West Lancashire College, where I enjoyed learning new skills and techniques that I never thought I would develop. Both of my tutors, Emma and Alison, supported me throughout my studies and helped me overcome my fears and my "I can't do it" mindset. I was selected to be part of the Creative Hair Team, which gave me the opportunity to further develop my skills and gain valuable experience. Since joining the team, my confidence and abilities improved significantly. I was excited about the opportunities ahead and looked forward to building a successful career in the hairdressing industry.

Maisie

Hairdressing Alumni Student

I chose to study the Level 2 Hairdressing course because it allowed me to combine creativity with practical learning. My tutors were incredibly supportive and helped me progress throughout the course, building my confidence in all aspects of hairdressing. At the start of the year, I was selected to be part of the Creative Hair Team, which provided me with valuable opportunities to develop my skills further. Since joining the team, I have seen significant improvements in both my confidence and my technical abilities. After completing Level 3, my ambition was to work in a salon and eventually establish and run my own business.

Wiktoria

Hairdressing Alumni Student

I had wanted to be a Hairdresser from a young age. I thoroughly enjoyed gaining work experience in the on-site Hair and Beauty Lounge, taking part in NCG competitions, where I achieved success, and learning from the Stylebook guest speaker. These experiences helped me develop my skills, confidence, and industry knowledge, while giving me valuable insight into a career in hairdressing.

Claire

Hairdressing Alumni Student

Having completed Level 1 Hairdressing while still at school, I wanted to further develop my skills and pursue my passion for the industry. I thoroughly enjoyed the work experience I gained in the on-site Hair and Beauty Lounge, where I had the opportunity to learn new techniques, work with real clients, and build my confidence in a professional salon environment. The experience also allowed me to develop new friendships and gain valuable insight into the day-to-day realities of working in the hairdressing industry. It helped me strengthen my practical skills, increase my confidence, and prepare for a future career in the sector.

Millie

Hairdressing Alumni Student

As I wanted a career in Hairdressing, this course was the perfect choice for me and my future ambitions. I thoroughly enjoyed my work experience in the on-site Hair and Beauty Lounge, where I worked with real clients and developed my practical skills and confidence in a professional salon environment. It was also exciting to take part in a range of competitions, including AHT, NCG, and The Lancashire Colleges' Skills Competition. These experiences challenged me to showcase my abilities, develop my creativity, and gain valuable industry experience, helping to prepare me for a successful career in hairdressing.

Sophie

Beauty Therapy Alumni Student

I chose to study Beauty Therapy because I was genuinely interested in the topics covered on the course. The practical elements were my favourite part, as they gave me the opportunity to develop my skills and identify areas for improvement. The support I received from my tutors was excellent, and they encouraged me throughout my studies. In the future, I hope to pursue a career working in a salon.

Lydiah

Beauty Therapy Alumni Student

I have always been interested in Beauty Therapy and believed it was an excellent industry to pursue as a career. I particularly enjoyed learning about electrical treatments, as I found them both fascinating and engaging. One of the highlights of my time at West Lancashire College was taking part in the Lancashire Colleges' Skills Competition, which was a fantastic experience and helped me further develop my skills and confidence. My next step was to begin working full-time at the spa where I completed my work experience, allowing me to build on the knowledge and experience I gained during the course and continue progressing within the industry.

Ellie

Beauty Therapy Alumni Student

Beauty Therapy was the right course for me, as I had always been interested in skincare and had already practised a wide range of beauty treatments on myself, friends, and family. My favourite parts of the course were facials and brow treatments, as I found them both relaxing and rewarding and felt that these were areas in which I excelled. I also enjoyed learning about the anatomy, physiology, and biology behind beauty treatments, which I found extremely interesting. Completing work experience in the Hair and Beauty Lounge gave me the opportunity to work with real clients, helping me build confidence in booking appointments, answering telephone calls, and developing an understanding of what it is really like to work in the beauty industry.

Kara

Beauty Therapy Alumni Student

I chose to study Beauty Therapy because I had a strong interest in pursuing a career within the industry. The course helped me develop my skills significantly, broadening my knowledge and confidence across a range of beauty treatments. The on-site work experience in The Hair and Beauty Lounge was particularly valuable, providing an excellent opportunity to put my learning into practice, work with real clients, and gain first-hand experience of the beauty industry.

Rihanna

Beauty Therapy Alumni Student

I had always dreamed of working in the beauty department on board cruise ships, and this course gave me the skills, knowledge, and confidence to work towards that goal. I particularly enjoyed learning about starting and running my own business, as well as gaining valuable practical experience in the Hair and Beauty Lounge. Working with real clients helped me develop my professional skills, build confidence, and gain a greater understanding of the beauty industry. The course provided a strong foundation for my future career and helped me take important steps towards achieving my ambitions.

Lilly-Mae

Beauty Therapy Alumni Student

I studied Beauty Therapy at West Lancashire College and received excellent support from my tutors, Claire and Sam, throughout my time on the course. Their guidance and encouragement helped me develop the skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to progress within the industry. I am now working as a Beauty Therapist at Ragdale Hall Health Spa, fulfilling my career ambitions in a role I thoroughly enjoy.