Our Nail Technology Course Is New Zealand’s Oldest NZQA-Approved Nail Technology Programme
Our nail technology course teaches you how to become a nail technician so you can work in the nail technology industry. The nail technology course includes manicures, pedicures, acrylic false nails, gel false nails, overlays, nail wraps, nail tips, and even more. NZQA has approved the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology programme so you can rest assured your qualification is recognised.
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Quick Links about the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology Course
Quick Facts about the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology Course
2025 Programme Fees for the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology Course
$8,220* NZD
Student loans available
Extra expenses apply
* Fees for 2025 not confirmed yet. See Special Notes for info.
More Facts about the New Zealand Certificate and in Nail Technology Course
Level
4
Credits
120
Prospectus Code
NZ3443
Duration
40 weeks plus holidays
Location
Christchurch
Attendance
Full-time
Face-to-face and self-directed study
Inside class
22 hours per week (first two terms)
8 hours per month (last two terms)
Outside class
at least 12.5+ hours per week (first two terms)
20+ hours per week (last two terms)
Ākonga / Students
per class
8 to 10
Intakes
February
July
Approvals
NZQA-Approved
ITEC-Approved
Approved for loans
What You’ll Learn in the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology Course
The programme you will be enrolled in is:
| Programme Name | Level | PC Code | NZQA Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology | 4 | NZ3443 | 123833-2 |
Overall, you will learn these subjects in the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology course:
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
Nail Technology
- Contraindications to nail technology
- Products and tools for nail technology
- Nail augmentation services
Nail Art
- Contraindications to nail art
- Nail art products and tools
- Nail art services
Anatomy and Physiology
- Human anatomy and physiology for nail services
- Skin anatomy and physiology
- Nail anatomy and physiology
- Hair anatomy and physiology
- Diseases and disorders of the nail, skin and hair
Reception and Client Sales
- Reception services and skills
- Selling to clients and transaction services
Business Awareness
- Helping run a small beauty business
- Design a layout for a clinic and create a business plan
Want to know more about the components and subjects in the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology programme?
You can learn about component names, codes, outcomes, credits and levels by also downloading the Courses in the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology 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 Nail Technology 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 New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology Course
The National School of Aesthetics Qualifications
You can gain these qualifications when you successfully complete your New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology course:
- New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology (Level 4) [NZ3443] version 2
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 Nail Technology
Your Options after the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology Course
Ākonga / students who gain the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology (Level 4) [NZ3443] have various options after they graduate, including:
Employment Options
- Nail technician in a clinic
- Cruise ship nail technician
- Product company representative
- Brand manager
- Account manager
Employment Options with Further Study and Experience
- Clinic manager
- Clinic owner
- Nail technology tutor
Further Study Options
Further Study Options We Can Offer You
Further Study Options at Other Providers
- 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 nail technology subjects
Dates, Times, Costs, and More Details about the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology 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.
We are not accepting applications for 2025 programmes until the dates listed below.
January 2025
Starts
27 Jan 2025
Finishes
12 Dec 2025
Attendance
Term One 2025 and Term Two 2025
Monday to Thursday
9AM – 3 PM
Term Three 2025 and Term Four 2025
2 Fridays per month
9AM – 1 PM
You will need to complete 20+ hours per week of documented treatments, case studies, portfolio work, and projects in the last two terms.
Domestic Fees
$8,220* NZ
Classes
1
Applications for the January 2025 intake open 1 September 2024.
See Special Notes for more information.
July 2025
Starts
21 Jul 2025
Finishes
19 Jun 2026
Attendance
Term Three 2025 and Term Four 2025
Monday to Thursday
9AM – 3PM
Term One 2026 and Term Two 2026
2 Fridays per month
9AM – 1PM
You will need to complete 20+ hours per week of documented treatments, case studies, portfolio work, and projects in the last two terms.
Domestic Fees
$8,220* NZ
Classes
1
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 New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology
- 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.
- * 2025 programme fees were confirmed on XX MMM YYYY by the Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills via the Annual Maximum Fee Movement (AMFM) of 6.0% from 2024 prices.
- The lower domestic price is for ākonga / students who attend classes the first 2 terms and perform self-directed tasks the second 2 terms. The higher domestic price is for ākonga / students who attend classes in all terms. The 2-term inside class option is the only option available in 2025.
- We are not accepting international students for this programme at this time since we are only offering the first 2 terms in class and second 2 terms self-directed study option in 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.
- 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 (07/2024).
- Extra expenses apply, and most must be paid for before or when you start your course.
- Payment plans are not available.
