Our Beauty Therapy Course Is the South Island’s Oldest Beauty Therapy Programme
Our beauty therapy course teaches you how to become a beauty therapist. The beauty course includes facials, manicures, waxing, eye treatments, makeup, body massage, spray tanning, advanced beauty treatments, and even more. After that, you can work in the beauty therapy industry. This concurrent studies programme combines two NZQA-approved programmes into one — the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy programme and the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy programme — so you can rest assured your qualifications will be recognised.
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Quick Links about the Beauty Therapy Course
Quick Facts about the Beauty Therapy Course
2025 Programme Fees for the Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Therapy Course
Concurrent studies programme comprised of two programmes:
New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) [NZ3444] [123802-2]
New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) [NZ3445] [125264-2]
Student loans available
Extra expenses apply
* Fees for 2025 not confirmed. See Special Notes for info.
More Facts about the Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Therapy Course
Level
5
Credits
190
Prospectus Code
CO3691
Duration
60 weeks plus holidays
Location
Christchurch
Attendance
Full-time
Face-to-face and self-directed study
Inside class
20 hours per week
Outside class
10+ hours per week (first four terms)
15+ hours per week (last two terms)
Ākonga / Students
per class
12
Intakes
February
July
Approvals
NZQA-Approved (as NZ3444 and NZ3445)
ITEC-Approved
Approved for loans
What You’ll Learn in the Beauty Therapy Course
This programme is a concurrent studies one, combining two programmes into one. Enrolment and participation in both programmes is required. Some courses within the programmes may overlap. The concurrent programmes are:
| Programme Name | 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 |
Overall, you will learn these subjects in the concurrent studies Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Therapy course:
What You’ll Learn in the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) [NZ3444] Section
Professional Standards
- Client care and communication
- Hygiene and sterilisation
- Professionalism
- Items and events relating to accidents
- Care of electrical equipment
Consultation
- Consultation before the treatment
- Making a treatment plan
- After the treatment
Manicure and Pedicure
- Contraindications to manicure
- Manicure products and tools
- Both manicures and pedicures
Skin Care and Facials
- Facial contraindications
- Contraindications to both basic electricals
- Facial cosmetic products
- Manual facial treatments
- Basic facial electrical treatments
Eye Treatments
- Contraindications to eye treatments
- Eye products
- Enhancing both eyebrows and eyelashes
Makeup
- Contraindications to makeup
- Makeup and cosmetics
- Make-up services
Waxing
- Contraindications to waxing
- Waxing products
- Waxing treatments
Swedish Massage
- Contraindications to massage
- Massage products
- Swedish body massages
Body Wraps and Exfoliation Treatments
- Contraindications to both body wraps and exfoliations
- Body wrap products
- Both body wraps and exfoliation treatments
Spray Tanning
- Contraindications to spray tanning
- Spray tanning products
- Spray tanning treatments
Anatomy and Physiology
- Human anatomy and physiology for beauty therapy
- Skin anatomy and physiology
- Nail anatomy and physiology
- Hair anatomy and physiology
Electricity and Basic Physics
- Electricity and basic physics
Basic Beauty Nutrition
- Basic nutritional advice for beauty
Reception and Client Sales
- Reception services and skills
- Selling to clients and transaction services
Business Awareness
- Helping run a small beauty business
What You’ll Learn in the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) [NZ3445] Section
Professional Standards
- Client care and communication
- Hygiene and sterilisation
- Professionalism
- Items and events relating to accidents
- Care of electrical equipment
Consultation
- Consultation before the treatment
- Making a treatment plan
- After the treatment
Advanced Skin Care and Facial Electricals
- Contraindications to advanced treatments and electricals
- Advanced facial electrical treatments
- Advanced beauty treatments
Advanced Body Care and Body Electricals
- Body electrical treatments
Advanced Beauty Nutrition
- Nutritional plans for clients
Basic Business Management
- Basic management of a small beauty business
Electrology
- Short-wave diathermy electrology treatments
- Blend galvanic electrology treatments
Want to know more about the components and subjects in the Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Therapy programme?
You can learn about component names, codes, outcomes, credits and levels by also downloading the Courses in the Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Therapy Programme fact sheet.
You will need the most updated version of Adobe Acrobat Reader or a similar PDF reader installed in order to view the file.
Alternate Download Link
Entry Requirements for the Beauty Therapy Course
| All applicants must: |
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| Ākonga a Aotearoa / domestic students must: |
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| International students must: |
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We reserve the right to allow special entry to an ākonga / student where she demonstrates 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.
Full Vaccination Against COVID-19
- You will need to supply evidence (via the My Vaccine Pass app) that you are either:
- Fully vaccinated against COVID-19; or
- Have a legal medical exemption against being vaccinated against COVID-19
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 Available from the Beauty Therapy Course
The National School of Aesthetics Qualifications
You can gain up to two qualifications when you successfully complete your concurrent studies Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Therapy course.
When you successfully complete all the requirements of the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) [NZ3444] (123802) programme, you will gain*:
- New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) [NZ3444]
When you successfully complete the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) [NZ3444] and all the requirements of the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) [NZ3445] (123264) programme, you will gain:
- New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) [NZ3445]
* We generally issue this qualification at graduation at the end of the concurrent studies programme.
Optional International Qualifications
You can sit international examinations also. These are extra expenses so you cannot use a student loan to pay for them. You may need to complete further study and work.
You can gain these qualifications when you successfully complete your international examinations:
- ITEC Diploma for Beauty Specialists
- ITEC Diploma in Epilation
Your Options after the Beauty Therapy Course
Ākonga / students who gain the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) [NZ3444] and New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) [NZ3445] have various options after they graduate, including:
Employment Options
- Beauty therapist in a clinic
- Cruise ship beauty therapist
- Product company representative
- Brand manager
- Account manager
Employment Options with Further Study and Experience
- Clinic manager
- Clinic owner
- Beauty therapy tutor
Further Study Options
Further Study Options We Can Offer You
Further Study Options at Other Providers
- New Zealand Certificate in Spa Therapy (Level 5) [NZ3457]
- New Zealand Certificate in Specialised Epilation Therapy (Level 6) [NZ3458]
- New Zealand Certificate in Specialised Skin Care Therapy (Level 6) [NZ3459]
- New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5) [NZ2740]
- New Zealand Certificate in Business (Introduction to Small Business) (Level 3) [NZ2454]
- New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 5) [NZ2993]
- Further professional development in beauty therapy subjects
Dates, Times, Costs, and More Details about the Beauty Therapy Course
2025
These costs are tentative as of 20 July 2023 and are based on the proposed 2.8% increase from 2023 programme fees proposed by the Minister of Education for the 2024 Annual Maximum Fee Movement (AMFM). They are subject to change dependent on the final AMFM rate approved by the Minister of Education.
These costs are tentative as of 15 August 2022 and are based on the proposed 2.75% increase from 2022 programme fees proposed by the Minister of Education for the 2023 Annual Maximum Fee Movement (AMFM). They are subject to change dependent on the final AMFM rate approved by the Minister of Education.
We are not accepting applications for 2025 programmes until the dates listed below.
February 2025
Starts
3 Feb 2025
Finishes
19 Jun 2026
Attendance
Monday through Friday
9 AM to 1 PM every day
Domestic Fees
$18,594* NZD
International Fees
$36,690* NZD
Classes
2
Applications for the February 2025 intake open 1 September 2024.
See Special Notes for more information.
July 2025
Starts
28 Jul 2025
Finishes
18 Dec 2026
Attendance
Monday through Friday
9 AM to 1 PM every day
Domestic Fees
$18,594* NZD
International Fees
$36,690* NZD
Classes
2
Applications for the July 2025 intake open 1 March 2025.
See Special Notes for more information.
Ākonga a Aotearoa / domestic students may be eligible for student loans and allowances.
Special Notes about the Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Therapy
- All prices are in New Zealand dollars.
- All prices include 15% GST.
- See Application and Enrolment Dates for further information. You should apply for your course as soon as enrolment opens to avoid disappointment.
- We need at least 8 ākonga / students to be enrolled 2 weeks before the course starts in order to proceed with it.
- * 2025 programme fees are estimated at the moment based on the proposal by the Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills via the Annual Maximum Fee Movement (AMFM) to increase fees 6.0% from 2024 prices.
- All ākonga / students: This is a selected entry programme. You must pay a $150 non-refundable successful application fee when you enrol. Your student loan or the Fees Free scheme will not pay your successful application fee, so they will not pay it back to you. Therefore, the non-refundable successful application fee is a charge outside of your programme fees and extra expenses.
- International Students: Please see the International Students section.
- International students must pay all their fees when they enrol.
- The National School of Aesthetics reserves the right to alter or change details, prices, dates, et cetera, on the courses at the school whenever changes are needed.
- This information was correct when we published it (08/2024).
- Extra expenses apply, and most must be paid for before you start your course.
- Payment plans are not available.
