Our Beauty Therapy Courses Are the South Island’s Oldest Beauty Therapy Programmes
Our New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy course teaches you more advanced skills and knowledge on how to become a beauty therapist. The beauty course includes advanced facial treatments, advanced body treatments, electrology and even more in a six-month timeframe (for graduates of the NaSA New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy programme). After that, you can work in the beauty therapy industry. This programme is NZQA-approved, leading to an NZQA qualification, the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy, so you can rest assured your qualifications will be recognised. You will need to hold the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) [NZ3444], covering the equivalent subjects we teach, to apply and enrol.
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 Diploma in Beauty Therapy Course
Quick Facts about the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy Course
2027 Programme Fees for the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy Course
New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) [NZ3445] [125264-2]
RPL version
$7,700* NZD
120 credit version
$13,196* NZD
RPL version
$15,186* NZD
120 credit version
$26,034* NZD
Student loans available
Extra expenses apply
RPL version is available to students who completed their New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy with The National School of Aesthetics.
* Fees for 2027 confirmed in Budget 2026. See Special Notes for info.
More Facts about the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy Course
Level
5
Credits
RPL version
70
(50 credits overlap with the NaSA New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy programme.)
120 credit version
120
(Students who completed the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy [Level 4] at another provider may be required to undertake up to 120 credits to complete this programme.)
Prospectus Code
NZ3445
Duration
RPL version
20 weeks plus holidays
120 credit version
40 weeks plus holidays
Location
Christchurch
Attendance
Full-time
Face-to-face and self-directed study
Inside class
20 hours per week
Outside class
15+ hours per week
Ākonga / Students
per class
12 to 14
Intakes
February
July
Prerequisite qualifications
Approvals
NZQA-Approved
ITEC-Approved
Approved for loans
What You’ll Learn in the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy Course
The details of this programme are:
| Programme Name | Level | PC Code | NZQA Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy | 5 | NZ3445 | 125264-2 |
Overall, you will learn these subjects in the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy course:
What You’ll Learn in the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) [NZ3445] – RPL Version
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
What You’ll Learn in the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) [NZ3445] – 120 Credit Version
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 both basic electricals
- Basic facial electrical treatments
- Contraindications to advanced treatments and electricals
- Advanced facial electrical treatments
- Advanced beauty treatments
Advanced Body Care and Body Electricals
- Contraindications to advanced hair removal services
- Both body wraps and exfoliation treatments
- Body electrical treatments
Electrology
- Short-wave diathermy electrology treatments
- Blend galvanic electrology 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
Business Awareness and Basic Business Management
- Helping run a small beauty business
- Basic management of a small beauty business
Basic Beauty Nutrition and Advanced Beauty Nutrition
- Basic nutritional advice for beauty
- Nutritional plans for clients
Want to know more about the components and subjects in the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy programme?
You can learn about component names, codes, outcomes, credits and levels in the RPL version by also downloading the Courses in the New Zealand 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 New Zealand Diploma 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.
Special Entry Requirements for Specific Programmes
The following programmes have additional entry requirements:
New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) [NZ3445]
All applicants must have successfully achieved:
- New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) [NZ3444], or
- an NZQA-approved beauty qualification or equivalent beauty qualification at level 4 or higher, including, but not limited to, full body anatomy and physiology, Swedish body massage and knowledge of associated contraindications, equivalent or similar to the content within our New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) [NZ3444] programme.
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 Diploma in Beauty Therapy Course
The National School of Aesthetics Qualifications
You can gain up to one qualification when you successfully complete your New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy course.
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 the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy 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 in Epilation
Your Options after the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy Course
Ākonga / students who gain the 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 New Zealand Diploma 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
RPL version
| Starts | 18 January 2027 |
| Finishes | 18 June 2027 |
| Domestic fees | $7,700 |
| International fees | $15,186 |
120 credit version
| Starts | 18 January 2027 |
| Finishes | 17 December 2027 |
| Domestic fees | $13,196 |
| International fees | $26,034 |
Attendance (either version)
| All terms | 9 AM to 1 PM Monday to Friday |
You’ll need to complete 15+ hours per week of off-campus study.
Applications open
1 September 2026
Following Upcoming Intake
July 2027
RPL version
| Starts | 19 July 2027 |
| Finishes | 17 December 2027 |
| Domestic fees | $7,700 |
| International fees | $15,186 |
120 credit version
| Starts | 19 July 2027 |
| Finishes | 16 June 2028 |
| Domestic fees | $13,196 |
| International fees | $26,034 |
Attendance (either version)
| All terms | 9 AM to 1 PM Monday to Friday |
You’ll need to complete 15+ 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 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 our Extra Expenses page 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 Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) 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). |
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.
