How do you become a hairdresser in Denmark?

Foreword

You don’t need to train as a hairdresser to open your salon or to call yourself a hairdresser. “Hairdresser” isn’t a protected title. Still, many choose to train because it helps you become a better hairdresser, and the “4-year” hairdresser training is seen by many as a kind of stamp of approval.

Should you take an education?

That’s entirely up to you. Do you need the education? Would it make your working life easier? If yes, then take the education.

The 4 routes into the 4-year vocational education as a hairdresser

You’ve decided to take the education? Great! Below we look at the four different routes into the 4-year vocational education as a hairdresser, and how you can find the right one for you.

First route: Start on Basic Course 1 (GF1)

Basic Course 1 is for you if you’re coming straight from 9th/10th grade. If you’ve just needed a short break, don’t worry — you simply need to have finished 9th or 10th grade less than 14 months before the start of school for GF1. Now you’re in — really exciting! GF1 lasts 6 months and includes both practical and theoretical teaching.

Some people can actually skip GF1 entirely. For example, if you have a signed apprenticeship agreement before the start of school and you’ve passed your 9th/10th grade exams, you can skip GF1 completely.

Second route: Start on Basic Course 2 (GF2)

When you’ve finished GF1, you can continue on to GF2. GF2 lasts 20 weeks and focuses on the subjects that give you a basic understanding of the hairdressing trade.

Third route: Start as a new master’s apprentice

If you start as a new master’s apprentice, you replace both Basic Course 1 and 2 with an apprenticeship placement in a hair salon — does it get better than that? You still need to have passed your 9th/10th grade exams, and you also need to pass three theory subjects to continue in the education. If you worry about theory subjects, it may be a good idea to consider GF1 and GF2 to get ready. Just because you can skip some basic courses doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. Is it right for you?

Fourth route: EUX

Last but not least: the hairdresser training can be taken as an EUX, where it’s combined with an upper secondary school exam, which also gives you access to other higher education programmes. The EUX route lasts 5 years and 6 months, but gives you a broader understanding you can use if you later find out that life as a hairdresser isn’t for you after all.

Hairdressing schools in Denmark

1. NEXT Copenhagen
2. EUC Zealand, Næstved
3. South Danish Vocational School (SDE) in Odense
4. TechCollege in Aalborg
5. Hansenberg in Kolding
6. Rybners – EUD in Esbjerg
7. EUC Syd in Aabenraa
8. Aarhus Tech
9. Tradium in Randers
10. Herningholm EUD in Herning
11. Struer State Upper Secondary School

Your first year at school: What can you expect?

The first year of the hairdresser training is a journey into both theory and practice. You won’t just have scissors in your hand — you’ll also build a solid understanding of design principles within the trade and develop your skills in colour theory. This first year of the hairdresser training is the foundation for your journey towards becoming a trained hairdresser. From theoretical knowledge to practical skill training, you’re well on your way to shaping your own path and style.

Understanding design and styles through the ages

The teaching covers different styles over time, so you gain a deep understanding of design, trends, and the history behind the trade. From classic to modern trends, you’ll learn to identify and create different looks that suit each client’s unique style and face shape.

Colour theory

Colour is an important part of hairdressing work. You’ll learn colour theory and techniques for applying and mixing colours for the best possible result. You’ll also get guidance on safe handling of different products, so you protect both the client and yourself. Remember, you’re working with real chemicals.

Practical teaching in cutting, colour, and perm

Your first practical teaching includes cutting, colouring, and perming. You’ll get hands-on experience adapting techniques to different hair types to achieve professional results.

The main course of the hairdresser training

Here you alternate between apprenticeship and school periods, and the journey towards technical skill and independence truly begins now. Let’s look at how this stage shapes you into a skilled hairdresser — and a good human being.

More than just cutting – understanding people

The best hairdressers aren’t only skilled in technique; they’re also good with people. In this part of the education, you’re taught psychology, giving you insight into how people think and how they act. Some think this may be the most important part of the entire education.

Service subjects and business understanding

Alongside psychology, you also learn other service subjects that give you business insight and knowledge of day-to-day life in a salon. This includes understanding what it takes to run a successful business and give your clients an outstanding experience.

Exam

Your hairdresser education ends with an exam that tests your skills and knowledge. It’s the moment when you show that you’re ready to step out as a fully trained and capable hairdresser.

Is there anything you aren’t taught?

The practical side — meaning the actual day-to-day of being a hairdresser — is expected to be learned through your apprenticeship. So you need to be good at asking your master questions to get better. A big part of being in an apprenticeship, though, is also simply being allowed to stand in a real salon — maybe for the first time?

You also won’t necessarily receive practical knowledge about setting up a business, VAT reporting, bookkeeping, and so on. That’s actually why I write posts like this: to make you wiser about everything you might not learn at school or at your apprenticeship placement.

Final words

If you feel you could use the education to improve your cutting techniques and maybe your people skills with clients, then sign up. Even if you’re only doing it for the title, sign up. You need to feel at ease when you go to work, and if an education can give you that, then sign up.