Trades & Vocational

Diploma in Hairdressing

The Diploma in Hairdressing is a TVET CDACC Level 6 qualification that equips learners with advanced competencies in hair care, styling, cutting, colouring, chemical reformation, hair additions, barbering, and salon management.

The curriculum covers barbering operations, chemical reformation, hair addition operations, hair cutting, hair setting and styling, hair colouring and lightening, hair piece production, wash and set services, plaiting and braiding, dreadlocking, salon management, and occupational safety and health practices.

The programme is accredited by TVET CDACC under the Hairdressing Level 6 qualification (code 101206T4) with 245 credit hours. It is also examined by NITA and KNEC in some institutions.

Training combines classroom theory with extensive practical sessions in fully equipped salon training facilities. Trainees work with professional salon equipment including styling chairs, hair dryers, colouring stations, and barbering tools.

Graduates find employment in salons, spas, beauty centres, hotels, resorts, film and television production, and fashion events. Many graduates establish their own salons or work as freelance hairdressers for weddings and events.

The programme suits KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- who have an interest in beauty and hair care, as well as Level 5 certificate holders seeking to upgrade. It provides a progression pathway to specialised qualifications in cosmetology, beauty therapy, or salon business management.

Duration: 2-3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 100,000
Job market: High

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

10 subjects

Hair Cutting Operations
Hair Setting and Styling
Hair Colouring and Lightening
Chemical Reformation Operations
Hair Addition Operations
Barbering Operations
Plaiting and Braiding Services
Hair Piece Production
Hairdressing Operations Management
Occupational Safety and Health Practices

Modules

12 in the programme

Hair Cutting Operations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced hair cutting techniques for various styles, face shapes, and hair types
Hair Setting and Styling
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Setting, styling, roller setting, blow drying, and thermal styling techniques for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Communication Skills and Digital Literacy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsElective
Business communication, customer care, and ICT applications in salon management for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Chemical Reformation Operations
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Hair relaxing, perming, and chemical straightening techniques and safety for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Hair Colouring and Lightening
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Hair colour theory, colour mixing, application techniques, highlighting for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Hair Addition Operations
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Weaving, extensions, bonding, crocheting, and other hair addition techniques for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Barbering Operations
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Barbering techniques, clipper cuts, fades, and men's grooming services for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Plaiting and Braiding Services
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Corn-rows, Ghana lines, box braids, twist braids, and other braiding techniques for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Hair Piece Production
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Making hair pieces, wigs, and extensions from synthetic and natural hair for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Dreadlocking Services
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Dreadlock creation, maintenance, styling, and repair techniques for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Customer Care and Consultation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsElective
Client consultation, hair and scalp analysis, and personalised service for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Hairdressing Operations Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Salon management, staff supervision, inventory management, and business for professional practice and competency development in the field.

Specialisations

Hair Colouring and Lightening
Focuses on advanced colouring techniques, colour correction, and creative colour services, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Bridal and Event Styling
Focuses on bridal hairstyling, updos, and special occasion hair services, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Natural Hair Care
Focuses on natural hair management, dreadlocking, and protective styling, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Salon Management and Entrepreneurship
Focuses on salon business management, staff supervision, and entrepreneurship, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.

A day as a student

A typical day begins at 8:00 AM with a theory session on hair science or salon management, followed by a three-hour practical session in the training salon working with real clients under supervision. Afternoons often involve specialised technique workshops such as colour mixing, chemical reformation, or bridal styling. Industrial attachment places students in established salons or spas for hands-on professional experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's beauty market is valued at over KSH 100 billion with consistent demand across all counties
Strong self-employment potential with relatively low startup costs for salon businesses
Specialisation in colouring, bridal styling, or natural hair care can significantly increase income

Against it

Requires standing for long hours and physical stamina
Exposure to chemicals requires strict adherence to safety protocols

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 9 trades & vocational courses

Public67k to 67k

67k at Kamukunji Technical and Vocational College67k at Kamukunji Technical and Vocational College

Private50k to 100k

50k at Kimtech College100k at Vera Technical Training College

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

Kamukunji TVC 67,189/yr public. Kimtech 49.5K, Vera ~100K private (kamukunjitvc.ac.ke).

HELB offers loans and bursaries for TVET students. County government bursaries and NG-CDF funds are widely available. Some beauty product companies offer sponsorship programmes for students committed to using their product lines.

Funding options

HELB TVET Loan and Bursary
County Government Bursaries
NG-CDF Constituency Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Constituency-based bursary for needy students
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
All TVET students enrolled in KUCCPS-placed programmes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Certificate in Hairdressing Level 5, or equivalent qualification as determined by KNQA.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Internal Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Practical assessments on live models, technique demonstrations, and theory tests
External Assessment (TVET CDACC)
External60% of the mark
Competency-based external assessment conducted by TVET CDACC
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during three-month salon placement

Accreditation

Accredited by TVET CDACC (Hairdressing Level 6, code 101206T4, 245 credit hours) and regulated by TVETA. NITA also offers grade tests in hairdressing. Some institutions offer KNEC or City & Guilds examined variants.

Accredited by

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council
Curriculum and certificationRequired
Hairdressing Level 6, code 101206T4, 245 credit hours
National Industrial Training Authority
Trade testing
Offers grade tests in hairdressing
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Institutional regulationRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Senior Hairdresser
High demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 53,000
Provides advanced hairdressing services including cutting, colouring, and styling in salons and spas
Salon Manager
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 90,000
Manages salon operations, staff, inventory, and customer service standards
Hair Colourist
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 75,000
Specialises in hair colouring, highlighting, and colour correction services
Bridal Hairstylist
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Specialises in bridal and event hairstyling, often working freelance for weddings
Hairdressing Trainer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 70,000
Teaches hairdressing skills in TVET institutions, salons, or private training programmes

Graduate outcomes

Graduates are in high demand in Kenya's growing beauty industry valued at over KSH 100 billion. Entry-level hairdressers earn KSH 19,000 to KSH 53,000 per month, with experienced salon managers and specialists earning KSH 60,000 to KSH 150,000+ per month, especially in Nairobi and Mombasa.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Professional Salon Equipment
EquipmentPrimary
Styling chairs, hair dryers, hood dryers, clipper sets, and styling stations
Hair Colouring Products
ProductsPrimary
Professional hair colour, developer, toners, and lightening products
Chemical Treatment Products
ProductsPrimary
Relaxers, perm solutions, and chemical reformation products
Hair Addition Materials
Materials
Weaving caps, extension hair, bonding glue, and crocheting tools

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Hairdressing is a low-skill job with no career growth
The Level 6 diploma covers advanced techniques, salon management, and entrepreneurship, opening pathways to salon ownership, training, and specialised roles like hair colouring and bridal styling with significant earning potential.
You do not need formal training to be a hairdresser in Kenya
While informal training exists, formal TVET CDACC certification is increasingly required by premium salons, hotels, and spas. Certified hairdressers earn significantly more and have better career progression opportunities.