Overview Structure Documents Approved Centres

VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy (VRQ)

Qualification Information

VTCT Product Code: AM20530 GLH: 120 Age Restriction: 13
Qualification Number: 601/0556/2 Units: 4 Registration End Date: 31st Jul 2024
Level: 2

Additional Information

Documentation for this qualification last amended 08 March 2021



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.

The VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy (VRQ) has been accredited by the qualification regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and is part of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

This qualification uses a grading model of Not Yet Achieved, Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction* (P/M/D/D*) which will improve student motivation and provide challenge, distinguish between levels of student achievement and ensure sufficient rigour in assessments.

A minimum of 30 GLH of this qualification's content is subject to external assessment, which is supported by rigorous assessment arrangements. This will help to ensure the present vocational qualification offers a comparable level of challenge to academic qualifications.

To access the exam resources for the Tech Award please click here


Statement of Purpose


Who is this qualification for?


The VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy (VRQ) is a Technical Award specifically for 14-16 year olds. This qualification aims to support young people to:

- develop a broad and comprehensive understanding of the hair and beauty sector
- develop knowledge which spans the entire vocational sector and related industries
- develop academic study and transferable skills that will support progression within the hair and beauty sector and more broadly

Hairdressing and beauty therapy has been and remains an extremely popular vocational area that many young people are enthused by and aspire too. The aim of this qualification is to use the hair and beauty sector as a vehicle to develop learners more broadly, so they are prepared and equipped with the knowledge, understanding and skills to pursue a career in any context.


What will learners study as part of this qualification?


This qualification includes two mandatory units that can be applied to any sector or vocational area. In this qualification, learners will use hairdressing and beauty therapy and related industries (i.e. retail, leisure, fashion, marketing, media, business) to develop themselves and, in particular, the skills and attributes prized by employers, further education colleges and higher education institutions. The units that make up this qualification include:

- Understanding the hair and beauty sector (mandatory) - in this unit learners will develop an understanding of the structure and importance of the hair and beauty sector. They will also learn about the products used, and services and treatments provided throughout the sector as well as career opportunities.
- Hair and beauty research project (mandatory) - in this unit learners learn how to plan a hair and beauty research project. Learners will then produce a research proposal and conduct their research into a particular topic area of the hair and beauty sector.
- Business enterprise in hair and beauty (optional) - in this unit learners will research and develop new ideas for a business enterprise in hair or beauty.
- Marketing and promotions in hair and beauty (optional) - in this unit learners will look at a hair or beauty business and then develop their own marketing materials and activities to support a product or service.
- Hair and beauty science (optional) - in this unit learners will develop an understanding of the chemistry of hair and beauty products. They will also learn about the anatomy of the skin and hair and produce a formulation for a hair and beauty product.
- Responding to a hair and beauty design brief (optional) - in this unit learners will develop an understanding of design briefs throughout the hair and beauty sector. They will then be set a specific design brief to which they have to respond by researching the area, presenting their ideas and justifying their choices.

Through undertaking this qualification learners will also develop a range of transferable skills including:

- Critical thinking and being reflective on self-performance and work produced
- Use of initiative, planning and researching skills, self-management, self-motivation and the ability to work independently
- Innovation and creativity
- Application of knowledge and understanding to real life examples and businesses
- Problem solving
- Communication skills - verbal, written and visual.

In addition to these transferable skills, learning about sectors, carrying out research, exploring businesses and new ideas for businesses, planning marketing activities and producing marketing materials, exploring science and technology, and responding to design briefs are all general skills that be applied to a vast range of topics and will prepare learners to progress to further learning in a broad range of subject areas.

Which subjects will complement this qualification?


This qualification covers a wide range of subject areas and will be well complemented by both GCSEs and other Technical Awards in related subject areas. Specific subject areas related to this qualification include, maths, English, science, fashion, travel and tourism and business studies.


Performance pointsGCSE gradeAM20530 grade
58A*D*
52AD
46BM
40CP





Qualification Structure

Mandatory Group - from this group you'll need to cover a minimum of 2 components and earn a minimum of credits.

Unit Code Unit Ref Unit Title Level Credits GLH
UV21578 F/505/5079 Understanding the hair and beauty sector 2 30
UV21579 T/505/5080 Hair and beauty research project 2 30



Optional Group - from this group you'll need to cover a minimum of 2 components and earn a minimum of credits.

Unit Code Unit Ref Unit Title Level Credits GLH
UV21580 A/505/5081 Enterprise in the hair and beauty sector 2 30
UV21581 F/505/5082 Marketing hair and beauty products and services 2 30
UV21582 J/505/5083 Hair and beauty science 2 30
UV21583 L/505/5084 Responding to a hair and beauty design brief 2 30



*For full details of the Rules of Combination for this qualification please see the Qualification Specification/Record of Assessment book.

Documents


*To find specifications for individual units, click on the "Structure" tab of your chosen qualification, select the unit code in the left hand column and on the new page click on the "Download unit book" tab under the unit title.

Centres approved to run this qualification

VTCT accredits centres to offer our qualifications, but cannot advise which centres are running particular courses at any time. Please contact the centre directly to find out if they currently offering your chosen qualification.

NB: The location displayed for each centre is based upon the centre's main address. The location displayed is not necessarily the only location that the centre can deliver VTCT qualifications from. For further information on a centre's delivery capabilities please select the centre's website address.

Centre Name Telephone Website Location
North Gosforth Academy 0191 236 1700 Visit website England
Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey 01795 873591 / 07593 734006 Visit website England
Cedars Upper School 01525 219300 Visit website Bedfordshire - Central Bedfordshire
Queensbury Academy 01582 601241 Visit website Bedfordshire - Central Bedfordshire
Manshead CE Academy 01582 679400 Visit website Bedfordshire - Luton
Prospect School 01189590466 Visit website Berkshire - Reading
East Berkshire College 01753 793371 Visit website Berkshire - Slough
Waingels College 0118 969 0336 Visit website Berkshire - Wokingham
South Gloucestershire and Stroud College - Filton Campus 0117 909 2357 Visit website Bristol, City of
Aspire Alternative Provision 01296 387600 Visit website Buckinghamshire
Sir William Ramsay School 01494 815211 Visit website Buckinghamshire
Tring School 01442 822303 Visit website Buckinghamshire
Cottenham Village College 01954 288944 Visit website Cambridgeshire
Cromwell Community College 01354 692193 Visit website Cambridgeshire
Ely College 01353 667763 Visit website Cambridgeshire
St. Peter's School 01480 459581 Visit website Cambridgeshire
Swavesey Village College 01954 230366 Visit website Cambridgeshire
Nene Park Academy 01733 368300 Visit website Cambridgeshire - Peterborough
Queen Katharine Academy 01733 383888 Visit website Cambridgeshire - Peterborough
Stanground Academy 01733 821430 Visit website Cambridgeshire - Peterborough
Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy 01928 711643 Visit website Cheshire - Halton
Ormiston Chadwick Academy 0151 424 5038 Visit website Cheshire - Halton
Warrington & Vale Royal College 01925 494494 Visit website Cheshire - Warrington
Bodmin College 01208 79220 Visit website Cornwall
Cornwall College - Camborne Campus 01209 611611 Visit website Cornwall
Cornwall College - St Austell Campus 01726 226746 Visit website Cornwall
Truro College 01872 267000 Visit website Cornwall
Furness Academy 01229 484270 Visit website Cumbria
Swain Academy 01946 599559 Visit website Cumbria
William Howard School 01697 745700 Visit website Cumbria
Heanor Gate Science College 01773 716396 Visit website Derbyshire
Derby College 0800 028 0289 Visit website Derbyshire - Derby
Lees Brook Community School - The Skills Academy 01332 671723 Visit website Derbyshire - Derby
Braunton Academy 01271 812221 Visit website Devon
Charley’s hair salon 01271 327337 Visit website Devon
Hair@theAcademy 07974 750699 Visit website Devon
South Dartmoor Community College 01364 652230 Visit website Devon
All Saints Academy Plymouth 01752 705131 Visit website Devon - Plymouth
E-Hairdressing - Paignton Sports and Community College 01803 403003 Visit website Devon - Torbay
E-Hairdressing and Beauty Academy 01803 295195 Visit website Devon - Torbay
Oak Academy 01202 774600 Visit website Dorset
Avonbourne School 01202 398451 Visit website Dorset - Bournemouth
St. Aldhelms Academy 01202 732500 Visit website Dorset - Poole
Durham Community Business College 0191 373 0336 Visit website Durham
East Durham College 0191 518 2000 Visit website Durham
Park View School 0191 3882248 Visit website Durham
Wellfield Community School 01429 838783 Visit website Durham
Wolsingham School and Community College 01388 527302 Visit website Durham
SAKS Education Ltd 01325 341628 Visit website Durham - Darlington
Total Hair and Beauty Training Academy 07455 866886 Visit website Durham - Stockton-on-Tees
Withernsea High School 01964 613133 Visit website East Riding of Yorkshire
Sirius Academy West 01482 352939 Visit website East Riding of Yorkshire - Kingston upon Hull
Causeway School 01323 465700 Visit website East Sussex
King's Academy Ringmer 01273 812220 Visit website East Sussex
Workplace AP Free School 01323 679557 Visit website East Sussex
Beauchamps High School 01268 735466 Visit website Essex
Deanes Academy 01268 773545 / 07834 159728 Visit website Essex
Greensward Academy 01702 202571 Visit website Essex
Harwich & Dovercourt High School Academy 01255 245463 Visit website Essex
Maltings Academy 01376 512911 Visit website Essex
New Rickstones Academy 01376 515756 Visit website Essex
South Essex College of Further and Higher Education - Basildon Campus 0845 521 2345 Visit website Essex
Stewards Academy 01279421951 Visit website Essex
The Basildon Upper Academy 01268 552536 Visit website Essex
William De Ferrers School 01245 326326 Visit website Essex
Woodlands School 01268 282146 Visit website Essex
South Essex College of Further and Higher Education - Thurrock Campus 0845 521 2345 Visit website Essex - Thurrock
All Saints' Academy 01242 711200 Visit website Gloucestershire
South Gloucestershire and Stroud College - Stroud Campus 01453 763424 Visit website Gloucestershire
The Dean Academy 01594 843202 Visit website Gloucestershire
Yate Academy 01454 862624 Visit website Gloucestershire - South Gloucestershire
Smithills School 01204 842382 Visit website Greater Manchester - Bolton
Bury College 0161 280 8633 Visit website Greater Manchester - Bury
Newall Green High School - Sixth Form Centre 0161 413 8839 Visit website Greater Manchester - Manchester
Parrs Wood High School 0161 445 8786 Visit website Greater Manchester - Manchester
The Michaeljohn Training School 0161 819 2662 Visit website Greater Manchester - Manchester
Hollingworth Academy 01706 292800 Visit website Greater Manchester - Rochdale
Broadoak School 0161 776 1977 Visit website Greater Manchester - Trafford
Dean Trust Rose Bridge 01942 510712 Visit website Greater Manchester - Wigan
Total People - Wigan Centre 01942 820069 Visit website Greater Manchester - Wigan
Tylerlee CIC 01942 206253 Visit website Greater Manchester - Wigan
Aldworth School 01256 322691 Visit website Hampshire
Andover College (A Campus of Sparsholt College) 01264 360000 Visit website Hampshire
Basingstoke College of Technology 01256 354141 Visit website Hampshire
Cowplain School 023 9261 2020 Visit website Hampshire
Cranbourne Business and Enterprise College 01256 868600 Visit website Hampshire
Eastleigh College 023 8091 1028 Visit website Hampshire
Farnborough College of Technology 01252 407208 Visit website Hampshire
Haha Training Ltd 07730775108 / 07793671970 Visit website Hampshire
Havant & South Downs College 023 9279 7995 Visit website Hampshire
The Arnewood School 01425 625400 Visit website Hampshire
Highbury College 023 9238 3131 Visit website Hampshire - Portsmouth
Bitterne Park School 023 8032 5200 Visit website Hampshire - Southampton
Batchwood School 01727 868021 Visit website Hertfordshire
Westfield Academy 01923 231560 Visit website Hertfordshire
The Isle of Wight College 01983 526631 Visit website Isle of Wight
Dover Christ Church Academy 01304 872867 Visit website Kent
Homewood School and Sixth Form Centre 01580 764222 Visit website Kent
Saint George's C of E School 01474 533082 Visit website Kent
Sittingbourne Community College 01795 472449 Visit website Kent
The Community College Whitstable 01227 272362 Visit website Kent
The Folkestone Academy 01303 842400 Visit website Kent
The Holmesdale School 01634 240416 Visit website Kent
The John Wallis Church of England Academy 01233 623465 Visit website Kent
The Malling School 01732 840995 Visit website Kent
Westlands School 01795 477475 Visit website Kent
Bay Leadership Academy 01524 416830 Visit website Lancashire
Bowland High Academy Trust 01200 449869 Visit website Lancashire
Carnforth High School 01524 732424 Visit website Lancashire
Preston's College 01772 225001 Visit website Lancashire
Sir John Thursby Community College 01282 682313 Visit website Lancashire
The Heights Free School 01254 261655 Visit website Lancashire - Blackburn with Darwen
Blackpool and the Fylde College - Bispham Campus 01253 504625 Visit website Lancashire - Blackpool
Unity Academy, Blackpool 01253 355493 Visit website Lancashire - Blackpool
Brooksby Melton College 01664 850850 Visit website Leicestershire
Heath Lane Academy 01455 845061 Visit website Leicestershire
North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College - Wigston Campus 0116 264 3555 Visit website Leicestershire
Fullhurst Community College 0116 282 4326 Visit website Leicestershire - Leicester
New College Leicester 0116 231 8500 Visit website Leicestershire - Leicester
Boston College 01205 365701 Visit website Lincolnshire
The Priory Ruskin Academy 01476 410410 Visit website Lincolnshire
The Priory Witham Academy 01522 882900 Visit website Lincolnshire
University Academy Holbeach 01406 423042 Visit website Lincolnshire
Avant Partnership 01472 470590 Visit website Lincolnshire - North East Lincolnshire
Havelock Academy 01472 602000 Visit website Lincolnshire - North East Lincolnshire
Baysgarth School 01652 632576 Visit website Lincolnshire - North Lincolnshire
North Lindsey College 01724 281111 Visit website Lincolnshire - North Lincolnshire
The St Lawrence Academy 01724 842447 Visit website Lincolnshire - North Lincolnshire
St James' Catholic High School 020 8358 2800 Visit website London - Barnet
Bromley College of Further & Higher Education (LSEC) - Bromley Campus 020 8295 7000 Visit website London - Bromley
TLT Academy Ltd 020 8462 3662 Visit website London - Bromley
Camden School for Girls 020 7485 3414 Visit website London - Camden
Friern Barnet School 020 8368 2777 Visit website London - Enfield
The Parkside Studio College 0208 573 2097 Visit website London - Hillingdon
City of London Academy 020 7394 5100 Visit website London - Southwark
Lord Derby Academy 0151 477 8860 Visit website Merseyside - Knowsley
The Prescot School 0151 477 8680 Visit website Merseyside - Knowsley
Broadgreen International School 0151 228 6800 Visit website Merseyside - Liverpool
Hugh Baird College 0151 353 4444 Visit website Merseyside - Liverpool
Southport College 01704 500606 Visit website Merseyside - Sefton
St Helens College - Town Centre Campus 01744 733766 Visit website Merseyside - St. Helens
City College Norwich 01603 773393 Visit website Norfolk
Fusion Hair Academy 01493 603336 Visit website Norfolk
Great Yarmouth College 01493 655261 Visit website Norfolk
Hellesdon High School 01603 424711 Visit website Norfolk
Ormiston Victory Academy 01603 742310 Visit website Norfolk
Springwood High School 01553 773393 Visit website Norfolk
The Locksley School 01603 508520 Visit website Norfolk
George Pindar School 01723 586341 Visit website North Yorkshire
Graham School 01723 366451 Visit website North Yorkshire
Unity City Academy 01642 326262 Visit website North Yorkshire - Middlesbrough
Joseph Rowntree School 01904 552100 Visit website North Yorkshire - York
Campion School and Language College 01604 833900 Visit website Northamptonshire
The Duston Education Trust 01604 460006 Visit website Northamptonshire
Ashfield School Post 16 Academy 01623 455000 Visit website Nottinghamshire
ATTFE - Dukeries Campus 01623 860304 Visit website Nottinghamshire
East Midlands Vocational Academy 01623 632045 Visit website Nottinghamshire
North Nottinghamshire College 01709 722 683 Visit website Nottinghamshire
Outwood Academy Portland 01909 471010 Visit website Nottinghamshire
The Manor Academy 01623 425100 Visit website Nottinghamshire
Bulwell Academy 0115 964 7640 Visit website Nottinghamshire - Nottingham
The Oxford Academy 01865 774311 Visit website Oxfordshire
North Shropshire College - Oswestry Campus 01691 688000 Visit website Shropshire
Madeley Academy 01952 527700 Visit website Shropshire - Telford and Wrekin
L&F Training 07867692924 Visit website Somerset
Yeovil College 01935 423921 Visit website Somerset
Barnsley College 01226 216710 Visit website South Yorkshire - Barnsley
Armonia Health and Beauty Training Academy 01302 842444 Visit website South Yorkshire - Doncaster
Outwood Academy Danum 01302 831385 Visit website South Yorkshire - Doncaster
Rotherham College Visit website South Yorkshire - Rotherham
The Serenity Academy 01709 874424 Visit website South Yorkshire - Rotherham
Syreeta's Make Up Academy 07908 253657 Visit website South Yorkshire - Sheffield
The Sheffield School of Health and Beauty 0114 275 0201 Visit website South Yorkshire - Sheffield
Burton and South Derbyshire College 01283 494774 Visit website Staffordshire
Buxton and Leek College - Leek Campus 0800 074 0099 Visit website Staffordshire
South Staffordshire College - Tamworth Campus 01827 310202 Visit website Staffordshire
Ormiston Horizon Academy 01782 883333 Visit website Staffordshire - Stoke-on-Trent
Cheam High School 020 8644 5790 Visit website Surrey
Esher High School 01932 267186 Visit website Surrey
Fullbrook 01932 338561 Visit website Surrey
Hinchleywood School 01932 267186 Visit website Surrey
Oaks Park High School 020 8647 5842 Visit website Surrey
Rodborough School 01483 411100 Visit website Surrey
Rydens Enterprise School 01932 267186 Visit website Surrey
Tomlinscote School and Sixth Form College 01276 709050 Visit website Surrey
Kenton Comprehensive School 0191 214 2200 Visit website Tyne and Wear - Newcastle upon Tyne
Walker Riverside Academy 0191 295 8660 Visit website Tyne and Wear - Newcastle upon Tyne
George Stephenson High School 0191 2161115 Visit website Tyne And Wear - North Tyneside
Tyne Metropolitan College 0191 229 5000 Visit website Tyne and Wear - North Tyneside
Boldon School 0191 536 2176 Visit website Tyne and Wear - South Tyneside
Mortimer Community College 0191 4566511 Visit website Tyne And Wear - South Tyneside
South Tyneside College 0191 427 3500 Visit website Tyne and Wear - South Tyneside
Washington Academy 0191 561 3845 Visit website Tyne and Wear - Sunderland
Bilton School Stow Valley Multi Trust 01788 840600 Visit website Warwickshire
Nicholas Chamberlaine School 024 7631 2308 Visit website Warwickshire
The Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College 01788 542355 Visit website Warwickshire
The Nuneaton Academy 02476341134 Visit website Warwickshire
Warwickshire College - Rugby Centre 01926 319093 Visit website Warwickshire
Trinity High School and Sixth Form Centre 01527 585859 Visit website West Midlands
Aura Academy 0121 285 5171 Visit website West Midlands - Birmingham
Greenwood Academy 0121 464 6101 Visit website West Midlands - Birmingham
Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst 0121 329 8300 Visit website West Midlands - Birmingham
Sandwell College of Further and Higher Education 0121 556 6000 Visit website West Midlands - Sandwell
Wodensborough Academy 0121 506 4300 Visit website West Midlands - Sandwell
Arden Academy 01564 773348 Visit website West Midlands - Solihull
Ormiston SWB Academy 01902 493797 Visit website West Midlands - Wolverhampton
Delta Academies Trust - Garforth Academy 0113 212 7141 Visit website West Yorkshire
Leeds City College - Keighley Campus 01535 685000 Visit website West Yorkshire - Bradford
Tong Leadership Academy 01274 681455 Visit website West Yorkshire - Bradford
The Maltings College 01422 300024 Visit website West Yorkshire - Calderdale
Holmfirth High School 01484 691466 Visit website West Yorkshire - Kirklees
In House Training Ltd 01924 500647 Visit website West Yorkshire - Kirklees
The Link Training Academy 01484 425500 Visit website West Yorkshire - Kirklees
Allerton Grange School 0113 393 0304 Visit website West Yorkshire - Leeds
Leeds City College - The Printworks Campus 0113 284 6362 Visit website West Yorkshire - Leeds
Leeds West Academy 0113 229 5454 Visit website West Yorkshire - Leeds
Room: 97 Creative Hairdressing 01924 339172 Visit website West Yorkshire - Wakefield
Malmesbury School Academy Trust 01666 829700 Visit website Wiltshire
Arrow Vale RSA Academy 01527 526800 Visit website Worcestershire
Christopher Whitehead Language College 01905 423906 Visit website Worcestershire
Evesham College part of WCG 01386 712604 Visit website Worcestershire
Heart of Worcestershire College - Worcester 01905 726631 Visit website Worcestershire
The De Montfort School 01386 442060 Visit website Worcestershire
Guernsey College of Further Education 01481 737500 Visit website Guernsey
Ysgol Gyfun Cymer Rhondda 01443 680800 Visit website Rhondda Cynon Taff

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