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. 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.
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Quick Links about the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy Course
Quick Facts about the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy Course
2025 Programme Fees for the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy Course
New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) [NZ3445] [125264-2]
Student loans available
Extra expenses apply
* Fees for 2025 confirmed. See Special Notes for info.
More Facts about the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy Course
Level
5
Credits
120
(70 with 50 credit overlap with New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy)
Prospectus Code
NZ3445
Duration
20 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
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]
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 New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy programme?
You can learn about component names, codes, outcomes, credits and levels 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: |
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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.
The following programmes have additional entry requirements:
| Programme | Additional Entry Requirements |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) |
|
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 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
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.
We are not accepting applications for 2025 programmes until the dates listed below.
February 2026
Starts
19 Jan 2026
Finishes
19 Jun 2026
Attendance
Monday through Friday
9 AM to 1 PM every day
Domestic Fees
$6,852* NZD (2025 price)
International Fees
$13,520* NZD (2025 price)
Classes
2
Applications for the February 2026 intake open 1 September 2025.
You can apply for this in 2025 with the February 2025 New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy programme.
See Special Notes for more information.
July 2026
Starts
20 Jul 2026
Finishes
18 Dec 2026
Attendance
Monday through Friday
9 AM to 1 PM every day
Domestic Fees
$6,852* NZD (2025 price)
International Fees
$13,520* NZD (2025 price)
Classes
2
Applications for the July 2026 intake open 1 March 2026.
You can apply for this in 2025 with the July 2025 New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy programme.
See Special Notes for more information.
Ākonga a Aotearoa / domestic students may be eligible for student loans and allowances.
Special Notes about the New Zealand 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.
- * 2026 programme fees will be based on the proposal by the Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills via the Annual Maximum Fee Movement (AMFM) to increase fees made in late 2025.
- 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 (02/2025).
- Extra expenses apply, and most must be paid for before you start your course.
- Payment plans are not available.
