Our Beauty Therapy Courses Are the South Island’s Oldest Beauty Therapy Programmes
Our New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy course teaches you the basics on how to become a beauty therapist. This beauty course includes facials, manicures, waxing, eye treatments, makeup, body massage, spray tanning, and even more. After that, you can continue on into the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy course to gain the final skills and knowledge you need to be employable in this industry. This programme is NZQA-approved, leading to an NZQA qualification, the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy, so you can rest assured your qualification will be recognised.
You can also enrol for the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy and New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy at the same time through our New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy and New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy.
Choose one of these quick links or scroll down for more information.

Quick Links about the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy Course
Quick Facts about the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy Course
2027 Programme Fees for the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy Course
New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) [NZ3444] [123802-2]
Student loans available
Extra expenses apply
* Fees for 2027 confirmed in Budget 2026. See Special Notes for info.
More Facts about the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy Course
Level
4
Credits
120
Prospectus Code
NZ3444
Duration
40 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
Ākonga / Students
per class
12 to 14
Intakes
February
July
Approvals
NZQA-Approved
ITEC-Approved
Approved for loans
What You’ll Learn in the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy Course
This details of this programme are:
| Programme Name | Level | PC Code | NZQA Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy | 4 | NZ3444 | 123802-2 |
Overall, you will learn these subjects in the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy course:
What You’ll Learn in the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) [NZ3444]
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
Want to know more about the components and subjects in the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy programme?
You can learn about component names, codes, outcomes, credits and levels by also downloading the Courses in the New Zealand Certificate 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 New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy Course
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 Requirements page in the Enrolment section of our Web site.
Recognised Qualifications Available from the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy Course
The National School of Aesthetics Qualifications
You can gain up to one qualification when you successfully complete your New Zealand Certificate 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]
* We generally issue this qualification at graduation at the end of the diploma programme if you are taking both programmes.
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
Your Options after the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy Course
Ākonga / students who gain the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) [NZ3444] have various options after they graduate, including:
Employment Options
- Junior beauty therapist in a clinic
- Pharmacy counter
Employment Options with Further Study and Experience
- Cruise ship beauty therapist
- Product company representative
- Brand manager
- Account manager
- Clinic manager
- Clinic owner
- Beauty therapy tutor
Further Study Options
Further Study Options We Can Offer You
- New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology (Level 4) [NZ3443]
- New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) [NZ3445]
Further Study Options at Other Providers
- New Zealand Certificate in Spa Therapy (Level 5) [NZ3457]
- 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 New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy Course
Please note:
- You can apply for both the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy and the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy at the same time. (The vast majority of our students do this.)
- We can offer you both programmes at once so you can fast track your career and complete both the certificate and diploma in 18 months.
Current Upcoming Intake
February 2027
| Starts | 1 February 2027 |
| Finishes | 17 December 2027 |
| Domestic fees | $13,193 |
| International fees | $26,034 |
Attendance
| All four terms | 9 AM to 1 PM Monday to Friday |
You’ll need to complete 10+ hours per week of off-campus study.
Applications open
1 September 2026
Following Upcoming Intake
July 2027
| Starts | 19 July 2027 |
| Finishes | 16 June 2028 |
| Domestic fees | $13,193 |
| International fees | $26,034 |
Attendance
| All four terms | 9 AM to 1 PM Monday to Friday |
You’ll need to complete 10+ hours per week of off-campus study.
Applications open
1 March 2027
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 |
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 as such: the full programme fee for the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) is due on the first day of the programme |
| International students must pay all fees in full when they enrol. See the International Students section for more requirements and information. |
| 2027 programme fees were confirmed by the Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills during the Budget 2026 via the Annual Maximum Fee Movement (AMFM) increase from 6.0% from 2026 prices. |
| NaSA reserves the right to alter details, prices and dates whenever changes are needed. |
| This information was correct when published (07/2026). |

