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Everything you need to know

Honest answers.
No runaround.

We believe in transparency. Every question about cost, process, outcomes, and what to expect, answered plainly and completely right here.

Cost & financing The program Enrolment process Career outcomes Our campuses Why we're affordable
What does it actually cost?
South Surrey campus
$13,170
Pay in full day one → $12,670 (save $500)
Tuition$9,000
Kit + tablet$3,500
Registration fee$250
GST/PST (kit only)$420
Total$13,170
Pay in full, save$500
Does my kit and tablet stay with me after graduation?
Yes, your professional kit and tablet are yours to keep. Everything in the kit is professional grade, the same tools working stylists use every day. You graduate with everything you need to start working immediately.
Are there any hidden fees or extra costs?
No. The breakdown above is everything. Tuition + kit + registration + tax on kit. No textbook fees, no uniform costs, no surprise charges. What you see is what you pay. We believe transparency builds trust, and trust is how we fill our classes.
Can I pay in installments?
Yes. A payment plan is available and outlined in detail in your enrolment contract. If you pay the full amount on or before your first day, you receive a $500 discount, bringing Vancouver total to $12,170 and Surrey to $12,670. The payment plan reverts to the full amount.
Does the program qualify for StudentAid BC?
Yes, we are StudentAid BC eligible
Our program qualifies for BC government student financial assistance. This means eligible students can access grants and loans to help cover tuition costs, making the program accessible even if you don't have the full amount upfront. Visit studentaidbc.ca to check your eligibility and apply. We recommend doing this before your campus visit so we can discuss your full financial picture together.
Why are we more affordable
than the competition?
Because we're hairdressers, not enrollment officers.

Most hair schools operate like businesses first and schools second. They employ large admissions teams, marketing departments, and student services staff, and they pass those costs directly to students in the form of higher tuition.

We don't operate that way. We are hairdressers. We are in the business of creating hairdressers. That doesn't require a huge team, a bloated administration, or aggressive recruitment. It requires great educators, a well-equipped space, and a curriculum that actually works.

When you strip away the overhead that doesn't serve students, the cost comes down, and the quality goes up. Our instructors are active industry professionals. Our director charges Canada's most exclusive haircut rate and has won Canadian Hairdresser of the Year six times. None of that costs you more. It's just how we operate.

We don't need to enrol every student who walks through the door. We need to enrol the right ones, and give them the best possible start.

How we compare on total cost
Aveda Institute Vancouver (kit included)From $12,170
Typical Vancouver hair school (kit extra)$18,900+ tuition, plus $3,450 kit
Competitor pricing based on publicly available information. Kit fees charged separately at other schools.
What will I actually learn?
How long is the program?
6 months, running 3 days per week at 8 hours per day, 600 hours total. Classes run Sunday to Tuesday in Vancouver and Monday to Wednesday in South Surrey, 10am to 6pm. This is the fastest path to a professional hairstylist credential in BC, most other programs take 1 to 2 years.
When do I start cutting real hair?
Within 2 hours of your first day. Most schools spend the first two weeks in theory before students touch a mannequin. We believe you learn hairdressing by doing hairdressing. You'll have scissors in your hands before your first day is over, supervised, guided, and supported every step of the way.
What curriculum do you use?
We are the only school in Canada combining Aveda's world-class wellness-based curriculum with Vidal Sassoon's legendary geometric cutting system. Both are globally recognized. You graduate with a credential that opens doors in any professional salon worldwide, not just Aveda salons.
What does the curriculum cover?
The program covers five core areas: cutting foundations (including Vidal Sassoon geometric technique), colour theory and application (balayage, foiling, toning, grey coverage), styling and finishing (blow-dry, editorial, bridal), business and client skills (consultation, retail, career development), and salon floor practicum with real clients under expert supervision.
What is the teacher-to-student ratio?
We have the highest instructor-to-student ratio in BC. Classes are capped at 7 students maximum. You receive genuine one-on-one attention every day, not the large classroom model most schools use where instructors are spread thin across 20+ students.
Can I work while studying?
Yes. Classes run 3 days per week leaving 4 days free. There is minimal homework, this is a hands-on practical program, not an academic one. Many of our students hold part-time jobs alongside the program without issue.
What credential do I graduate with?
You graduate with an Aveda Institute hairstylist certification incorporating Vidal Sassoon curriculum, the only school in Canada offering this combination. The Aveda credential is globally recognized and accepted at professional salons across Canada, the US, Europe, and beyond.
How do I get started?
Do I need any prior experience or qualifications?
No prior experience required. No specific education level required. We accept students who are passionate about hairdressing and committed to a professional career. If you're serious about it, we can teach you everything else.
What is the enrolment process?
Four steps: 1) Choose your intake date and download the contract from our enrol page. 2) We contact you within 24 hours to answer questions and schedule a campus visit. 3) Come in for a brief tour and conversation, this is as much for you as it is for us. 4) Once accepted, your spot is confirmed and we send you everything you need before day one.
How many spots are available per intake?
A maximum of 7 students per class. This is intentional, small classes mean better outcomes. Our February 2026 Surrey intake sold out in under 3 weeks. We recommend reserving your spot early, especially for upcoming intakes.
When are the next intake dates?
Vancouver: June 21 2026 (5 spots), September 20 2026 (7 spots), January 3 2027, March 28 2027. South Surrey: May 4 2026 (2 spots, almost gone), August 3 2026 (6 spots), November 2 2026. See all dates and reserve your spot on our enrol page.
What happens after I graduate?
What is the employment rate after graduation?
90% of our graduates find work in the industry. This is not a number we throw around lightly, it reflects years of deliberately training students who are genuinely employable, not just technically certified.
Do you help with job placement?
We don't just help, we have a direct pipeline. Space Salon, one of Vancouver's most respected salons, hires exclusively from our graduates. Many students receive job offers before they even finish the program. Our director and educators are active in the Vancouver salon community and know exactly who's hiring.
Can I work outside of Vancouver with this credential?
Yes. The Aveda Institute credential is globally recognized. Our graduates work in top salons across Canada, the US, the UK, Europe, and beyond. The Aveda name is understood and respected by salon owners worldwide, it signals a specific standard of training that travels with you wherever you go.
Can I eventually open my own salon?
Absolutely, and our Business & Client Skills module is specifically designed with this in mind. Our director built a salon company from 2 people to over 50 employees. The business fundamentals we teach go well beyond what most hair schools cover.
Where will I be training?
Which campus should I choose?
Choose the campus closest to you. Vancouver (1469 West 8th Avenue, Kitsilano) is ideal for Vancouver, North Shore, and Burnaby students, easy transit access from downtown. South Surrey (101-2828 152nd Street) serves Surrey, White Rock, Delta, Cloverdale, and Langley. Both campuses run the identical program with the same curriculum, standards, and outcomes.
Can I visit the campus before enrolling?
Yes, and we encourage it. A campus visit is part of our enrolment process. We want you to see the space, meet the educators, and ask every question you have in person before committing to anything. Call us or submit a contract to schedule yours: Vancouver 236-971-0543  |  Surrey 778-294-3344.
What are the class hours?
Vancouver: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, 10am to 6pm. South Surrey: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 10am to 6pm. Both campuses run 8-hour days, 3 days per week.

Still have
questions?

Call us directly or come in for a campus tour. We'd rather answer your questions in person than have you make a decision without full information.

View intakes & enrol → Call Vancouver, 236-971-0543 Call Surrey, 778-294-3344