Kenya course-fee guide · Checked August 2026
Hairdressing Course Fees in Kenya
What learners pay, what the advertised fee may leave out, and the official NIT Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology options.
Quick answer
Set aside KSh 35,000 for the NIT Grade III course and examination
The complete NIT course fee is KSh 30,000. The separate NITA examination fee is KSh 5,000 and is paid directly to NITA. NIT also offers a focused two-month Hairdressing short course at KSh 10,000.
- Full-course fee
- Two teaching terms
- Attachment included
- NITA examination
- Short option available
Hairdressing Course Fees in Kenya at a Glance
If you are comparing hairdressing course fees in Kenya, first check whether the advertised price is monthly, per term or for the complete programme. There is no single national fee. Duration, facilities, products and the assessment route all affect the amount a learner finally pays.
The ranges below were checked against publicly advertised Kenyan college fees in August 2026. They are planning figures, not quotations.
| Training pathway | Typical length | Planning range | Usual focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focused short skill | 1–2 months | KSh 10,000–30,000 | One service such as braiding, locks, cutting or colouring |
| Foundation course | About 3 months | KSh 25,000–45,000 | Basic salon services and supervised practice |
| Certificate-level training | 6–12 months | KSh 30,000–70,000 | Broader entry-level hairdressing preparation |
| Diploma or advanced pathway | 8–9 months | KSh 55,000–100,000+ | Wider technical depth, practice and business skills |
| Combined cosmetology | 9–12 months | KSh 70,000–130,000+ | Hair, beauty, nail and related services |
Swipe sideways to view the complete table.
Planning note
The market ranges are indicative. NIT’s confirmed fees and programme structure are stated separately below.
Official NIT Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology Fees
NIT offers three Grade III certificate routes: Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology. Each takes one year, made up of two teaching terms and an attachment. The KSh 30,000 fee is for the complete course, not for one term.
30,000
Paid to Newton Institute of Technology for Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy or Cosmetology.
Paid directly to NITA. Keep the NIT and NITA receipts separately.
| NIT programme | Duration | Full-course fee | NITA exam fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressing — Grade III | 1 year: 2 terms + attachment | KSh 30,000 | KSh 5,000; paid directly to NITA |
| Beauty Therapy — Grade III | 1 year: 2 terms + attachment | KSh 30,000 | KSh 5,000; paid directly to NITA |
| Cosmetology — Grade III | 1 year: 2 terms + attachment | KSh 30,000 | KSh 5,000; paid directly to NITA |
Swipe sideways to view the complete table.
NIT Short Courses: Two Months at KSh 10,000
These are focused short courses.
Why the Cheapest Advertised Fee Is Not Always the Lowest Cost
A poster may show a monthly figure while another college quotes the whole course. Both can look reasonable until products, tools, examinations and transport are added. Compare like with like and get the complete breakdown in writing.
A two-month specialist class is not the same purchase as a one-year Grade III certificate.
Shampoo, treatments, relaxers, colour and braiding hair may be supplied, shared or bought by the learner.
Scissors, combs, brushes, clippers, a dryer, protective wear or a mannequin head can change the starting budget.
Equipment matters, but so does the number of learners sharing it and the supervised work each person completes.
Over several months, fares, meals or accommodation can outweigh a small difference in tuition.
What the Advertised Course Fee May Leave Out
Do not assume that the word “fees” covers everything. Take this checklist to Admissions and write down the answer beside each item.
| Cost item | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Is the amount monthly, per term or for the complete course? |
| Registration | Is it paid once, and is it refundable? |
| Training materials | Which salon products are supplied during practical lessons? |
| Personal kit | Which tools must the learner buy and keep? |
| Uniform and ID | Are they compulsory and included in the quoted total? |
| External examination | Which body assesses the programme, and what is the current fee? |
| Completion costs | Are there certificate, graduation or other end-of-course charges? |
Swipe sideways to view the complete table.
A low monthly figure can become expensive when products are bought every week, assessment is billed later and the daily journey is long. Add the full course period, not only the first payment.
What You Should Be Able to Do by the End
Hairdressing is hands-on work. Watching a trainer is only the beginning; the learner needs enough guided practice to carry out a service safely, finish it neatly and explain after-care to a client.
Check the hair and scalp, prepare the client and maintain hygienic tools and work areas.
Shampoo, condition, blow-dry and finish hair correctly.
Practise braiding, weaving, extensions, dreadlocks and protective styles.
Use cutting tools and clippers safely where relevant to the programme.
Handle relaxing, colouring and related services with the correct safety controls.
Build confidence in client care, pricing, stock control, records and portfolio work.
Value check: find out how practice is organised
A smart salon lab is useful, but it does not tell you how much hands-on time you will receive. Find out how workstations are shared, whether learners practise on mannequins and real models, and how finished services are assessed.
Which Course Fits the Work You Want to Do?
Choose from the services you want to offer, not from the course name alone.
Main focus: Cutting, styling, braiding, weaving, colour, chemical services and salon hair care.
Best fit: Stylist, mobile hairdresser, salon assistant or hair-business owner.
Main focus: Skin care, facials, massage, waxing, body treatments and related client care.
Best fit: Beauty therapist, spa attendant or self-employed service provider.
Main focus: A broader combination of hair, beauty and nail services.
Best fit: A learner planning a wider service menu or multi-service salon.
Main focus: One income-generating skill such as nails, barbering, hairdressing or makeup.
Best fit: A working stylist adding a service or a beginner testing a specific field.
NIT Entry Requirements and the NITA Examination
NIT uses an open-qualification route for these courses. Applicants may join with a KCPE certificate or a KCSE grade of D− or below. A high academic grade is not the deciding factor; genuine interest and practical ability matter.
For the NIT Grade III certificate courses in this guide, the NITA examination costs KSh 5,000. It is not part of the KSh 30,000 NIT course fee and is paid directly to NITA.
KCPE or KCSE D− and below
A Six-Step Fee Comparison That Actually Works
- Write down the exact course title, level and duration for each college.
- Get the complete fee structure in writing and label every figure: monthly, per term or full course.
- Add compulsory extras, including the learner’s kit, products, uniform and assessment costs.
- Check practical hours, workstations, mannequins, models and trainer supervision.
- Add fares, meals or accommodation for the full training period.
- Compare the total budget, qualification and amount of real practice — not tuition alone.
The NIT Options, in Plain English
Choose Grade III Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy or Cosmetology. Pay KSh 30,000 to NIT and KSh 5,000 directly to NITA for the examination.
Choose Barbering, Nail Technology, Professional Makeup Artistry, Massage Technology, Hairdressing or Salon Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a hairdressing course cost in Kenya?
A focused one- or two-month course commonly falls around KSh 10,000–30,000, while longer certificate programmes vary with duration and what the college includes. At NIT, Grade III Hairdressing is KSh 30,000 for the full course, plus KSh 5,000 paid directly to NITA for the examination.
How much is the Hairdressing course at Newton Institute of Technology?
The one-year NIT Grade III Hairdressing course is KSh 30,000. Add the separate KSh 5,000 NITA examination fee, bringing those two charges to KSh 35,000.
How long does NIT’s Hairdressing course take?
The Grade III certificate takes one year, consisting of two teaching terms and an attachment. NIT also offers a focused Hairdressing short course lasting two months.
Can I join NIT with KCPE or a low KCSE grade?
Yes. The entry route is open qualification. A KCPE certificate or a KCSE grade of D− or below may be used, with emphasis on interest and practical ability.
Does the advertised tuition include a hairdressing kit?
Not always. Ask for a list of supplied products and the tools the learner must buy. The kit may include scissors, combs, brushes, clippers, a dryer, protective wear and a mannequin head, depending on the programme.
Is the NITA examination fee included in NIT’s KSh 30,000 fee?
No. For the Grade III certificate courses described here, the KSh 5,000 NITA examination fee is separate and paid directly to NITA.
Which short courses does NIT offer and how much do they cost?
NIT offers Barbering, Nail Technology, Professional Makeup Artistry, Massage Technology, Hairdressing and Salon Management. Each course lasts two months and costs KSh 10,000.
Which course is best if I want to open a salon?
Hairdressing suits a business focused mainly on hair services. Cosmetology may be a better foundation for someone planning to combine hair, beauty and nail services.
Where is Newton Institute of Technology located?
NIT is in Migori Town, along the Migori–Sirare Highway in Namba Area, approximately 0.3 km opposite Rubis Filling Station.
Confirm Your NIT Intake and Payment Details
Contact Admissions for the next intake, timetable, attachment arrangements, required tools and the correct payment instructions.
Namba Area, along Migori–Sirare Highway.
Sources Checked
- Official NIT course, fee and entry information supplied by the institution, 16 August 2026.
- NIT Beauty & Wellness programmes
- NIT Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy course guide
- NIT institutional information
- NITA Hairdressing and Beauty training information
- NITA trade-testing areas