Information for Students

Fund your career in beauty & hair without the financial worry

Whether you're starting a hairdressing, beauty or holistic therapy apprenticeship, or retraining through a government-backed Advanced Learner Loan, we'll help you find the right funding and support to succeed.

Explore your options Talk to student support
Hair stylist teaching apprentice stylists on a client's hair
£25,000/yrRepayment threshold
9%Repaid above threshold
£300Minimum loan
£180–195/wkCare to Learn
£1,200Vulnerable Bursary
£50Refer-a-friend voucher
Choose where to start

Everything you need to know, one topic at a time

Open the section that matters to you, whether that's loans, eligibility, extra support, payment plans or discounts. No need to read the whole page.

1 For 19+ students

Advanced Learner Loans

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If you're aged 19 or over and looking to study a Level 3 Diploma in hairdressing, beauty therapy or nail technology, you may be eligible for a government-backed Advanced Learner Loan, with no upfront cost to start your course.

  • No upfront costs, so you can start studying without paying out of pocket
  • No credit checks, and eligibility doesn't depend on your income
  • Borrow some or all of your course fees, minimum loan £300, paid directly to us, not to you
  • Take out up to 4 loans over your lifetime, and hold more than one at a time
  • Perfect for career changers moving into hair, beauty or holistic therapy

We'll support you through the loan application process to make it simple and stress-free. See the official overview at gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan, or browse our loan-funded Level 3 Diplomas and apprenticeships.

2 Plain-English explainer

How and when you repay

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You only start repaying once your income is over the repayment threshold, currently £25,000 a year (£2,083 a month, or £480 a week). Repayments are due to start the April after you finish or leave your course.

9%Of your income above the threshold, not a fixed monthly amount
PausesAutomatically if your income drops below the threshold, and restarts if it rises again
InterestCharged from the day you receive your first payment
OptionalYou can make extra voluntary repayments at any time, but you don't have to

Use the free MoneyHelper loan repayment calculator, or check current thresholds at gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan.

3 Check this first

Grants, extra help & write-offs

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You might not need a loan at all. If you're studying a Level 3 qualification, you might be eligible for an Adult Education Budget grant instead, and grants don't need to be repaid. Ask us about grant funding before you apply for a loan, we'll always check this option first.
Loan Bursary Fund. Once your loan is approved, you may be able to apply for help with costs like travel, course materials, childcare, or classroom support for a disability or learning difficulty.
Progressing further? If your course is an Access to Higher Education course and you go on to complete a higher education course, any outstanding loan balance for that Access course is written off.
4 Loan eligibility

Who's eligible

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You'll generally be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan if:

  • You're 19 or older on the first day of your course
  • Your course is a Level 3 (or above) qualification at an approved provider in England (like Cedars Training Academy)
  • You meet the nationality and residency requirements: most UK nationals and settled residents qualify, with routes to eligibility for many other residency statuses too

Residency rules can be detailed depending on your circumstances, so speak to our team and we'll check your eligibility with you directly. Popular loan-funded courses include the Level 3 Diploma Beauty Therapy Massage, Level 3 Diploma in Nail Technology, and Level 3 VRQ Diploma in Women's Hairdressing.

5 Find your course

Explore courses by discipline

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Advanced Learner Loans and funded training are available across all of our disciplines, so find the right course for your career:

HairdressingLevel 2 & Level 3 apprenticeships BarberingApprenticeships & funded courses Beauty TherapyLevel 2 & Level 3 apprenticeships Nail TechnologyLevel 3 apprenticeship & Diploma Holistic & Wellbeing TherapyLevel 3 apprenticeship & funded courses Customer ServiceLevel 2 & Level 3 apprenticeships

Looking for something shorter? See our short courses for continuous professional development, from Indian Head Massage to Gua Sha Facial.

6 16–18s & young parents

Additional learner support

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£180–195/wkCare to Learn, for parents under 20 in education, plus a one-off £80 registration fee
FreeFree Meals for 16–18s from low-income households
Up to £1,200Vulnerable Bursary for eligible 16–18 year olds in care, care leavers, or on certain benefits
Kit & GearHelp with uniforms, kit, product bags or books

Need a laptop or internet help? Speak to us about digital access. See the official Care to Learn guidance and 16 to 19 Bursary Fund guidance on GOV.UK.

7 Self-funding

Payment plans & flexible options

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Not eligible for a loan or grant? Don't worry, we offer flexible payment options to help spread the cost of your course, whether you're self-funding or changing careers.

Pay in full upfront Set up a payment plan with us Use Clearpay for easy instalments

Speak with our team to explore the payment options available for your course.

8 Know someone?

Refer a friend

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£50

Refer a friend to one of our apprenticeship or funded training programmes. If they enrol and stay on for 42+ days, you get a £50 Amazon voucher. There's no limit to how many friends you can refer.

Contact us to make a referral.

9 Money off, everywhere

Student discounts

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As an apprentice or adult learner, you're entitled to great discounts, just like university students.

TOTUM Apprentice & Student Card: save on food, fashion, tech, travel and more at totum.com.

  • ASOS
  • Greggs
  • Co-op
  • Apple
  • Samsung
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Prime

Travel & Rail Discounts: most require proof of study or apprenticeship.

  • 16–25 Railcard
  • 26–30 Railcard
  • Local travel passes
10 Common questions

FAQs

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Do I need a good credit score to get an Advanced Learner Loan?

No. There are no credit checks for Advanced Learner Loans, and your eligibility doesn't depend on your income or anyone else's.

What happens to my loan if I don't finish the course?

You'll usually still owe the amount that was paid to us on your behalf up to the point you left, and repayments work the same way, only once your income is over the threshold. Speak to us as early as possible if you're thinking of leaving, as it may affect your options.

Will an Advanced Learner Loan affect my benefits?

The loan itself doesn't count as income for means-tested benefits. However, if someone else is claiming an Adult Dependants' Grant on your behalf, their award could be affected if you take out a loan, so it's worth checking with Citizens Advice or Student Finance England if this applies to you.

Can I get a loan if I already have a Level 3 qualification?

Yes, in many cases. You can apply for up to 4 Advanced Learner Loans over your lifetime, and can take another loan for a different subject at the same level. Speak to us and we'll confirm your eligibility for your specific course.

How long does it take to get approved?

If you apply online, you'll usually get a decision within about 2 weeks. Postal applications take longer. You'll need a 'learning and funding information' letter from us before you can apply.

11 Verify anything here

Useful official links

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Still have questions?

Get in touch and we'll help you find the right course and funding route for you.

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