How to become a barber in the UK

Discover your route into barbering. From training courses to career progression, open the door to this creative career.

Barbering in the UK has come a long way since the days of highly polished razors and hot towels. While the beautiful tradition of barbering still holds strong, there is also a range of modern styles and techniques to embrace.

If you’re creative, enjoy working with people and have a passion for helping others find their unique personal style, then perhaps you should consider training in this dynamic industry by undertaking a barbering course.

What does a barber do?

Being a barber involves washing, cutting, styling hair and trimming and shaping moustaches or beards.

There are also other important elements to this profession:

• Barbers are responsible for providing consultations for their clients and discussing styling preferences.
• They may also be required to apply colours, tints and hair extensions and need to understand the application of different hair products for finishing different styles and looks.
• There are a range of administrative duties involved, and barbers may also be responsible for making appointments, taking payments and ordering relevant stock.

What skills does a barber need?

To succeed as a barber, you’ll need:

• Strong customer service skills
• The ability to listen carefully to clients and build a rapport with them
• A detail-oriented approach to your work
• Good manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination
• Organisational and time-management skills
• Clear communication skills
• The ability to work independently
• Physical stamina – you’ll be on your feet all-day
• The ability to perform basic administrative tasks using technology

You won’t be expected to have mastered all of these skills as a trainee barber. You’ll develop your abilities as you train and gain experience, often learning on the job from those around you.

What qualifications do barbers need?

Most reputable employers will require you to have a Level 2 qualification in barbering. This qualification equips you with the essential skills needed to operate as a barber.

Capital City College Groups (CCCG) offers both a full-time Barbering Level 2 Diploma and a part-time Barbering Level 2 Diploma at The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL). To enrol on these barbering courses, you’ll need four GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including English language and Maths (or an equivalent Level 1 qualification).

The college also runs a free short course – Level 2 Certificate in Barbering with no entry requirements other than relevant residency documentation. All of our barbering courses are held at CONEL’s Tottenham Centre, which is home to beauty treatment rooms and a hair salon where students can learn their craft and practise their skills.

How much is a barbering course?

The costs associated with barber qualifications depend on which pathway you choose.

• Many Further Education (FE) colleges like CCCG offer free level 2 Barbering courses for students aged 16-18 with the right to remain in the UK for the duration of their study. Students aged 19 and over are also eligible to study for free if they meet residency requirements.
• Where a FE college doesn’t provide free Level 2 courses, fees can range from £900 to £1500.
• A barbering apprenticeship is free to undertake, and you’ll also be able to earn while you study.
• A number of private hairdressing schools offer training courses. These prepare students to work in a salon within a number of weeks. Fees vary from one school to another and range from £1000 to £4000 depending on the provider.

Regardless of which option you choose, you’ll also have to pay for professional equipment to help you carry out your work.

How much is a barbering kit?

Every craftsperson needs good tools and being a barber is no exception. To work as a barber, you’ll need a set of professional equipment including:

• Hair Clippers
• Scissors
• Combs
• Razors
• Trimmer
• Neck Strip
• Barber Cape

The amount you spend on your kit depends on the quality and brand of equipment that you choose to buy. A basic kit can cost between £200 to £300, but as you develop your skills and specialise in certain techniques and styles, you may decide to upgrade certain items or invest in additional items.

How much does a barber earn?

The starting salary for a barber is around £19,500, with more experienced professionals earning up to £30,000. Senior barbers or managers can command salaries of over £30,000. This is usually based on working around 37 to 40 hours per week on a rota, with some work taking place in the evenings and at weekends.

An apprentice barber will be able to earn while they are completing their course. Apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage as well as allocated time for training or study, holiday pay and other employee rights. The rate of pay for an apprentice depends on their age and their year of study.

How long does it take to become a barber?

While some people may prefer to qualify as a barber quickly, others may favour a slower, steadier approach to learning. The time taken to qualify as a barber depends entirely on your chosen route.

Level 2 courses

Level 2 courses can vary in length. At CCCG, we offer:

• 1-year Level 2 Barbering Diploma
• 21-week Level 2 Barbering Diploma
• 10-week Level 2 Barbering Certificate

Apprenticeships

Barbering apprenticeships usually take between 1 and 2 years to complete and offer the advantage of being able to earn a salary while you learn.

Private training courses

Some private training providers offer courses that can be as short as 9 weeks – but these courses can be expensive.

How to find barbering courses?

With lots of different ways to enter the profession, it can be hard to know where to start looking for courses.

College courses

If you’re interested in doing a Level 2 Diploma with an FE college, then The National Careers Service offers a great tool for finding courses.

At CCCG, we offer two great Level 2 Diploma courses, both at CONEL’s Tottenham Centre.

• Barbering – Level 2 Diploma – This is a one-year full-time course for learners aged 16-18 and adults.
• Barbering – Level 2 Diploma – This is a 21-week part-time course that takes place in the daytime and is most suitable for adult learners.

These courses cover all the essential skills to start your career, including:

• Carrying out salon reception duties
• Delivering client consultations
• Shampooing and conditioning the hair and scalp
• Cutting and styling short hair
• Cutting facial hair
• Displaying and promoting products and services to clients in a salon
• Following health and safety practices in the salon

Students are assessed via a portfolio of evidence, which is collected through written assessments, presentations, witness statements and observations.

We also offer a Barbering – Level 2 Certificate. During this course, students develop their knowledge and understanding of the practical skills needed to cut men’s hair. They are also trained in how to provide effective client consultations and guided in the development of essential health and safety knowledge.

This short course is completely free and forms part of CCCG’s commitment to widening learner participation.

Apprenticeships

You can find a barbering apprenticeship using the dedicated government website. There are many reasons to do an apprenticeship and they offer a combination of hands-on workplace learning and college study.

Private training courses

Many hairdressing and barbering schools offer private courses, usually featuring small groups of students and lots of opportunities for practical experience.

Career progression

There are plenty of opportunities for progression once you’ve qualified as a barber. You could:

• Complete further training courses related to Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy.
• Become a senior barber or salon nanager.
• Start your own business and open your own barbershop.
• Gain further qualifications and train or assess student barbers.
• Work freelance as either a mobile barber or rent a space within a barbershop.
• Use your professional skills in the film, TV or theatre industry.

Next Steps

The world of barbering offers a dynamic and creative career for those with a passion for providing great customer service, good attention to detail and a knack for styling others. It’s a job where no two days are the same and you’ll benefit from the opportunity to meet and interact with a diverse range of people.

If you think you’re cut out for a career as a barber, then take a look at our wide range of Barbering and Hairdressing Courses and apply now!

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