About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 2 Year Diploma
  • Campus: Welland
  • Code: 0397 P0397
  • Delivery Length: 12 Months (3 Consecutive Terms)
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Overview

Do you enjoy making people feel good about themselves and want to apply your passion and artistic flair to a career in hairstyling?

As a Hairstyling graduate, you qualified for entry into a hairstyling apprenticeship leading to a rewarding career helping clients look and feel their best.

This program has a 12 month accelerated delivery which awards a 2 year Ontario College Diploma.

Highlights
  • Gain fundamental knowledge of hair design through hands-on learning in current hairstyling labs.

  • Work closely with industry employers to learn innovative technical skills and styling trends.

  • Learn from experienced faculty who encourage individual creativity.

  • Graduates are eligible to register with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development as an apprentice in order to complete on-the-job, in-salon training.

  • Completion of the apprenticeship term qualifies graduates to write the Provincial Certificate of Qualification Exam (C of Q) for their Hairstylist Provincial Licence.

  • The NC Teaching Hair Salon is an educational salon serviced by students of the Niagara College Hairstyling, Barbering and Hairstylist Apprenticeship programs in the Pavilion building at the Welland Campus.

Career Opportunities
  • Brand ambassador or educator
  • Business owner
  • Chemical technician
  • Colour technician/specialist
  • Freelance
  • Hairstylist
  • Haircutting technician/specialist
  • Platform artist
  • Product sales representative
  • Salon consultant, manager or receptionist

Please note that some courses in this program may be scheduled on evenings and weekends.

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Courses

Term one (2025 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
COMM1125 Essentials of Workplace Communication 3
HSTL1103 Hairstyling and Design I 4
HSTL1106 Scalp and Hair Treatment 2
HSTL1114 Hair Colouring I 5
HSTL1115 Chemical Processing I 5
HSTL1117 Hairstyling and Cutting I 9
HSTL1101 Basic Short Haircuts 4
HSTL1118 Ethics and Professional Practice 4
Term two (2026 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
HSTL1203 Hairstyling and Design II 4
COMM1308 Understanding Society: Communication Model 3
HSTL1109 Hair Salon Clinic I 12
HSTL1207 Hairstyling and Cutting II 6
HSTL1208 Retailing, Professionalism and Customer Service 3
HSTL1214 Hair Colouring II 5
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

Term three (2026 Spring)
Code Course Name Credits
HSTL1209 Hair Salon Clinic II 12
ESTH1121 Nails and Makeup Techniques 3
HSTL1317 Hairstyling and Cutting III 5
HSTL1314 Hair Colouring III 5
HSTL1313 Hairstyling and Design III 5
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective(s) 2 courses required

Learning Outcomes Term: 1254
  1. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to complete all work in adherence to professional ethics, government regulations, workplace standards and policies, and according to manufacturer's specifications as applicable

  2. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to facilitate the provision of healthy and safe working environments and perform sanitization procedures in accordance with related health regulations and legislation.

  3. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to apply entrepreneurial skills to the operation and administration of a hair stylist business.

  4. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to adapt to various and changing technologies, applications and procedures in the hair styling industry, and develop and present a plan outlining future professional development.

  5. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to develop and use client service strategies that meet and adapt to individual client needs and expectations.

  6. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to select and administer preparatory procedures and/or treatments to the hair and scalp using individually selected products to meet the expectations of the client.

  7. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to identify, select and use a variety of tools to cut hair according to the needs and expectations of the client.

  8. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to select and use standard and specialized techniques to effectively style wet and dry hair.

  9. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to perform a permanent wave using current and relevant methods according to hair type and style.

  10. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to chemically relax hair by selecting and applying relevant knowledge of, and skills with chemical products and techniques in order to meet the needs and expectation of the client.

  11. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to colour, lighten, tone, highlight and lowlight hair and/or remove pigment to the level of colour desired.

  12. The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to compare and contrast fibre types, application procedures, specialized tools, and maintenance procedures when working with hair additions.

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Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
  • English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
Selection and Ranking

Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Computer Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows-based desktop or laptop that meets or exceeds the following general requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop running on an updated Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 11 recommended).
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory (note that 16 GB memory is strongly recommended).
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone, and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities. A minimum download speed of 10 – 50 Mbps is recommended.

Niagara College may not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications as provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: We do not provide support for Chromebooks or Apple products. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

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Availability

Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.

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Tuition

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