New students starting in September: You can find more information about College Ready Sessions and submitting your GCSE results in our online Guide. Transport and bursary information will be available from 15 June 2026.
FACULTY OF Hair & Beauty
Perfect your professional skills with Truro and Penwith College’s Hair & Beauty courses taught within our Inspiration salons here in Cornwall. Using the latest techniques and technology, you’ll gain excellent experience in hair, beauty and complementary therapies designed to prepare you to launch your career.
experience and expert tuition
With locations on both Truro and Penwith campuses, our Inspiration salons provide a training ground where you’ll hone your skills serving members of the public. All our hair, beauty and complementary therapy students will have access to the salon working environments, regardless of if you’re studying an Apprenticeship or Diploma. Leading experts in hair and beauty come to the College to teach you special classes and give exciting demonstrations.
HONING YOUR TALENTS
You’ll be able to take part in the annual Cornish Skills competition, where you’ll display your creativity and talent over a wide range of hair and beauty categories. Many of our students go on to win at the national UK Skills competition.
EMPLOYABILITY & APPRENTICESHIPS
Truro and Penwith College was awarded the national Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship Provider of the Year award at the AAC Apprenticeship Awards in March 2020 for its work with local employers and awarding body VTCT to ensure taught skills meet the needs of employers and career routes in the sector.
At Truro and Penwith College, we are committed to preparing students not just for qualifications, but for meaningful, long-term careers. That’s why employability is embedded into every aspect of our programmes. Working in partnership with a wide range of respected employers across Cornwall, we offer a variety of work placement opportunities to test out your knowledge, skills and behaviours with the aim that they will lead onto an Apprenticeship. Whether you’re interested in Construction, Hospitality, Automotive or Hairdressing, our Apprenticeships provide a direct route into the industry—combining hands-on experience with expert-led training and nationally recognised qualifications.
To ensure you’re ready for the workplace, we also focus on developing your broader employability skills. These include communication, organisation, teamwork, and problem-solving; core attributes that employers across all sectors value highly. You’ll have the opportunity to enhance these through real-world projects and collaborative learning.
By working closely with industry partners, we ensure our training reflects current sector needs, giving you the edge in a competitive job market and helping you make a strong, immediate impact in your chosen field.
Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy are careers with many opportunities. They are becoming more diverse, leading to many dynamic paths of employment.
Nikki Dixon
Head of Faculty
Real Working Environments
Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy courses offer a blend of both practical and theory lectures. You will learn and understand the science behind the subject area, learn and develop the practical skills and techniques of your chosen career. Within our Inspiration salons, you will complete treatments or services with members of the public as your clients, providing you with valuable experience, employability skills and preparing you for the many career opportunities of this Industry.
All hair and beauty students undertake a meaningful industry placement where you will be exposed to real work environments and experiences.
100%
100% Achievement on all Level 3 Hair and Beauty courses.
Industry
We collaborate closely with our local salons and employers and use their expertise to provide workshops which give a real insight into the Hair and Beauty Industry.
90%
This year 90% of Level 3 Beauty Therapy learners achieved employment from their placement provision, 30% of which are within five-star Spa Hotels.
Compete
We are very proud of our students successes at WorldSkills competitions; we have achieved many gold medals for our exemplary standards, and we hope that you will join those who progress onto such competitions.
There is so much more freedom at College. There’s no uniform anymore and we can wear what we like, so everyone can express their individuality.
Spike
Level 2 Diploma in Women's Hairdressing
FIND THE COURSE FOR YOU
Frequently Asked Questions
To apply for a Hair and Beauty course at Truro and Penwith College, visit the course page on our official college website and complete your application online.
Entry requirements for hair and beauty programs vary. Check the specific course details on the college website or prospectus or contact the admissions office for the most accurate and up-to-date information on entry requirements.
Hair and beauty students all receive meaningful industry placement. There is also active engagement with national industry professionals and guest expert demonstrations will stretch and challenge your learning.
Graduates from Hair and Beauty programs at Truro and Penwith College can pursue diverse career paths, including roles in barbering, complementary therapies, spa management, media make up, and more. The field offers a wide range of opportunities in various industries. Visit the Career Zone or truro-penwith.ac.uk/career-zone to find out more.
Truro and Penwith College offers real working environments in fully equipped industry-standard salons. Working within Inspiration, our commercial salons, you will learn with members of the public as your clients and develop the theory and business skills needed to succeed in your chosen therapy.
Yes, Truro and Penwith College offers apprenticeships in professional hairdressing and was named Cornwall’s only Expert Apprenticeship Provider by The Department for Education (DfE) in 2023 and awarded the national Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship Provider of the Year at the AAC Apprenticeship Awards in 2020. You can read more about our apprenticeships on our website by searching courses or at truro-penwith.ac.uk/apprenticeships.