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New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy

Level 5

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Gain the necessary skills for an exciting career in the beauty industry with the UCOL 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 Wairarapa in Masterton

Duration: 1 year full-time (40 weeks)

Dates:
Palmerston North
17 Feb 2025 – 21 Nov 2025

Masterton
17 Feb 2025 – 21 Nov 2025

Domestic Fees: *
$7,646.00

Scholarship info

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

International Fees:*
$26,614.00

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.

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PDF
Enrolment Guide and Form - Domestic Students
Download the Enrolment Guide and Form - Domestic Students.

If you have prior experience in beauty or have worked as a beauty therapist, advance your skills with the UCOL 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 the UCOL 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 the UCOL New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy are welcomed from people who have completed New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy.

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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, and timetable set by your lecturer.

Industry Experience
2 hrs

Practicum, work experience in a beauty clinic.

Study Time
5 hrs

Study in your own time.


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)
  • Clinic manager
  • Product company representative
  • Brand manager
  • Account manager
  • Clinic owner

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

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

This programme consists of 120 credits. 

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 (15 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 meets industry standards. Sustainable business practices will be explored and these skills will be used to develop CVs 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

Fully equipped salons and a spacious beauty clinic with industry standard equipment.

New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy Level 4
OR
equivalent skills and knowledge

 

For more information about NCEA Credits see the UCOL NCEA explained page.

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

English language proficiency
International learner 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).

Under 20 years of age
International applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency. 

Excellent personal presentation is required on this programme at all times. A uniform is provided for learners and this must be worn for all practical classes and clinics. 
 
Learners 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 learners need to be aware of the demands of carrying out basic First Aid procedures.
 
Good eyesight, with or without corrective lenses, is required to carry out electrolysis services.
 
Learners 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 learner 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 Te Pūkenga Academic Statute and other relevant 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).


  • Uniform 1 or 2 pants (black) 3/4 or full length 
  • 1 pair of flat shoes - black (must be closed in)
  • Ring binder/s, refill, subject dividers, pens/pencils, highlighters, pen drive
  • An introductory guide to anatomy and physiology 4th ed 
  • Electrol-epilation A Practical Approach 
  • Electrolysis visors and tweezers 
  • Eye test 
  • The Art and Science of Beauty Therapy - Jane Foulston 

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020, and Universal College of Learning, a business division of Te Pūkenga is accredited to teach it.
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