Turn your passion for beauty into a professional career through NaSA’s beauty therapy course
The New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy and New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy programme gives you the skills, confidence and two NZQA-recognised qualifications to work as a beauty therapist: in a clinic, on a cruise ship or running your own business. Over 18 months (not 2 years!), you’ll learn everything from facials, massage and waxing to advanced beauty treatments and electrology, alongside the business skills and theory to back it all up. With small class sizes of 12 to 14 students and 40 years of training experience behind us, you’ll get hands-on attention from day one.
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Key facts
New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy and
New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy
Duration
60 weeks
plus holidays
Intakes
Feb & July
In Christchurch
Class sizes
12 to 14
students
Attendance
9 AM to 1 PM
Monday to Friday
Outside class hours
10 to 15 hours
per week
Qualifications
NZQA Lvl 4 & 5
ITEC optional
Extra expenses apply
See fees section below for more information
What you’ll learn
In the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy and New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy programme, you’ll learn a wide range of subjects across 18 months, building practical skills alongside the theory and business knowledge to use them competently and confidently.
New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy
In your first year, you’ll cover the foundational treatments and theory of beauty therapy, building practical skills across a wide range of treatments and the professional knowledge to deliver them confidently. Unlike some other certificate-level beauty therapy programmes, you’ll also learn more advanced treatments and knowledge that shorten the overall length of the diploma-level programme.
| Subject area | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Skin care and facials | Deliver facial treatments for a wide range of skin types, from manual techniques to basic electrical treatments |
| Eye treatments | Learn how to safely enhance brows and lashes using professional products and techniques |
| Waxing | Perform waxing treatments safely to a professional standard |
| Makeup | Develop your skills across a range of makeup services for different occasions |
| Manicure and pedicure | Build your confidence delivering hands-on manicure and pedicure treatments to a professional standard |
| Spray tanning | Apply spray tanning treatments to a glowing professional standard |
| Swedish massage | Perform full Swedish body massage treatments using the correct tried-and-true techniques |
| Body treatments | Deliver body wrap and exfoliation treatments from preparation through to completion |
| Anatomy and physiology | Understand how our skin, nails, hair and body system work, and learn to identify diseases and disorders |
| Professional standards | Apply safe, hygienic and professional practices with your clients |
| Consultation | Assess your client’s needs, plan their treatment and follow up effectively |
| Reception and sales | Handle client transactions, communicate confidently and recommend services and products naturally |
| Business awareness | Develop practical business skills for planning, setting up and managing your small clinic |
| Basic physics | Develop a working understanding of electricity and basic physics as they apply to beauty therapy |
| Basic nutrition | Learn the basics of nutritional advice relevant to beauty therapy for a holistic approach to skin and body care |
New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy
In your second year, you’ll build on the skills and knowledge you gained in the certificate, taking your treatments to a more advanced level. You’ll also learn electrology, a proven and trusted method of permanent hair removal that is a required component of the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy.
| Subject area | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Advanced beauty treatments | Perform advanced facial electrical treatments and advanced beauty treatments to a high standard |
| Advanced body treatments | Apply advanced body treatments and advanced body electrical treatments safely to a professional standard |
| Electrology | Perform short-wave diathermy and blend galvanic electrology treatments |
| Professional standards | Continue applying safe, hygienic and professional practices to a diploma-level standard |
| Consultation | Take your client assessment and treatment planning skills to an advanced level |
| Business management | Build the basic management skills for the day-to-day running of a small beauty business |
| Beauty nutrition | Create personalised nutritional plans and advice for beauty therapy clients |
Want the full breakdown of components, credits and outcomes? Download the Courses in the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy Programme and Courses in the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy Programme fact sheets.
Entry requirements
All applicants must:
- Have successfully achieved:
- the National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) (Level 1) or an equivalent qualification, or
- an NZQA-approved qualification or an equivalent qualification at a higher level, or
- If 20 years old or older and without any qualifications, show evidence of the ability to successfully achieve and succeed in the programme, and
- Communicate effectively in all areas of English to a suitable and appropriate level.
Ākonga a Aotearoa / domestic students must:
- Be at least 16 years old by the programme’s start date.
International students must:
- Be at least 18 years old by the programme’s start date
- Meet the English language requirements set forth by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
We reserve the right to allow special entry to an ākonga / student where they demonstrate an extraordinary ability which compensates for a deficiency in one or more of the areas above. Our programmes are selected entry programmes, so applicants who demonstrate a strong record of academic achievement (for example, NCEA Level 3 versus NCEA Level 1) may rank higher in the selection process. If your originals are not in English, you will need to have a certified translator translate the document into English for your application.
Ākonga / Students with Medical Conditions
- You may need to provide medical diagnosis and medical clearance to undertake study with us to ensure your health and safety.
- You must have and maintain a good standard of health so you meet the attendance criteria.
- You may need to supply a model for treatments you are unable to be a model for.
Ākonga / Students with Learning Conditions
- You may need to provide us with any written reports on your learning conditions from a qualified professional to help us help you during the course.
- You may need help from a specialist tutor outside of class.
Ākonga a Aotearoa / Domestic Students Who Speak English as a Second Language
- You may need to provide evidence of suitability for the programme through adequate use and understanding of English.
Further Information on Entry Requirements
International students must also meet the English language requirements.
You can find more information on our entry requirements on our Entry Criteria page in the Enrolment section of our Web site.
Recognised qualifications you can gain
New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy
Level 4 • NZ3444 • v2
New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy
Level 5 • NZ3445 • v2
When you successfully complete the programmes, you’ll receive two NZQA-recognised qualifications:
- New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) [NZ3444] version 2
- New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) [NZ3445] version 2
These qualifications are recognised by employers across New Zealand.
ITEC Diploma for Beauty Specialists
iBT2D7
ITEC Diploma in Epilation
iBT3D11
Thinking about working overseas? You can also sit ITEC examinations. When you pass, you gain the ITEC Diploma for Beauty Specialists and ITEC Diploma in Epilation, allowing you to travel internationally with your qualification. This is an optional extra expense and not covered by student loans.
Your options after graduating
Most graduates go straight into work as a beauty therapist. Where you go from there is up to you. You could work as a:
- Beauty therapist in a salon or spa
- Cruise ship beauty therapist
- Representative for a beauty or skincare product company
With further experience, you might become a:
- Clinic manager
- Clinic owner
With further study, you could inspire the next generation of beauty therapists as a:
- Beauty therapy tutor
Want to keep studying?
At NaSA:
Through other providers:
- New Zealand Certificate in Spa Therapy (Level 5)
- New Zealand Certificate in Specialised Epilation Therapy (Level 6)
- New Zealand Certificate in Specialised Skin Care Therapy (Level 6)
- New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5)
- New Zealand Certificate in Business (Introduction to Small Business) (Level 3)
- New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 5)
- Further professional development in beauty therapy subjects
Dates, times and fees
Current Intake
July 2026
| Starts | 20 July 2026 |
| Finishes | 17 December 2027 |
| Domestic fees | $19,710 |
| International fees | $38,891 |
Attendance
| All six terms | 9 AM to 1 PM Monday to Friday |
In the first four terms, you’ll need to complete 10+ hours per week of off-campus study.
In the last two terms, you’ll need to complete 15+ hours per week of off-campus study.
Applications open
1 March 2026
Fee and date breakdown
Year 1
| Starts | 20 Jul 2026 |
| Finishes | 18 Jun 2027 |
| Domestic fees (due 20 July 2026) | $12,447 |
| International fees (full fees due on enrolment) | $38,891 |
Year 2
| Starts | 19 Jul 2027 |
| Finishes | 17 Dec 2027 |
| Domestic fees (due 19 July 2027) | $7,263 |
Upcoming Intake
February 2027
| Starts | 1 February 2027 |
| Finishes | 16 June 2028 |
| Domestic fees | TBC |
| International fees | TBC |
Attendance
| All six terms | 9 AM to 1 PM Monday to Friday |
In the first four terms, you’ll need to complete 10+ hours per week of off-campus study.
In the last two terms, you’ll need to complete 15+ hours per week of off-campus study.
Applications open
1 September 2026
Fee and date breakdown
Year 1
| Starts | 1 Feb 2027 |
| Finishes | 17 Dec 2027 |
| Domestic fees (due 1 February 2027) | TBC |
| International fees (full fees due on enrolment) | TBC |
Year 2
| Starts | 17 Jan 2028 |
| Finishes | 16 Jun 2028 |
| Domestic fees (due 17 January 2028) | TBC |
Paying for your programme
✔Student loans available
✔ TIA available
- Ākonga a Aotearoa / domestic students may be eligible for student loans and allowances through StudyLink.
- Students receiving certain payments from Work and Income New Zealand may be eligible for a Training Incentive Allowance (TIA) payment. This payment usually only covers part of your extra expenses or programme fees.
- Extra expenses apply on top of programme fees and must be paid before or when you start.
Programme details
| Programme | Level | PC Code | NZQA Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy | 4 | NZ3444 | 123802-2 |
| New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy | 5 | NZ3445 | 125264-2 |
50 credits from the NaSA New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy programme cross-credit into the NaSA New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy programme. This may not be available to New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy graduates from other tertiary education organisations.
Important notes
| All prices are in New Zealand dollars and include 15% GST. |
| All ākonga / students: This is a selected entry programme. You must pay a $150 non-refundable successful application fee when you enrol. This is not covered by a student loan. |
| Payment plans are not available. |
| Extra expenses apply, and most must be paid before or when you start your programme. See the course information pack or student handbook for more information. |
| We need at least 8 students enrolled two weeks before the start date of the programme to proceed. |
The domestic fee is paid in two parts:
|
| International students must pay all fees in full when they enrol. See the International Students section for more requirements and information. |
| 2026 programme fees were confirmed by the Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills on 15 August 2025 via the Annual Maximum Fee Movement (AMFM) increase from 6.0% from 2025 prices. |
| You must successfully complete the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy before proceeding to the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy. |
| If you choose not to continue into the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy, you may withdraw from that programme and only complete the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy. See Withdrawal and Refund Policies and Procedures for further information on withdrawal. |
| NaSA reserves the right to alter details, prices and dates whenever changes are needed. |
| This information was correct when published (06/2026). |
