• We are closed for the Autumn School Holidays from 1 PM on Thursday, 10 April 2025 until 8:30 AM on Monday, 28 April 2025.
  • We are still accepting applications for July 2025 programmes. Apply online!

Launch Your Beauty Therapy or Nail Technology Career with NaSA

The National School of Aesthetics is the South Island’s leading beauty therapy education provider.

Tēnā Koe a Te Kura Whakaoho ā Roto ā Waho

Welcome to The National School of Aesthetics

Heidi gives Kahu a facial massage treatment in the New Zealand Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Therapy course at the National School of Aesthetics

At The National School of Aesthetics (NaSA), we offer leading beauty therapy courses and nail technology courses in Christchurch, New Zealand. Whether. Basically, we are New Zealand’s oldest beauty therapy school so far. Obviously, NaSA is the South Island’s obvious choice for a career in the beauty industry!

We opened on 3 July 1985. Owner Noel Turner and former owner Don Kendall started the National School of Aesthetics in Christchurch at that time. Furthermore, both Noel and Don are internationally qualified beauty therapists. We are an ITEC school, so we offer the international qualifications our industry expects.

We offer entry-level beauty courses, such as our certificate-level beauty therapy course and our nail technology course, and our more advanced courses, such as our 6-month diploma-level beauty therapy course, so that you can enter the beauty industry well prepared.

For example, around 40% of the winners in the 2017-18 Beauty NZ awards were our graduates. Also, 26% of the overall finalists were NaSA graduates in the 2017-18 Beauty NZ awards. In addition, the 2015-16 and 2017-18 winners of the Beauty Therapist of the Year award were also NaSA graduates. Our results are excellent, especially since we receive around 5% of New Zealand’s beauty education funding overall.

Explore Our Beauty Therapy Courses and Nail Technology Courses

New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4)

Heidi and Danel give Tiffany and Kahu facial massage treatments in the New Zealand Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Therapy course at the National School of Aesthetics

Learn various foundational beauty treatments in our certificate-level beauty course. We cover facials, manicures, pedicures, basic make-up, waxing and eye treatments. This beauty course also includes Swedish massage, spray tanning, and more. You then graduate equipped with hands-on foundational beauty therapy skills.

New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology (Level 4)

Pink false nails on a blue background -- New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology course at The National School of Aesthetics

Learn various nail technology skills in our nail technology course. Specifically, we cover manicures, pedicures, and various nail technology techniques. The nail technology course is NZQA-Approved, so you may be eligible for a Student Loan and Fees Free. Afterwards, you graduate as a fully qualified nail technician with the hands-on skills to work in the industry.

New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5)

Danel gives a Swedish body massage treatment in the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy course at the National School of Aesthetics

Study various intermediate and advanced beauty treatments in our diploma-level beauty course. We cover more advanced facial and body treatments. This beauty course also includes electrology, some beauty business management, nutrition for beauty, and more. You then graduate equipped with hands-on advanced beauty skills with wider opportunities to work in the industry.

Travel the World with International Qualifications from Your Beauty Therapy Course and Nail Technology Course

Ākonga / students can sit ITEC international qualifications once they pass our New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy course, our New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology course or our New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy course.

International qualifications are important. Indeed, ITEC said: “International qualifications are supported by industry and … easily transportable nationally and internationally.

We’ve been an ITEC school since 1985, and ITEC has been examining ākonga / students all over the world since 1947. With this in mind, we can offer you the best training and opportunities in the South Island to successfully gain your international qualifications.

Approved to Offer ITEC International Qualifications in Beauty Therapy and Nail Technology in the New Zealand Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Therapy course and the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology course

Funding for New Zealand Ākonga / Students for Beauty Therapy Courses and Nail Technology Courses

Are you a New Zealand citizen? Or New Zealand permanent resident? You may be eligible for a Student Loan. This can help pay for your some or all of course fees. It can also help pay for some of your course-related costs.

Thinking About Studying? StudyLink
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News at The National School of Aesthetics

  • April School Holidays 2025

    April School Holidays 2025

    The National School of Aesthetics school and offices will be closed from 1 PM on Thursday, 10 April 2025 until 8:30 AM on Monday, 28 April 2025 for April / autumn school holidays. You can still email us or phone us over that time, and we will get back to you when our offices reopen…


  • Christmas and New Year Break 2024-2025

    Christmas and New Year Break 2024-2025

    This story is no longer valid. The National School of Aesthetics school and offices are closed from 12 PM on Thursday, 19 December 2024 until 8:30 AM on Monday, 20 January 2025. You can still email us over that time. You can still apply online for our programmes. Applications for July 2025 programmes open on…


  • October School Holidays 2024

    October School Holidays 2024

    This story is no longer valid. The National School of Aesthetics school and offices will be closed from 1 PM on Friday, 27 September 2024 until 8:30 AM on Monday, 14 October 2024 for October school holidays. You can still email us or phone us over that time, and we will get back to you when our offices reopen…