1. style and fashion
2. beauty
3. cosmetology and beauty professionals

Curriculum planning for Hairdressing & Barbering qualifications
Tel: +44 (0) 23 8068 4500 Email: customersupport@vtct.org.uk
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Curriculum planning for Hairdressing & Barbering qualifications
Tel: +44 (0) 23 8068 4500 Email: customersupport@vtct.org.uk
Curriculum Planning
The following information will assist you with your curriculum planning for 2015/16.
2014/15 has seen many changes that will inevitably influence hairdressing and barbering qualifications in
the future. Some of these qualifications are still in development (practical Level 4 hair qualifications,
Trailblazer apprenticeships, professional male grooming) and will be available in 2016, but listed below are
the current and new 2015 development qualifications that will be available for delivery from 1 August 2015.
What’s new for you to consider?
Current VRQ and NVQ qualifications
page 2
Qualifications with Performance Points
page 3
Skills Qualifications (Foundation Level)
page 5
New National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) (2014 NOS)
page 6
New Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) (2014 NOS)
page 7
How to choose from the VTCT suite of qualifications
page 8
1. Current VTCT Hairdressing and Barbering Qualifications
All current NVQ and VRQ Hairdressing and Barbering qualifications will remain available for registration for
2015/16 programmes.
To view these qualifications click here.
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Curriculum planning for Hairdressing & Barbering qualifications
Tel: +44 (0) 23 8068 4500 Email: customersupport@vtct.org.uk
2. Qualifications with Performance Points
Further information on performance tables
Qualifications that have been awarded performance points by the Department for Education (DfE) are held
on Comparative Performance Tables, where learner achievements in public examinations and vocational
qualifications in secondary schools and further education sector colleges, are reported.
Key stage 4 (14 – 16 year old learners)
The VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy (VRQ) has been designed in line with
recent policy developments, including the Review of Vocational Education - The Wolf Report (March 2011)
and meets the Department for Education's (DfE's) characteristics for high-quality and rigorous
qualifications. This is the only GCSE equivalent qualification for the hair and beauty sector.
This qualification uses a grading model of Pass/Merit/Distinction/Distinction* (P/M/D/D*), which will improve
student motivation, provide challenge, distinguish between levels of student achievement and ensure
sufficient rigour in assessments.
More information on this qualification can be found on the link below:AM20530 VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy (VRQ)
VTCT is offering a package deal for centres delivering the VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing and
Beauty Therapy (VRQ) alongside a practical skills qualification (page 5) click below for more information:Key Stage 4 – Hair & Beauty
Key stage 5 (16 – 19 year old learners)
Level 2 Qualifications (Technical Certificates) – these are level 2 intermediate vocational qualifications
for post 16 learners who wish to specialise in a specific sector or occupation. They provide learners with the
specialised knowledge and skills, where employers recognise entry to employment at level 2, or used as a
pre-requisite for a Technical Level Qualification.
Level 3 Qualifications (Technical Level) – these are level 3 advanced technical qualifications for post 16
learners who wish to specialise in a specific sector or occupation. They are recognised by employers, are
on a par with A Levels and provide entry to employment, or progression to a higher level qualification.
VTCT has more qualifications included in the hair category of the Performance Tables than any
other Awarding Organisation and they include NVQs in both Hairdressing and Barbering.
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Curriculum planning for Hairdressing & Barbering qualifications
Tel: +44 (0) 23 8068 4500 Email: customersupport@vtct.org.uk
The qualifications listed in the table below are existing VTCT qualifications that are fully funded and derived
from the 2010 National Occupational Standards (NOS).
To view the qualifications in more detail, click on the direct links below:
QN
Qualification title
VTCT
code
GLH
(min)
Credits/
units
(min)
500/7356/4
VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Barbering (QCF)
AH20149
333
37
500/7357/6
VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing (QCF)
AH20147
472
54
500/8976/6
VTCT Level 2 Diploma in Women's Hairdressing (QCF)
AH20167
448
52
500/9040/9
VTCT Level 2 Diploma in Barbering (QCF)
AH20040
466
53
600/1065/4
VTCT Level 2 Diploma in Women's and Men's
Hairdressing (QCF)
AH20225
445
52
500/7386/2
VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Barbering (QCF)
AH30151
334
47
500/7389/8
VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing (QCF)
AH30150
439
58
600/8708/0
VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing Studies (QCF)
AH30506
350
43
600/8709/2
VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Barbering Studies (QCF)
AH30507
363
46
500/8737/X
VTCT Level 3 Diploma in African Caribbean
Hairdressing (QCF)
AH30052
457
53
600/1482/9
VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Women's Hairdressing (QCF)
AH30239
422
52
600/1484/2
VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Barbering (QCF)
AH30240
431
52
601/0556/2
VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty
Therapy (VRQ)
AM20530
120
4 units
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Curriculum planning for Hairdressing & Barbering qualifications
Tel: +44 (0) 23 8068 4500 Email: customersupport@vtct.org.uk
3. Skills Qualifications (Foundation Level)
This new suite of qualifications has been developed to provide a differentiated entry point into the
hairdressing and beauty sector, from entry level 3 (with the emphasis of working on self), level 1 (working
on others – training heads/resources, peers, family, friends), through to level 2 (basic) (working on clients,
friends, family).
These qualifications have been developed to ensure there is direct progression through the suite and onto
commercial level qualifications at level 2. These qualifications are suitable for both pre/post 16, for; schools,
FE and private training environments.
The level 1 and level 2 suite of skills qualifications are graded Pass/Merit/Distinction. Learners will be
assessed on their ability to demonstrate a high level of practical skill, communication ability and attention to
detail throughout the service.
This is a list of the available qualifications below with a direct link to the structures:
Entry Level 3 (ungraded - working on self):





Entry Level 3 Award in Hair and Beauty Skills
Entry Level 3 Extended Award in Hair and Beauty Skills
Entry Level 3 Certificate in Hair and Beauty Skills
Entry Level 3 Extended Certificate in Hair and Beauty Skills
Entry Level 3 Diploma in Hair and Beauty Skills
60 GLH
120 GLH
150 GLH
180 GLH
390 GLH
Level 1 (graded - working on others):





Level 1 Award in Hair and Beauty Skills
Level 1 Extended Award in Hair and Beauty Skills
Level 1 Certificate in Hair and Beauty Skills
Level 1 Extended Certificate in Hair and Beauty Skills
Level 1 Diploma in Hair and Beauty Skills
60 GLH
120 GLH
150 GLH
180 GLH
390 GLH
Level 2 (Basic) (graded - working on clients):





Level 2 Award in Hair and Beauty Skills
Level 2 Extended Award in Hair and Beauty Skills
Level 2 Certificate in Hair and Beauty Skills
Level 2 Extended Certificate in Hair and Beauty Skills
Level 2 Diploma in Hair and Beauty Skills
This is a direct link to two sample units within the level suite of qualifications;
Sample unit: UHB8
Sample unit: UBT12
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60 GLH
120 GLH
150 GLH
180 GLH
390 GLH
Curriculum planning for Hairdressing & Barbering qualifications
Tel: +44 (0) 23 8068 4500 Email: customersupport@vtct.org.uk
4. New National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ)(2014 NOS)
All current VTCT NVQ Hairdressing & Barbering qualifications will remain available for delivery for 2015/16
programmes, and can be found here.
For a period of time (1 May 2015 – 31 July 2016) VTCT will have two suites of NVQs available for delivery:
1. The current NVQs which are based on the 2010 NOS and some have been allocated
performance points (L2 and L3 provision for Hairdressing & Barbering) as identified on page 3
2. The new suite of NVQs which have been developed from the 2014 NOS
Listed below are the significant changes to the new qualifications:
 An increase in the Guided Learning Hours (GLH) within the technical units – this is because:
- the health and safety unit has been removed from all structures and contextualised health and safety
has been placed within each unit. The impact of this change is a learner will develop health and
safety knowledge and skills through each technical skill
- advice, guidance and recommendations have also been added to each technical unit
- classifying of hair types has been changed from; Asian, Afro Caribbean and Caucasian, to the hair
classification method below
Hair Classifications
It’s just hair...
 The 2014 standards for hairdressing have been reduced from over 100 units down to 55. The impact of
this is there are fewer available optional units to choose from in all the new structures.
Qualification titles





VTCT Level 1 NVQ Certificate in Hairdressing and Barbering (QCF)
VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing (QCF)
VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Barbering (QCF)
VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing (QCF)
VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Barbering (QCF)
GLH
Credits
221 GLH
553 GLH
444 GLH
550 GLH
538 GLH
23 credits
64 credits
53 credits
68 credits
65 credits
The structures for these qualifications can be found via this direct link
These new NVQs will replace the current NVQ qualifications within the Hairdressing & Barbering
apprenticeship frameworks from 1 May 2015.
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Curriculum planning for Hairdressing & Barbering qualifications
Tel: +44 (0) 23 8068 4500 Email: customersupport@vtct.org.uk
5. New Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) (2014 NOS)
The current Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) suite of regulated qualifications for Hairdressing &
Barbering that were derived from the 2010 NOS, have been updated to bring the suite in line with the 2014
NOS for Hairdressing & Barbering. These qualifications will be available from 1 August 2015.
Qualification titles
Units
Credits

SVQ 1 in Hairdressing and Barbering at SCQF Level 4
6 units
min 22 credits

SVQ 2 in Barbering at SCQF Level 5
8 units
min 50 credits

SVQ 2 in Hairdressing at SCQF Level 5
8 units
min 59 credits

SVQ 3 in Hairdressing at SCQF Level 6
7 units
min 65 credits

SVQ 3 in Barbering at SCQF Level 6
7 units
min 62 credits
There are two noticeable differences concerning the new SVQ qualifications:
 Increase in the GLH within the technical units – this is because:
- the health and safety unit has been removed from all structures and contextualised health and safety
has been placed within each unit. The impact of this change is a learner will develop health and
safety knowledge and skills through each technical skill
- advice, guidance and recommendations have also been added to each technical unit
- classifying of hair types has been changed from; Asian, Afro Caribbean and Caucasian, to the hair
classification method below:
Hair Classifications
It’s just hair...
 The 2014 standards for hairdressing have been reduced from over 100 units down to 55. The impact of
this is there are fewer available optional units to choose from in the new structures.
The structures for these qualifications can be found via this direct link
These new SVQs will replace the current qualifications within the hairdressing and barbering
apprenticeship frameworks from 1 August 2015.
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Curriculum planning for Hairdressing & Barbering qualifications
Tel: +44 (0) 23 8068 4500 Email: customersupport@vtct.org.uk
6. How to choose from the VTCT suite of qualifications
Are you looking for a level 2 qualification in hairdressing that will fulfil a particular centre or learner
requirement?
Identified in the table below are 10 level 2 qualifications all of which have all been designed for a particular
market. Each qualification has the essential elements for becoming a hairdresser either as a standalone
qualification, or as pre-requisite for a commercial level 2 qualification.
Level 2 Qualifications in Hairdressing
Reason for choice
GLH /
units
VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing (QCF)
(Current qualification - 2010 NOS)
Has performance
points
VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing (QCF)
(New qualification- 2014 NOS)
New standards
VTCT SVQ 2 Hairdressing at SCQF Level 5
(Current qualification - 2010 NOS)
Familiarity with
qualification
VTCT SVQ 2 in Hairdressing at SCQF Level 5
(New qualification – 2014 NOS)
New standards
VTCT Level 2 Diploma in Women's Hairdressing (QCF)
(Current qualification - 2010 NOS)
Has performance
points
VTCT Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing Studies (QCF)
(Current qualification - 2010 NOS)
Smaller size diploma
VTCT Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing Services (QCF)
(Current qualification - 2010 NOS)
Suitable for pre-16
VTCT Level 2 Diploma in Women's and Men's Hairdressing
(QCF)
(Current qualification - 2010 NOS)
Unisex hairdresser
Level 2 Extended Certificate in Hair and Beauty Skills (New
qualification)
Traineeship/preapprenticeship
180
VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy
(VRQ) (GCSE equivalent knowledge based qualification)
Has performance
points
4 units
472
561
9 units
8 units
448
361
347
445
If you require additional support with qualification choice please contact the VTCT customer support
department via:
Tel: +44 (0) 23 8068 4500
Email: customersupport@vtct.org.uk
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