Why Study "New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5)"

The New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is a one-year, full-time qualification designed for students who want to develop advanced professional skills for the beauty and wellness industry. The programme combines classroom theory with practical, hands-on training in a professional training salon, where students work with real clients. Students develop knowledge in advanced skincare, body treatments, hair removal, electrotherapy, client care and salon management. The qualification is offered at the Mokoia Campus in Rotorua and Windermere Campus in Tauranga.

Key Benefits

• Level of study: New Zealand Diploma, Level 5.
• Duration: 1 year full-time, including holidays where applicable.
• Total credits: 120.
• Mode of learning: Primarily on-campus, practical and hands-on learning with supporting theory. The course includes practical training in Toi Ohomai's professional training salon.
• Campuses: Mokoia Campus, Rotorua; Windermere Campus, Tauranga.
• Students gain experience working with real clients as part of their practical training.
• The programme develops both technical beauty therapy skills and business/salon-management knowledge.
• Advanced areas include skin analysis, electrolysis, massage and wraps, electrotherapy and microdermabrasion.
• The course can prepare students for roles in beauty salons, spas, clinics, product companies and self-employment.

Program Structure

The programme covers a combination of professional practice, advanced beauty treatments and salon-management knowledge. The main topic areas listed by Toi Ohomai are:

• Professional Practice
• Body Therapy
• Applied Salon Management
• Advanced Skin Care
• Advanced Hair Removal
• Electrical Facial & Body Therapy
• Anatomy and physiology
• Client care and consultation
• Individual client analysis
• Practical application of beauty therapy techniques
• Advanced treatments including electrolysis, electrotherapy and microdermabrasion.

For 2027, the course is listed as a 120-credit, one-year full-time programme.

Discipline / Specialisation

The qualification falls within the Beauty Therapy discipline and focuses on advanced beauty and salon services. It does not currently list separate formal specialisation strands. Students develop skills across:

• Advanced skincare
• Body therapy and massage
• Advanced hair removal and electrolysis
• Electrical facial and body treatments
• Microdermabrasion
• Professional client consultation and care
• Salon management and business-related practice.

Programme Highlights

• Practical training in a professional on-campus beauty salon.
• Opportunity to work with real clients and develop workplace-ready practical skills.
• Combination of practical treatment skills and theoretical knowledge.
• Focus on advanced skincare, body therapy, hair removal and electrical treatments.
• Development of salon-management and professional-practice capabilities.
• Current 2027 intakes are scheduled for both Rotorua and Tauranga.
• The course page was last updated on 16 September 2026, making the information relevant to the current 2027 study cycle.

Career Outcomes

Graduates may pursue careers such as:

• Beauty Therapist
• Salon Manager
• Product Company Representative
• Brand Manager
• Account Manager
• Salon Owner

The wider Toi Ohomai Beauty Therapy discipline also highlights opportunities in beauty salons, spas, beauty clinics, fashion and production environments, as well as opportunities for graduates interested in establishing their own business.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

International students normally require a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa when paying international tuition fees. Students need an offer of place from an approved education provider, evidence that they can pay their tuition fees, sufficient funds for living costs, acceptable medical and travel insurance, and evidence of their genuine intention to study and leave New Zealand when required.

• Immigration New Zealand currently requires tertiary students studying for one year or more to demonstrate living funds of NZD 20,000 per year.
• Students must maintain acceptable medical and travel insurance during their stay.
• Depending on the conditions attached to the visa, eligible students may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during specified holidays.
• Any practical work that is a compulsory part of the qualification may be permitted under the relevant student-visa conditions.
• Students should check the exact work conditions stated on their individual visa before undertaking paid employment.

The Level 5 English requirement for this programme is IELTS Academic 5.5 with no individual band below 5, or an accepted equivalent English-language qualification/proficiency outcome.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Next available intake shown by Toi Ohomai: February 2027.
• Additional 2027 intake: 19 July 2027.
• February 2027 and July 2027 intakes are available at both Mokoia Campus, Rotorua and Windermere Campus, Tauranga.
• Academic entry normally requires completion of the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) or an equivalent qualification together with relevant knowledge, experience and/or qualifications.
• For international students, the general Level 5–7 entry standard also requires NCEA Level 2 with English/Te Reo M?ori passes and a minimum of 42 Level 3 credits, or evidence of the ability to complete the academic requirements. International applicants with overseas qualifications should have their qualifications assessed against the relevant New Zealand requirements.
• An information meeting is part of the admission process to help confirm that the programme is appropriate for the applicant's experience and career goals.
• The current international course listing shows an international tuition fee of NZD 27,360 for the 2027 intake.
• Toi Ohomai notes that course fees can change and that the final amount can be affected by additional course materials, student levies and other applicable costs. The individual course page specifically notes that the domestic 2027 fee was still awaiting confirmation; international fees should therefore be confirmed in the student's offer of place before payment.
• Additional course-related costs listed on the course page include approximately NZD 100 for the kit, plus fees associated with a safety certificate in laser therapy, which are discussed during the first week.
• Toi Ohomai's currently published scholarship list is primarily targeted at New Zealand citizens/permanent residents or specific domestic groups. The listed 2026–27 scholarships do not indicate a general scholarship specifically for international students undertaking this Beauty Therapy diploma.
• StudyLink assistance shown on the course page relates to eligible domestic students; international students should not assume eligibility for New Zealand domestic student loans or allowances.