Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Otago PolytechnicNew Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4)
This course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Certificate
Duration
1 year
Next start date
Expected Feb 2027
Campus
Dunedin Campus
Summary
This programme will give you a solid foundation to start your career in beauty therapy. You will study a wide range of beauty treatments and cosmetic services and get an introduction into important topics such as anatomy and physiology, first aid, and professional practice. In addition to our daytime stream we also have an evening stream open and available.
About the programmeBeauty therapy roles are varied, creative and in high demand. Employers are seeking trained therapists with the ability to walk into a new job and to work with clients straight away.
Our top-quality facilities and products are recognised as some of the best in the industry. Study with leading tutors and learn through a combination of practical and theoretical activities.
You will have the opportunity to learn the latest emerging trends and techniques, work with real clients, use an online booking system and gain hands-on/practical in-clinic experience. A wide variety of guest speakers such as spa managers, appearance medicine specialists and cosmetic representatives give you an insight into products, technologies and the specific qualities that employers are looking for in employees.
International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC) qualifications are optional in this Certificate. If you choose to complete the exam, your qualifications will be recognised by employers and clients internationally.
ITEC is an international examination board, operating in over 38 countries worldwide and their qualifications are supported by industry and easily transportable both nationally and internationally. At the end of this programme, you will meet the requirements to become a Registered New Zealand Beauty Therapist.
Other career options include a Cosmetic Representative or a Mobile Beauty Therapist. Evening Stream In addition to our daytime stream, we are happy to offer an additional evening stream option for this programme.
Classes will take place from 4-8pm Monday - Friday (may be subject to change closer to the time) Topics covered will be the same as the daytime stream You will also be able to sit the International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC) exam at the end of the year If you have any queries about our evening stream option for this programme, please feel free to reach out to our beauty therapy team at BeautyTherapyAdmin@op.ac.nz who will be happy to help.
Entry criteria
Academic requirementsYou must be at least 18 years old by the time the programme ends in November.
Applicants under 20 must have: New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3) OR NCEA Level 2 (English and Science credits preferred) OR New Zealand Certificate in Makeup and Skin Care (Introduction) (Level 3), OR equivalent In exceptional circumstances, applicants under 20 who do not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to the programme.
There are no minimum entry requirements for those over 20.
International requirements and equivalenceTo enter Otago Polytechnic's undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees, you need to have achieved a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to New Zealand's NCEA levels (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).
This information is available by country on our Equivalent academic entry requirements page.
English Language requirementsIf English is not your first language, you must provide: New Zealand University Entrance OR Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (academic, achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
If you don’t have the entry requirements above, talk to us about whether you have the equivalent skills and knowledge or to determine if this is the right programme for you.
This programme is subject to minimum numbers.
Please note: If you have studied Beauty Therapy through a Trades Academy programme while at high school, please get in touch to talk to us about your pathway to this programme.
Don't meet the entry requirements?
You can use our New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3) to pathway into this programme.
This Level 3 Certificate has open entry.
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