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NQual – The Forward-Thinking Ofqual Awarding Body for Hair and Beauty

NQual is an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation specialising in hair, beauty, spa, and aesthetics qualifications that reflect the modern industry and the needs of today’s learners and training providers.

We understand that the beauty sector is evolving faster than ever,  with new techniques, treatments, and technologies reshaping how education is delivered. That’s why we’re committed to developing relevant, high-quality qualifications and apprenticeship assessments that keep pace with change and help learners achieve real success.

Our purpose is simple: to make the awarding and assessment process smoother, faster, and more supportive for everyone involved. We believe that an awarding body should be more than a name on a certificate,  it should be a partner in education, helping centres deliver meaningful, respected qualifications that raise professional standards across the industry.

Built for Training Providers

Training providers, academies, and colleges choose NQual because we prioritise partnership and communication. From your first enquiry to ongoing moderation and support, our team works closely with you to ensure compliance, clarity, and confidence.

We know that delays and poor communication can hold your business back, so we’ve designed our systems to remove those barriers. Every email is answered within 48 hours, certification is issued within 48 hours of a successful claim, and all guidance is clear, structured, and easy to follow.

Our centre approval process is simple, supportive, and transparent. Once approved, providers gain access to comprehensive materials including assessment guidance, marking schemes, templates, delivery resources, and quality assurance support. This ensures consistency across every stage of qualification delivery, whether you’re teaching a small cohort or managing multiple campuses.

Modern Qualifications That Reflect Real Industry Standards

NQual qualifications are created in collaboration with industry experts, educators, and employers, ensuring they reflect the real demands of salons, spas, and aesthetic clinics today. Every qualification is designed to help learners develop both professional skill and personal confidence, preparing them not just for assessment, but for real-world success.

We offer a growing portfolio of Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications across hairdressing, barbering, beauty therapy, holistic treatments, and advanced aesthetics, with additional development underway in emerging areas such as business management and social media for the beauty sector.

Our qualifications are reviewed annually through “soft reviews” and comprehensively updated every three years to ensure ongoing relevance, compliance with national occupational standards, and integration of the latest techniques and technologies.

Fast, Reliable Certification

For many providers, delays in certification can impact learner progression and reputation. NQual was built to eliminate that problem.
We issue certificates within 48 hours of approved claims, helping centres maintain credibility, build trust with learners, and plan their delivery cycles without interruption.

We take pride in being known as one of the most responsive awarding bodies in the UK, with a consistent focus on communication and speed without compromising quality or regulatory standards.

Apprenticeship End-Point Assessment (EPA)

As part of our commitment to supporting vocational routes, NQual delivers apprenticeship end-point assessments for hair and beauty disciplines. Our assessment processes are clear, structured, and benchmarked against Ofqual standards, ensuring that both learners and employers have full confidence in their outcomes.

This approach supports apprentices, employers, and training centres equally, allowing for fair, flexible, and compliant completion of qualifications.

Supporting Centres Every Step of the Way

Becoming an approved centre shouldn’t be complicated. At NQual, we’ve simplified the process so training providers can focus on what they do best,  teaching and mentoring learners.

Our team provides full guidance on application requirements, documentation, internal quality assurance, and compliance. Once approved, centres are assigned an external quality assurer (EQA) who works alongside them to maintain consistent standards and provide ongoing feedback.

We also offer training and professional development opportunities for tutors and assessors, helping them stay up to date with current practice and assessment methods.

Why Training Providers Choose NQual

NQual is trusted by training providers who want a reliable, forward-thinking awarding partner that values education, communication, and industry relevance. Our transparent structure, fast certification, and hands-on support help centres grow and retain learners with confidence.

Providers working with NQual benefit from:

• Ofqual-regulated qualifications that meet national standards

• Clear guidance and simple compliance systems

• Fast turnaround on queries and certification

• Dedicated support from an expert team

• Industry-informed qualification content

• Real partnership, not bureaucracy

We believe that a modern awarding body should move at the same pace as the industry it represents and at NQual, that’s exactly what we do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are NQual qualifications Ofqual regulated?
Yes. All NQual qualifications are Ofqual-regulated and meet the latest national occupational standards. This ensures quality, credibility, and universal recognition within the UK education framework.

How long does certification take?
Certificates are issued within 48 hours of successful claims, ensuring learners can progress quickly and providers can maintain their professional reputation.

How can I become an approved NQual training centre?
You can apply directly to become an approved centre through a guided, supportive process. Our approval team helps you every step of the way, from completing documentation to meeting quality assurance requirements.

What levels of qualifications are available?
NQual offers a growing range of Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in hairdressing, barbering, beauty therapy, holistic treatments, and advanced aesthetics, with new qualifications regularly introduced.

Do you provide apprenticeship end-point assessments (EPA)?
Yes, we deliver EPA services across multiple hair and beauty pathways, supporting employers and providers in meeting national apprenticeship standards.

What makes NQual different from other awarding bodies?
Our communication, speed, and relevance. We answer emails within 48 hours, issue certificates rapidly, and maintain qualification content that reflects current salon and spa practices — not outdated material.

How do you support centres after approval?
We offer ongoing moderation, compliance support, and access to quality assurance guidance, assessor training, and updates on qualification developments.

NQual is an Ofqual-regulated awarding body specialising in hair, beauty, and aesthetics qualifications for training providers, academies, and colleges. Known for fast certification, responsive support, and modern qualification design, NQual helps educators deliver current, compliant, and industry-relevant training that meets both learner needs and employer expectations.