Why Study "New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4)"

The New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is a practical, career-focused programme designed for students who want to enter the professional beauty and personal-care industry. The programme combines classroom learning with hands-on experience in an on-site beauty clinic, allowing students to develop practical treatment, client-care, sales and salon skills. The qualification is offered at Mokoia Campus in Rotorua and Windermere Campus in Tauranga. The current course page was updated on 16 September 2026.

• Level of study: New Zealand Certificate – Level 4
• Duration: 1 year full-time, including holidays where applicable
• Total credits: 120
• Study mode: Primarily on-campus, practical/full-time study with hands-on training in the beauty clinic; the course is not presented as an e-learning or blended programme.
• Campuses:
  • Mokoia Campus, Rotorua
  • Windermere Campus, Tauranga
• Current next intake: February 2027
• Additional 2027 intake dates listed: 19 July 2027 at both Rotorua and Tauranga.

Key Benefits

• Develop practical skills in a broad range of professional beauty treatments.
• Gain real-client experience through the on-site beauty clinic.
• Learn from locally and internationally trained tutors.
• Build professional customer service, reception, cashiering and product-sales skills.
• Develop foundational knowledge of anatomy, physiology, nutrition and salon practice.
• Prepare for employment in beauty salons, spas, beauty clinics and related service environments.
• Provides a pathway to the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5).

Program Structure

The programme covers the core practical and theoretical areas required for entry-level professional beauty therapy practice.

• Professional Practice
• Facial Services
• Eye Enhancement Services
• Makeup Practice
• Hair Removal
• Nail Services
• Foundation Body Therapy
• Salon Skills
• Practical training includes services such as:
  • Mini facials
  • Eyelash tinting
  • Eyebrow shaping
  • Waxing
  • Makeup applications
  • Manicures and pedicures
• Supporting knowledge includes anatomy, physiology and nutrition.

Entry requirements for the programme include NCEA Level 1 or an equivalent qualification, completion of the New Zealand Certificate in Make Up and Skincare (Level 3), or evidence demonstrating the ability to complete the academic requirements. International applicants also need to meet the applicable English-language requirement. Toi Ohomai lists IELTS General or Academic 5.5, with no band below 5, or an accepted equivalent English-proficiency outcome.

Discipline / Specialisation

The programme sits within the Beauty Therapy discipline and provides broad foundational training rather than separate specialist strands.

• Beauty therapy
• Facial and skincare services
• Eye enhancement
• Makeup
• Hair removal and waxing
• Nail care
• Basic body therapy
• Salon operations and professional practice

Students who want to progress into more advanced beauty therapy training can continue to the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5).

Programme Highlights

• 120-credit Level 4 qualification.
• One-year full-time programme.
• Available at both Rotorua and Tauranga campuses.
• Strong practical focus through an on-site beauty clinic.
• Training covers both beauty treatments and the professional/customer-service side of salon work.
• Opportunity to gain experience working with real clients.
• Current international tuition listing: NZD $27,360 for the programme/intake listed for international students.
• The domestic course page currently shows an indicative domestic fee of NZD $7,392, but notes that 2027 domestic fees are still subject to confirmation. International students should use the international fee listing when budgeting.
• Toi Ohomai's 2027 information also lists Beauty Therapy among its courses with a February 2027 intake and among programmes included in its 2027 Free Fees course offering; eligibility for Free Fees depends on the student's circumstances and is not a general international-student fee waiver.
• The qualification can provide a pathway into the Level 5 Beauty Therapy diploma.

Career Outcomes

Graduates can use the qualification to pursue entry-level opportunities in the beauty and personal-care sector. Possible career directions include:

• Beauty Therapist
• Beauty salon or spa therapist
• Beauty clinic service roles
• Cosmetic product company representative
• Client-service and reception roles within beauty businesses
• Further study toward the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5)

Toi Ohomai also highlights broader opportunities within the beauty and wellness industry, including salons, spas, beauty clinics and other professional beauty environments.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

International students normally require an appropriate New Zealand student visa to study this full-time programme. The Fee Paying Student Visa requires an offer of place from an approved education provider, evidence of tuition funding, sufficient living funds, acceptable medical/travel insurance and satisfaction of Immigration New Zealand's other requirements.

• Students must provide evidence of funds for tuition fees or an applicable scholarship.
• For tertiary study of one year or more, Immigration New Zealand currently requires evidence of NZD $20,000 per year for living expenses, in addition to tuition fees.
• Students must also demonstrate funds for outward travel or hold an appropriate onward/return ticket.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance is required for the period specified by the visa conditions.
• The Fee Paying Student Visa may allow students to work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during holidays, depending on the conditions attached to the individual visa.
• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before planned travel, particularly because student-visa processing can be busy between October and March.
• Students from countries including India may potentially use New Zealand's Funds Transfer Scheme where Immigration New Zealand requires it; use of the scheme does not guarantee visa approval.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The latest Toi Ohomai course-page update is dated 16 September 2026.
• The currently listed 2027 start dates are 22 February 2027 and 19 July 2027 at both Mokoia Campus, Rotorua, and Windermere Campus, Tauranga.
• The international course listing currently shows NZD $27,360 for the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4), with February 2027 listed as the intake.
• Toi Ohomai states that fees can vary where additional course materials, levies or other applicable costs are involved, so students should confirm the final fee at the time of enrolment.
• Toi Ohomai's current scholarship page lists general scholarships and funding opportunities, including the Toi Ohomai Study Award and other prospective-student scholarships. No Beauty Therapy-specific international scholarship is identified on the current scholarship listing. Scholarship eligibility and application dates vary by award.
• International applicants should meet both the academic entry criteria and the specified English-language requirement before enrolment.
• An information session may be required/invited as part of the admission process to discuss the course, content, career goals and suitability.