Art and Design

Certificate in Hairdressing

The Certificate in Hairdressing provides foundational skills in hair care, styling, chemical treatments, and salon management. Students learn shampooing, conditioning, hair cutting, braiding, weaving, colouring, perming, and thermal styling. The programme is designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in salons, barbershops, or as independent hairdressing service providers.

Students develop competencies in hair and scalp care, chemical hair treatments (relaxing, perming, colouring), braiding and weaving, thermal styling, haircutting techniques for men and women, client care, and basic salon management. The curriculum covers hair and scalp physiology, hygiene and safety, hair treatment products, salon operations, and entrepreneurship basics. Practical skills are emphasised through salon laboratory sessions.

Kenya's beauty and personal care industry has grown significantly, with hairdressing being one of the most accessible entrepreneurial sectors. Salons and barbershops are ubiquitous across urban and rural areas, and the demand for trained hairdressing personnel continues to grow. The industry offers relatively low barriers to entry, making it attractive for entrepreneurship and self-employment.

The programme combines classroom lectures with intensive salon practical sessions. Students practise hair treatments, styling, cutting, colouring, and braiding on mannequins and real clients in training salon environments. Teaching methods include practical demonstrations, supervised practice, client service simulations, and project-based assignments.

Graduates find employment as hair stylists, salon assistants, or barbers in salons, barbershops, hotels, and beauty parlours. The certificate also provides a pathway to diploma programmes in hairdressing and beauty therapy. Many graduates establish their own salon businesses or offer mobile hairdressing services, making this one of the most entrepreneurial certificate programmes.

This programme is ideal for KCSE graduates with an interest in the beauty industry, as well as individuals already working in salons who seek formal qualification. The accessible entry requirements make it suitable for those exploring hairdressing as a career or business opportunity.

Duration: 6 months
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Certificate

What you study

10 subjects

Hair and Scalp Physiology
Shampooing and Conditioning
Hair Cutting Techniques
Chemical Hair Treatments
Braiding and Weaving
Hair Colouring and Bleaching
Thermal Styling
Client Care and Communication
Salon Hygiene and Safety
Salon Management and Entrepreneurship

Modules

8 in the programme

Hair and Scalp Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Anatomy and physiology of hair and scalp covering hair structure, growth cycles, scalp conditions, hair types, and common disorders affecting hairdressing practice.
Shampooing, Conditioning and Treatment
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Hair washing, conditioning, and treatment techniques covering product selection, draping, scalp massage, deep conditioning, and protein treatments for different hair types.
Hair Cutting Techniques
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Hair cutting techniques for men and women covering sectioning, layering, graduation, blunt cuts, clipper cuts, fade techniques, and using cutting tools safely and effectively.
Chemical Hair Treatments
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Chemical hair treatments including hair relaxing, perming, and texturising, covering product chemistry, application techniques, safety precautions, and aftercare.
Braiding, Weaving and Extensions
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Braiding and weaving techniques including cornrows, box braids, twists, weaves, wig application, and extension attachment methods for various styles.
Hair Colouring and Bleaching
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Hair colouring and bleaching techniques covering colour theory, dye types, application methods, foil highlights, bleaching safety, and colour correction basics.
Thermal Styling and Finishing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Thermal styling techniques using curling tongs, flat irons, blow dryers, and hot rollers, covering styling for different occasions and hair types, and finishing techniques.
Salon Management and Entrepreneurship
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Salon management covering hygiene and safety standards, client care, reception duties, stock management, pricing, and entrepreneurship skills for starting and running a salon business.

Specialisations

Chemical Treatments
Focus on chemical hair treatments including relaxing, perming, colouring, and bleaching with advanced techniques and safety.
Braiding and Weaving
Focus on braiding, weaving, and extension techniques for diverse protective and decorative styles.
Barbering
Focus on men's grooming including clipper cuts, fades, beard trimming, and traditional shaving techniques.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on hair and scalp theory or salon management with afternoon practical sessions in the training salon. Students practise shampooing, conditioning, cutting, styling, colouring, and braiding on mannequins and real clients. Client consultation and salon hygiene practices are integrated into all practical activities.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for hairdressing services across urban and rural Kenya with low barriers to entry.
Skills enable entrepreneurship with relatively low startup capital for salon or mobile services.
Provides a direct pathway to diploma programmes in hairdressing and beauty therapy.

Against it

Income can be irregular for new stylists building a client base.
Work involves long hours standing and exposure to chemical products requiring safety precautions.
Fee data for EKIU is not publicly available; prospective students should contact the institution directly.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 73 art and design courses

Public67k to 67k

67k at Kamukunji TVC (public TVET standardized rate)67k at Kamukunji TVC (public TVET standardized rate)

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

TVET 67,189/yr public (kamukunjitvc.ac.ke). Pvt: unverified.

HELB loans and NGCDF bursaries may be available for eligible Kenyan students. Prospective students should confirm availability with the institution.

Funding options

HELB Loan
NGCDF Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at recognised institutions
NGCDF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective constituencies pursuing certificate-level studies

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: D
Alternative entry: KCSE certificate or equivalent. No specific subject requirements.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination20% of the mark
Regular CATs evaluating understanding of hair and scalp theory, chemical treatment principles, and salon management.
Practical Salon Assessment
Practical assessment60% of the mark
Practical assessment of hairdressing techniques including cutting, styling, colouring, braiding, and chemical treatments on mannequins and clients.
End of Course Examination
Written examination20% of the mark
Final written examination covering all modules including theory, hygiene, safety, and salon management.

Accreditation

Eastern Kenya Integrated University is established by the Africa Brotherhood Church and is transitioning from college to university status. The programme may be examined by TVET CDACC, NITA, or City and Guilds.

Accredited by

TVET Curriculum Development and Certification Council
AcademicRequired
EKIU is transitioning from college to university status. The programme may be examined by TVET CDACC, NITA, or City and Guilds.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Hair Stylist
High demandKsh 15,000 to Ksh 60,000
Provides hairdressing services including cutting, styling, colouring, and chemical treatments in salons, hotels, and beauty parlours.
Salon Assistant
High demandKsh 12,000 to Ksh 35,000
Assists senior stylists in salon operations, supporting shampooing, styling, client service, and maintaining salon cleanliness and hygiene.
Barber
High demandKsh 14,000 to Ksh 50,000
Provides barbering services including hair cutting, fading, beard trimming, and styling in barbershops and grooming establishments.
Salon Entrepreneur
High demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 200,000
Owns and operates a salon or barbershop, managing services, staff, and client relationships while building a profitable beauty business.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as hair stylists and salon assistants, with strong opportunities for entrepreneurship and self-employment in the growing beauty and personal care industry.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Hairdressing is not a professional career.
Hairdressing is a regulated profession in Kenya with formal certification through TVET CDACC, NITA, and City and Guilds, offering viable career and business opportunities.
Hairdressing is only for women.
Hairdressing and barbering are pursued by both men and women, with male barbers and stylists increasingly prominent in the industry.
You don't need training to be a hairdresser.
Professional training ensures proper techniques, hygiene standards, chemical safety, and client care, which are essential for building a sustainable career and clientele.
Hairdressing doesn't pay well.
Successful hairdressers and salon owners in Kenya earn competitive incomes, particularly in urban areas and with specialised skills like colouring and styling.