New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy

Level 5

button for easy access to information about this qualification

Gain the necessary skills for an exciting career in the beauty industry with UCOL's New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy.

UCOL students working on clients
UCOL students working on clients
UCOL students in class
A photograph of the beauty salon at UCOL in Palmerston North
A photograph of a person receiving a facial at a UCOL beauty salon.
A photograph of a UCOL student applying makeup on a client

Quick info

Level: 5

Locations: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Horowhenua in Levin, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

Duration: 1 year full-time (40 weeks)
Part-time option available.
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)

Dates:
20 Feb 2023 - 24 Nov 2023

Domestic Fees: *
$6857.00 (2022 fee); $7032.00 (2023)Scholarship info

Find out if you're eligible for fees-free study

International Fees:*
$20,500.00

Additional Fees
Compulsory course costs may apply.

* Fees are indicative only, and are inclusive of the student services levy and GST (goods and services tax). The fee shown is for one year of study.

Need Some Advice?Apply Now

If you have prior experience in beauty or have worked as a beauty therapist, advance your skills with UCOL's New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy.

You'll gain the skills and knowledge to critically analyse clients’ needs, provide advanced beauty services, and manage the operations of a client base or small beauty therapy business.

Practical experience
Regular client days are incorporated into the learning process at one of UCOL's Beauty Clinics in Palmerston North, Whanganui or Wairarapa, providing you with real industry experience, and honing your professionalism, relationship building skills and teamwork.

Interested? - Check that you meet the entry requirements
Applications for UCOL's New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy are welcomed from people who have completed New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy.

Course Hours & Duration

This programme runs for 40 weeks, including 6 holiday weeks.

Per week, your learning will include approximately:

Class Time

18 hrs

Lectures, tutorials and/or online recordings, salon practicals, timetable set by your lecturer.

Industry Experience

2 hrs

Practicum, work experience or internship in a beauty clinic.

Study Time

5 hrs

Study in your own time.

You can also choose to study part-time, or possibly by paper. Talk to us about your options with this programme.

Career & Study Outcomes

You'll graduate work-ready with professional skills, know how to operate a small beauty business, and have advanced skills in beauty therapy.

Career options include:

Beauty therapist (day spa, cruise ship, salon)
Salon manager
Product company representative
Brand manager
Account manager
Salon owner

This qualification builds on UCOL's New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy, and may lead to further studies:

NZ Certificate in Specialised Epilation Therapy (Level 6) (Not offered at UCOL)
NZ Certificate in Specialised Skin Care Therapy (Level 6) (Not offered at UCOL)

Course Information

Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time. If you have any questions call an Enrolment Advisor on 0800 468 265.

From 2023, UCOL and the programme you have enrolled in will become part of Te Pūkenga. So, if you join UCOL in 2023, you will be awarded Te Pūkenga certification. And, if you are a current learner graduating in 2023, you will be awarded a co-branded certificate.

This programme consists of 120 credits. The courses includes:

Beauty Therapy Science (15 Credits)
Gain advanced knowledge in human anatomy and physiology, science and nutrition for advanced beauty therapy.

Spa and Massage Therapy (20 Credits) (25 practicum hours)
Gain knowledge and practice in spa and massage therapy techniques and services in beauty therapy to industry standards.

Advanced Skin Care (20 Credits) (10 practicum hours)
Gain knowledge and practice in advanced skin care products and services in beauty therapy to industry standards .

Advanced Hair Removal (25 Credits) (35 practicum hours)
Gain knowledge and skills in advanced hair removal services in order to meet client and industry demands.

Electrical Facial Therapy (15 Credits) (10 practicum hours)
Gain knowledge and practice in electrical therapy techniques and services in order to provide advanced facial electrical treatments to meet industry requirements.

Electrical Body Therapy (15 Credits) (10 practicum hours)
Gain knowledge and practice in electrical body therapy techniques and services in beauty therapy to industry standards and to create an awareness of latest industry developments and trends.

Applied Beauty Therapy Practice (Clinic) (15 Credits) (40 practicum hours)
The aim of this course is to provide supervised clinical environments where skills and knowledge learnt throughout the programme can be applied to identify, analyse and interpret clients’ needs in order to develop appropriate treatment, which meet industry standards. Sustainable business practices will be explored and these skills will be used to develop CV’s and prepare for job interviews.

Previous Related Programmes

The New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy supersedes and takes the best from the following programmes of study, which are no longer offered:

Diploma in Beauty Therapy

Industry Connections

Our Beauty students have opportunities to be involved in some of the region’s premier events including:

Miss Manawatu
Evento

Domestic Entry Requirements

New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy
OR
equivalent skills and knowledge

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you must also demonstrate English language skills equivalent to an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 5.5 with no band score less than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible). UCOL is a TOEFL testing centre.

For more information about NCEA Credits see UCOL's NCEA explained page.

International Entry Requirements

In addition to the Domestic Entry Requirements, the following applies to international student applicants.

English language proficiency
International student applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible). UCOL is a TOEFL testing centre.

Under 20 years of age
In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

Advice & Guidance

Excellent personal presentation is required on this programme at all times. A uniform is provided for students and this must be worn for all practical classes and clinics.

Students need to be aware of the physical requirements in meeting industry standards in the beauty therapy workplace.

As First Aid is a component of this programme students need to be aware of the demands of carrying out basic First Aid procedures.

Good eye sight, with or without corrective lenses, is required to carry out electrolysis services.

Students are required to put any special needs or requirements in writing and advise the programme leader prior to the programme start date.

Work experience

As part of your studies you'll be involved in running the beauty clinic at UCOL and performing beauty services for the public under the support of your lecturer.

You'll be required to wear a tunic (supplied by UCOL) and comply with UCOL and industry standards of personal presentation.

Recognition of prior learning
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a student believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Academic Statute and other relavant policies and procedures.

Application checklist
It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme
Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

Additional Costs

Uniform 1 or 2 pants (black) 3/4 or full length $80/pair
1 pair of flat shoes - black (must be closed in) $80
Ring binder/s, refill, subject dividers, pens/pencils, highlighters, pen drive - approx $40
An introductory guide to anatomy and physiology 4th ed - $60
Electrol-epilation A Practical Approach $90
Kit - electrolysis tweezers $66, lash extensive kit $235
Eye test - appointments for this are around $65
The Art and Science of Beauty Therapy - jane foulston $65

New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy