Course Information
The following information should answer most of the general questions you have about our programs, but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have a question whose answer is not included below.
The Program
Our program covers Theoretical and Practical instruction in the following areas:
Professional Ethics and Image
Bacteriology and Sanitation
Chemistry
Hair Structure, Hair and Skin Disorders
Anatomy and Physiology
Chemical Texturing
Colouring and Bleaching
Hair Cutting and Design for Men and Women
Hair and Scalp Treatments
Makeup
Extensions
Barbering and Shaving
Course Duration
Beauty Culture training within the Province of Alberta requires 1400 hours of instruction which is delivered in person only, no online options are available. Students at Est-elle Academy are given 39 weeks, or approximately nine months, to complete this training (a student could finish in as little as 37 weeks). Classes run from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday to Saturday. This is a large commitment of time, so please be prepared to make the necessary sacrifices.
Enrollment
Est-elle Academy enrolls students five times a year (about every two months). These classes will usually start on the first Tuesday in January, March, May, Mid August, and November.
Admission Requirements
Standard Admission: The minimum requirements for consideration for enrollment is that every applicant must be at least 17 years of age, have a high school diploma (a diploma from another Canadian Province or Territory can be accepted) and possess a mature and professional attitude. Please note that for those students who do not have a high school diploma a CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential) or GED will be accepted in its place. All applicants must provide a copy of either their high school transcripts, CAEC or GED before an application will be eligible for processing and consideration.
A student who is still in high school may apply for admission as long as they have completed at least Grade 11 and are currently enrolled or will be enrolled in Grade 12 and will complete their diploma requirements prior to the start of the class they are applying for a conditional acceptance. Once transcripts showing that the applicant has achieved their diploma are provided to the school a contract will be forwarded to the student for signing to secure their spot in the class.
For someone applying with a high school diploma from outside of Canada they must submit their documents to IQAS for assessment and provide the written assessment to the school along with a copy of their diploma.
Upon receipt of an application and supporting transcripts the applicant will be contacted by phone or email to determine if the applicant has the ability to arrange an in person visit of the school, or to make arrangements for a telephone interview. The purpose of the interview to ensure that the applicant understands the course requirements and demands, to answer any and all questions they may have about the course, and to offer any guidance on what a career in hairstyling is all about so that they are confident in their suitability to the career. The preference for an in person interview exists since we provide an applicant with the opportunity to be shown around the school by a current student so that they can ask questions as to what a student experience is like from someone who is experiencing it first-hand.
Mature Student Admission: An applicant that is at least 18 and who has not graduated from high school or have a CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential) or GED can be considered for admission using the Wonderlic SEL or Wonderlic SEL-Q exams and achieving a score of at least 20 on the SEL or a 15 on the SEL-Q. All applicants must provide copies of their certified scores (CAEC, GED, Wonderlic SEL or SEL-Q) to Est-elle Academy before an application will be processed.
Each applicant will also be required to meet all other elements of the Standard Admission Requirements including those related to provision of supporting documentation, and interviews.
English Language Learner Applicant: For Applicants whose primary language is not English and who have not taken any formal schooling in English (does not include ESL classes) must supply one of the following:
- a TOEFL Internet-Based Test (iBT) In-person, paper, home edition accepted.,
- Duolingo English Test
- Canadian Academic English Language Assessment - CAEL (paper) or CAEL CE (online) exam score with their application.
Results needed:
- TOEFL - For tests taken before January 21, 2026: Total score of 90 with no section less than 21. For tests taken on or after January 21, 2026, only the 1-6 score scale* is considered: Overall score of at least 4.5, with no individual band score below 4.5
- Duolingo - At least 120 for English Language Proficiency, with no integrated subscore below 100. (Individual subscores are not applicable)
- CAEL or CAEL CE - A score of at least 70, with no band less than 60
Each applicant will also be required to meet all other elements of the Standard Admission Requirements including those related to provision of supporting documentation, and interviews.
Applicants with Disabilities: For any applicant with a Disability all efforts will be made to make accommodations for them.
For disabilities related to learning disabilities that require extra time for exams, quiet exams space, or readers this will be done immediately upon provision of written proof of such a need.
For disabilities related to developmental or physical issues this may mean that accommodations could be creating altered, or shorter term audited classes that the applicant could do. As this is a program designed to take a person to employment in a Licensed Trade there are certain elements that each person must be able to meet through the passing of Theoretical and Practical Exams administered by the Apprenticeship Board in the Province of Alberta. The physical nature of the course (Hairstyling) and the exams means that in all areas the ability to stand, and use one’s hands will be necessary for almost all issues related to the practical instruction of the program. However, attending theory classes could be accommodated upon consultation with the applicant and determining their physical or developmental capacity.
Additionally, there could be the potential of modifying some of the practical instruction to meet a limited physical or developmental impairment. This would need to be determined on a case by case basis and we are prepared to work diligently with any applicant in these circumstances and may include providing instruction of skills that do not cause any potential injury to the applicant (use of hot tools, and sharp instruments are used in almost all areas and ensuring that neither a student or an instructor or service guest could be hurt is a primary concern). Additionally, the course sections could need to be done in an Audited basis as it could be modified to the point that it would not meet the Apprenticeship Board Standards.
Regardless, Est-elle Academy is committed to providing accommodations wherever possible up to the point of causing undue hardship and detrimental interference with instruction to other students working towards their employment goals.
Guiding Principle: In all things the guiding principle of all of our entrance requirements is to ensure that each applicant is adequately prepared for the program and is in the best possible position to pass the course when combined with their dedication to their studies. Any applicant who is unable to meet the minimum requirements for Standard or Mature Admission or English Learner requirements where applicable cannot be considered for admission and allowed to sign an Alberta Student Enrollment Contract .
You can submit an application either by visiting our website at www.est-elle.ab.ca and filling out the online application or by using the attached paper application. Either way you must forward a copy of your high school transcripts and three (3) reference letters to complete the application process.
Testing and Evaluations
To pass the course a student must maintain an average of at least 75% on both their Theoretical and Practical tests and evaluations. There are a series of written exams, including topic specific semi-final exams, and a comprehensive final exam, administered every second Thursday morning. Practical assessments are done throughout the course, culminating in a full day comprehensive practical test that mirrors the Provincial exam that all students will have to pass prior to receiving their license. We have high expectations of our students and hold them to a standard that we believe ensures that they are ready for their Provincial exams.
Personal Image
Each student is expected to maintain a professional image at all times when at school. This includes the way they dress, their hair and make-up, the cleanliness of their work station, as well as their general deportment and conduct with fellow students, teachers and customers.
School Handbook
For your benefit a copy of the School Handbook is here for your review.
Program Costs
The total cost of the program is as follows:
Current Fee Structure
| Kit & Supplies | $3,333.33 |
| GST | $166.67 |
| Tuition | $12,500.00 |
| Total | $16,000.00 |
Payments made in full on the first day of the program qualify for a $700.00 discount on the cost of the tuition bringing the total down to $15,300.00.
Monthly Payment Option:
Initial Payment on the 1st day of class - $8000.00 ($3500.00 for Kit, GST and $4500 for Tuition)
Monthly Payment for the next 8 months - $1000.00 (8 x $1000.00 = $8000.00)
Total Paid - $16,000.00
Fee Structure as of Aug 2026
| Kit & Supplies | $3,619.05 |
| GST | $180.95 |
| Tuition | $13,000.00 |
| Total | $16,800.00 |
Payments made in full on the first day of the program qualify for a $700.00 discount on the cost of the tuition bringing the total down to $16,100.00.
Monthly Payment Option:
Initial Payment on the 1st day of class - $8400.00 ($3800.00 for Kit, GST and $4600 for Tuition)
Monthly Payment for the next 8 months - $1050.00 (8 x $1050.00 = $8400.00)
Total Paid - $16,800.00
Please contact the school if you have any questions regarding fees and financing or click the Read More button to the right for information regarding the repayment of a student loan.
As you are looking at applying to go school you may also be starting to look into securing a student loan for your course. The application for a loan is done on line at www.studentaid.alberta.ca The process is reasonably straight forward and can usually be completed in less than a hour for most people. If you need assistance you may call the school and ask to speak to Kevin and you can schedule a time to come in and he can help you go through the process.
Please note that this process is a very serious one and does come with obligations to you as the student. As easy as the process seems you are entering into a binding contractual obligation with the Province of Alberta and the Government of Canada to repay any loans you receive. A failure by you to live up to your repayment program with either or both of your loans will have serious and detrimental effects on your credit rating and your ability to secure future financing from banks, credit card, and financing companies. Do not think that just because it comes from the government that it doesn’t carry the same weight as other financing you my engage in. There are numerous resources available to you during your repayment process to help you if you get into trouble and these can be found at http://studentaid.alberta.ca/repaying-your-loan/ as well as on our website at http://www.est-elle.ab.ca in the Alumni and FAQ section, and never be afraid to come into the office and speak with Kevin about any issues or concerns you may have about your loan. I know it sounds a bit scary but it really comes down to just be careful about payments. People are here to help you but you have to ask for that help, and we are for you!
When it comes time to repay your student loan you will be able to find a great deal of information online. The first place to start is at www.studentaid.alberta.ca and click the Repaying Your Loan link in the top menu bar.
The 4 main subdivisions of this section deal with
- Making Payments http://studentaid.alberta.ca/repaying-your-loan/making-payments/
- Interest Rates http://studentaid.alberta.ca/repaying-your-loan/interest-rates/
- Repayment Assistance http://studentaid.alberta.ca/repaying-your-loan/repayment-assistance/ (if you run into trouble in keeping your loan current)
- Default Consequences http://studentaid.alberta.ca/repaying-your-loan/default-consequences/
Other Helpful Links
Student Aid Alberta Service Center https://myloan.studentaid.alberta.ca/ABDLWeb/En/index.aspx
Government of Canada Student Financial Assistance http://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/student_financial_aid/index.page
Kit and Equipment
The Kit and Equipment contains all of the supplies and tools you will need to complete the course. There are no additional charges for product usage for you in the classroom or for your work on your guests, and if you need something for the course it is included in your kit or supplied by Est-elle Academy. There are no hidden costs for you as a student.
