Diploma in Beauty Therapy and Hair Dressing
The Diploma in Beauty Therapy and Hair Dressing is a technical programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in beauty therapy, hairdressing and salon management. Offered at Eastern Kenya Integrated University and Kiriri Women's University of Science and Technology, the programme prepares students for careers in the beauty and wellness industry.
The curriculum covers manicure and pedicure, facial treatments, skin care, makeup application, body massage, waxing and hair removal, nail technology, hair cutting, hair styling, hair colouring, chemical relaxing, permanent waving, braiding and weaving, salon hygiene, health and safety, anatomy and physiology, client consultation, salon management, entrepreneurship, communication skills, ICT and customer service. Students develop both practical beauty therapy and hairdressing skills.
Kenya's beauty and wellness industry is growing rapidly, with increasing demand for qualified beauty therapists and hairdressers in salons, spas, hotels, media production and self-employment. The programme responds to the need for skilled beauty professionals who can provide quality beauty and hair services while managing salon operations.
The programme is delivered through lectures, practical salon sessions, demonstrations, workshops and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in beauty treatments, hairdressing techniques and salon operations through practical sessions in training salons and attachment at beauty establishments.
Graduates pursue careers as beauty therapists, hairdressers, salon managers, spa therapists, makeup artists, nail technicians, beauty consultants and salon entrepreneurs in beauty salons, spas, hotels, media houses, cosmetic companies and self-employment. They can also progress to advanced diplomas or related degree programmes.
Prospective students should have manual dexterity, interpersonal skills and interest in the beauty and wellness industry. The programme is suitable for students seeking practical skills for employment or entrepreneurship in the beauty sector.
- Duration
- 2 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 67,189
- Private, up to
- Ksh 49,500
- Job market
- Moderate
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 20 students
- Award
- Diploma
What you study
8 subjects- Manicure, Pedicure and Nail Technology
- Facial Treatments and Skin Care
- Makeup Application and Body Massage
- Hair Cutting, Styling and Colouring
- Chemical Relaxing, Perming, Braiding and Weaving
- Salon Hygiene, Health and Safety
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Salon Management and Entrepreneurship
Modules
8 in the programmeSalon Hygiene and Anatomy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers salon hygiene, health and safety, professional ethics, anatomy and physiology of skin and hair, consultation and client care.
Manicure, Pedicure and Nail Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers manicure and pedicure techniques, nail disorders, artificial nail application, gel nails, nail art and henna application.
Facial Treatments and Skin Care
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers skin analysis, facial treatments, skin disorders, exfoliation, facial massage, eyebrow shaping and tinting.
Hairdressing Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers shampooing and conditioning, braiding, weaving and bonding, hair cutting, chemical relaxing, permanent waving and hair colouring.
Makeup and Body Treatments
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers makeup application techniques, body massage, body waxing and hair removal, body scrubbing and spa treatments.
Advanced Hairdressing and Styling
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers advanced hair styling, thermal styling, blow-drying, setting and dressing, hair trichology, client care and specialised hair treatments.
Salon Management and Entrepreneurship
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers salon management, record keeping, reception duties, stock control, entrepreneurship, business planning, marketing and customer service.
Industrial Attachment and Portfolio
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A three-month industrial attachment at a beauty salon, spa or hotel, assessed through an attachment report and a portfolio of practical treatments.
Specialisations
Beauty Therapy
Focuses on skincare, facial treatments, body treatments and makeup for careers as beauty therapists.
Hairdressing
Specialises in hair cutting, styling, colouring and chemical treatments for careers as hairdressers.
Nail Technology
Focuses on nail care, artificial nails, nail art and nail disorders for careers as nail technicians.
Salon Management
Specialises in salon operations, business management and entrepreneurship for careers as salon managers.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on anatomy and physiology or salon hygiene, followed by a practical salon session practising manicure, pedicure or facial treatments. Afternoon sessions may include a hairdressing workshop practising cutting, colouring or styling techniques, a makeup application demonstration, or a group exercise on salon management. Students also work on client consultation practice and build their treatment portfolios.
The trade offs
In its favour
- The beauty and wellness industry is growing rapidly in Kenya, with increasing demand for qualified professionals.
- The programme provides practical skills that enable graduates to start their own beauty businesses with minimal capital.
- The programme offers flexible career options including salon employment, freelance work and entrepreneurship.
Against it
- Specific fee data is not publicly available for the offering institutions, making it difficult to compare costs.
- The beauty industry can be competitive, requiring continuous skill updates and building a client base for success.
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 coursesAnnual 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 67K, AITEC 36K, CITC 49.5K/yr (aitec.ac.ke, citcthika.ac.ke).
Students can access HELB loans. Some institutions offer internal bursaries for qualifying students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- C-
- Alternative entry
- KCSE D+ with a Certificate in Beauty Therapy or related field (TVET Level 5) from a recognised institution.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination20% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering anatomy, salon hygiene and beauty theory.
Practical Assessments
Practicum50% of the mark
Assessment of practical skills including manicure, pedicure, facial treatments, hairdressing and makeup application.
KNEC/CDACC Examinations
Written examination60% of the mark
External examinations covering theory and practical components of beauty therapy and hairdressing.
Industrial Attachment and Portfolio
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment performance and a portfolio of practical treatments demonstrating competency.
Accreditation
Examined by KNEC and/or TVET CDACC. The programme is offered at Eastern Kenya Integrated University and Kiriri Women's University of Science and Technology.
Accredited by
Kenya National Examinations Council
AcademicRequired
Examined by KNEC and/or TVET CDACC. The programme is offered at Eastern Kenya Integrated University and Kiriri Women's University of Science and Technology.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesBeauty Therapist
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 100,000
Provides beauty treatments including facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, massage and makeup in salons, spas and hotels.
Hairdresser
Moderate demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 90,000
Provides hairdressing services including cutting, styling, colouring, chemical treatments and braiding in salons and barbershops.
Salon Manager
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manages salon operations including staff supervision, stock control, customer service, scheduling and financial management.
Makeup Artist
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provides makeup services for weddings, events, media productions and photography, working freelance or with production companies.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as beauty therapists, hairdressers, salon managers and makeup artists in salons, spas, hotels and self-employment across Kenya.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Beauty therapy is not a real career.
The beauty and wellness industry is a growing sector in Kenya with career opportunities in salons, spas, hotels, media, cosmetic companies and entrepreneurship.
You don't need training to be a beauty therapist or hairdresser.
Professional training ensures safe practices, proper techniques, hygiene standards and business skills that are essential for a successful beauty career.
Beauty therapy is only for women.
The beauty industry employs both men and women, with growing demand for male beauty therapists, barbers and salon professionals.
There is no money in the beauty industry.
The beauty industry offers diverse income opportunities including salon employment, freelance services, salon ownership, product sales and specialised treatments.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Diploma in Beauty Therapy and Hair Dressing are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.