Overview

Do you want to learn hairdressing in London, or are you already a hairstylist looking to perfect your skills through a professional cutting and colouring course that gets you salon-ready and confident to work with clients?

There is no finer starting point—or refinement course—than the 26-Week Salon-Ready SLATE Diploma. This comprehensive training covers every essential technique in both men’s and women’s haircutting and colouring. Whether you’re new to the industry or want to elevate your craft, this course is designed to set you up for long-term success in hairdressing.

At SLATE, you don’t just watch — you do. Every learner gets extensive hands-on practice, ensuring you build your skills in real time with professional guidance.

The curriculum is divided into four in-depth stages:

• Salon Styling

• Women’s Cutting

• Men’s Cutting

• Classic Colouring

Each stage is designed to build your technical ability, creative expression, and professional confidence. You’ll benefit from:

• Personal mentorship from SLATE’s experienced instructors in every session

• An industry-leading 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring focused, individual support

• A blend of theory, hands-on practical work, and progressive assignments

• A personal appraisal at the end of each stage to track your development and set goals

In addition to Haircutting and Salon Styling, you’ll learn core Salon Colouring techniques — including tints, toners, root applications, and lightening methods — giving you the knowledge and confidence to approach colour work with precision.

Level

This is a professional adult hairdressing course in London, accessible to a wide range of learners. Whether you’re:

• A beginner driven to become a great hairdresser and master the art of cut and colour

• A stylist seeking to refine and perfect your foundational skills

• A makeup artist or creative professional expanding into hair for editorial or commercial work

• An experienced stylist looking to sharpen your core techniques and rebuild confidence

This course offers the structure, feedback, and real-world insight you need to grow as a skilled and confident hairdresser.

Course Structure

The curriculum is divided into four progressive stages, designed to develop your technical skills, build confidence, and prepare you for real-world salon work:

STAGE 1 – Salon Styling & Foundations

• Salon styling techniques

• Client consultations

• Comb, clips & sectioning

• Body positioning

• Client comfort & care

• Professional salon performance

STAGE 2 – Women’s Classic Cutting

• Long layers to open and close the face

• Medium layers, mullets & shags

• One-length cuts

• Classic graduation

• Short, soft graduation

• Strong graduation

STAGE 3 – Men’s Cutting

• Short layers

• Graduated sides with layered top

• Classic side parting

• Scissor over comb techniques

STAGE 4 – Classic Colouring

• Tints

• Toners

• Highlights

• Balayage

• Scalp bleach

Each stage includes continuous hands-on practical work, guided by expert educators, and ends with a personal appraisal to monitor your growth and set individual goals.