Centre of Excellence for Hair, Beauty, Nails and Media Makeup

At the Centre of Excellence for Hair, Beauty, Nails and Media Makeup we have recently refurbished contemporary facilities, including hairdressing salons, beauty treatment rooms, a nail bar and state of the art media makeup studios.

Our extensive links with prestigious employers provide students with employment opportunities, work placements and training on the latest
techniques and products. Our partners include MAC Cosmetics, Lime Pictures, Cruise Liners, Dermalogica, Jessica Nails, St Tropez, Clarins and Clynol.

Courses available in Hair, Beauty, Nails and Media Makeup

See below for the full list of Hair, Beauty, Nails and Media Makeup courses available at Riverside College. Please refer to the entry requirements listed further down the page to help identify which level is right for you.

Once you have made an application to the college you will be invited in for an interview with the admissions team who will help to identify the right course, at the right level to meet your goals and aspirations.

Career Paths:

• Hair Stylist
• Beauty Therapist
• Spa Therapist
• Nail Technician
• Colouring Technician
• Spa / Salon Manager
• TV / Film Makeup Artist
• Beauty Consultant
• Freelance Makeup Artist
• Session Stylist
• Aesthetics Clinician

More than just a course

The Centre of Excellence has been created by bringing together some of the most outstanding teachers in this industry. The Centre of Excellence also offers students excellent links with high profile employers, the opportunity to enhance their CV with specialist qualifications in the latest industry trends (for example semi-permanent lashes) and take part in extra curricular activities including national competitions.

Unique experience

• Guaranteed jobs with high profile employers for successful students
• Partnerships with MAC Cosmetics, Lime Pictures (makers of Hollyoaks), Dermalogica, Jessica Nails, San Tropez, Clarins and Swarovski Nails, Liverpool John Lennon Aerospa
• National competitions including WorldSkills UK
• Additional industry recognised qualifications in the latest treatments and techniques e.g. semi-permanent lashes, face casting, hair extensions etc
• Industry workshops e.g. ear piercing, semi-permanent lashes, face casting, hair extensions.
• Prestigious work experience, with many leading onto excellent job opportunities

Entry Requirements

Level 3

Completion of Level 2 in the subject, plus a minimum of grade 4 in English Language and Maths. You will also need to attend a trade test and an admissions interview.

Level 2

A minimum of four 9-3 GCSE subject grades, including English Language and Maths.

Level 1

A minimum of four 9-2 GCSE subject grades, including English Language and Maths.

Entry Level

There are no formal entry requirements for this course. However you will need a keen interest in this subject and have a good level of English Language and Maths.

What could these courses lead on to?

At Riverside College you can progress through the levels from Entry Level to Level 3. By achieving qualifications in Hair, Beauty, Nails and Media Makeup you will be able to access a wide range of employment opportunities and apprenticeships with local, national and global employers. Following the Level 3 courses you could enter employment at a higher technical level such as a Senior Stylist. Many students also progress from Level 3 on to employment on board cruise ships or choose to study the next level of their discipline such as the Special Effects Makeup and Salon Management at university.