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Advanced Hairdressing Techniques: SVQ3

Two hairstyling students washing a client's hair at a salon sink.
Qualification Qualifications Explained
SVQ
Study Mode
Full Time
Duration

1 Year
Start date
Aug 2026
Campus
East End
Apply now

Course overview

Take your creativity — and your career — to the next level.

This advanced course builds on your existing hairdressing skills and takes them into the professional, creative arena. You’ll gain the confidence, technical ability and industry experience needed to work independently as a stylist or progress into senior-level roles within salons or freelance settings.

Through creative workshops, you’ll explore advanced cutting, colouring and styling techniques, working with L’Oréal, GHD and other leading brands to achieve industry-recognised certifications and up-to-date professional practice.

You’ll develop an online digital showcase portfolio and style boards that highlight your creative talent and support your employment prospects in this ever-evolving, trend-led industry.

Training takes place in live salon environments, giving you real experience with clients and commercial standards.

This course is ideal for:

  • Stylists who are ready to advance their creative and technical skills.
  • Hairdressers who want to specialise in colour, cutting or contemporary styling techniques.
  • Professionals aiming to build confidence and independence in a live salon environment.
  • Learners with ambition to progress toward senior stylist, salon educator or self-employed roles.

What you will learn

Your studies combine hands-on salon experience, theory and portfolio development, covering:

  • Creative Cutting Techniques – advanced shapes, textures and combination styles.
  • Creative Colouring & Lightening – balayage, foiling, toning and correction services.
  • Creative Styling & Dressing Hair – fashion-forward and occasion looks.
  • Client Consultation & Service – communication and professional standards.
  • Promotional Activities – planning and delivering creative campaigns.
  • Personal and Professional Development – reflecting on your progress and career goals.

📸 Assessment Methods:

  • Online assessments to measure theoretical understanding.
  • Practical observation in live salon sessions.
  • Professional discussion, reflective diary and portfolio of evidence.
  • Written assignments, case studies and project work.
  • Compulsory work experience placement with community or industry partners.
Joy, SBQ Level 3 Hairdressing student, demonstrating hair colouring techniques in a college salon using a mannequin head.

Meet Joy – SVQ Level 3 Hairdressing 💇🏾‍♀️✨

Joy Balogun is currently studying SVQ Level 3 Hairdressing, developing her skills in highlights, lowlights and a range of cutting techniques.

With previous experience in Afro-Caribbean hair, including braiding and twisting, she’s expanding her expertise and building confidence for her future career. Her goal is to continue into employment and keep growing her professional skills.

To book a haircut, colour or treatment with our student stylists, call the number on screen.

View on YouTube

Entry requirements

✅ NQ Level 5 Hairdressing or equivalent qualification.

✅ A strong interest and enthusiasm for creative and professional hairdressing.

✅ Applicants who do not meet the entry criteria may be directed to an alternative course.

ℹ️ Due to Health & Safety, Awarding Bodies stipulations or Legislation set by Governing Bodies - you must be 16 years old at the start of this course.

ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language

  • If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment  here at the College.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this course can work as:

💇 Freelance or Self-Employed Hairdresser

🏙️ Senior Salon Stylist or Colour Technician

🎨 Creative Stylist or Session Worker

🧑‍🏫 Salon Educator or Brand Ambassador

Future prospects

Graduates can progress to:

  • HNC/HND qualifications in Hairdressing, Salon Management or Creative Industries
  • Employment in high-end salons, creative teams or self-employed freelance work
  • Further specialist training in colour correction, bridal styling or advanced cutting

This qualification provides a direct route to industry recognition and enhanced earning potential — helping you establish yourself as a creative professional within the modern salon environment.

Close-up of an intricate woven braid hairstyle on a mannequin head.
Hairdresser weaving an elaborate braid into a mannequin's hair.
Hairstyling student carefully styling a mannequin’s hair in a salon.
Close-up of a hairdresser preparing hair dye in a bowl.
Hairstylist straightening a woven braid hairstyle on a mannequin.
Hairstyling student in a hijab styling a client's hair in a salon.

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Find out about our Hair and Beauty Department

Read What Our Student Said

Video Transcript – Joy: SVQ 3 Advanced Hairdressing Techniques

Hi guys, my name is Joy Balogun. I'm doing hairdressing SVQ3.

I'm actually doing highlight just now. I've learned a lot of things on this course. Highlights, highlights and lowlights, different types of cutting.

I'm looking forward to go straight to work and learn more skills.

Before this course I was actually working in Afro-Caribbean hairdressing, so I've learned different kinds of Afro-Caribbean hair, you know, braiding, twisting.

When I have my own salon, I don't just want to focus on African-Caribbean hair, so I want to do all type of hair. 

You can come down to the college and then book in whatever you want to do, haircut, color, anything at all. To book, call it the number of the screen.

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