Why Study / Key Benefits

• Develop advanced professional beauty therapy knowledge and practical skills.

• Gain experience in advanced skincare, spa treatments, massage and electrical beauty therapy.

• Learn advanced hair removal and electrolysis techniques.

• Understand human anatomy, physiology, nutrition and beauty therapy science.

• Gain supervised practical experience in a professional beauty clinic.

• Develop client consultation, treatment planning and customer relationship skills.

• Learn how to manage a client base and operate a small beauty therapy business.

• Develop professional presentation, teamwork and communication skills.

• Prepare for employment in beauty salons, day spas, specialist clinics and the wider beauty industry.

• Gain a nationally recognised New Zealand Level 5 qualification.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The diploma consists of seven courses, combining advanced theoretical knowledge, practical beauty therapy techniques and supervised clinic experience.

1. Beauty Therapy Science – 15 credits

• Advanced human anatomy and physiology.

• Science relevant to beauty therapy.

• Nutrition for advanced beauty treatments.

• Understanding the scientific principles behind professional beauty services.

2. Spa and Massage Therapy – 20 credits

• Spa therapy techniques and services.

• Professional massage therapy practices.

• Practical spa and massage treatments.

• 25 practicum hours.

3. Advanced Skin Care – 15 credits

• Advanced skincare products and treatments.

• Professional skin analysis and treatment approaches.

• Advanced beauty therapy skincare techniques.

• 10 practicum hours.

4. Advanced Hair Removal – 25 credits

• Advanced hair removal techniques.

• Professional hair removal services.

• Electrolysis-related knowledge and practical skills.

• Meeting client expectations and industry standards.

• 35 practicum hours.

5. Electrical Facial Therapy – 15 credits

• Electrical facial therapy techniques.

• Professional electrical facial treatments.

• Appropriate use of electrical beauty equipment.

• 10 practicum hours.

6. Electrical Body Therapy – 15 credits

• Electrical body therapy techniques.

• Professional electrical body treatments.

• Industry standards and treatment procedures.

• Awareness of developments and trends in beauty technology.

• 10 practicum hours.

7. Applied Beauty Therapy Practice (Clinic) – 15 credits

• Supervised professional beauty clinic practice.

• Client consultation and assessment.

• Analysing and interpreting client needs.

• Developing appropriate treatment plans.

• Applying professional beauty therapy standards.

• Sustainable business practices.

• CV development and job interview preparation.

• 40 practicum hours.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The qualification covers the following specialist areas:

• Advanced Beauty Therapy.

• Advanced Skin Care.

• Spa and Massage Therapy.

• Advanced Hair Removal.

• Electrolysis.

• Electrical Facial Therapy.

• Electrical Body Therapy.

• Beauty Therapy Science.

• Professional Beauty Clinic Management.

• Small Business Management in the Beauty Industry.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 5 qualification.

• 120-credit diploma.

• One-year full-time study.

• Two advertised campus options: Palmerston North and Masterton.

• Advanced practical beauty therapy training.

• Supervised client treatment experience.

• Access to fully equipped salons and a spacious beauty clinic.

• Professional training in electrical facial and body treatments.

• Advanced hair removal and electrolysis-related skills.

• Practical exposure to spa and massage therapy.

• Business management and sustainable business practice.

• Development of professional client consultation and communication skills.

• Preparation for employment or operating a small beauty therapy business.

Career Outcomes

Graduates can pursue professional employment opportunities in the beauty and wellness industry.

Potential career options include:

• Beauty Therapist.

• Beauty Therapist in a day spa.

• Beauty Therapist in a professional salon.

• Cruise Ship Beauty Therapist.

• Clinic Manager.

• Beauty Product Company Representative.

• Beauty Brand Manager.

• Beauty Account Manager.

• Beauty Clinic Owner.

• Self-employed Beauty Therapist.

• Advanced Skincare Specialist.

• Spa and Massage Therapy Professional.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

Latest published programme information:

• UCOL is advertising February 2027 commencement at both Manawat? and Wairarapa.

• The qualification is listed at Level 5.

• The programme remains a 120-credit, full-time qualification.

• The advertised international tuition fee is NZD $27,982.

• The programme is approved by NZQA under the Education and Training Act 2020.

Special requirements and practical considerations:

1. Personal Presentation

• Excellent personal presentation is required throughout the programme.

• Students must follow professional beauty industry standards.

• A UCOL-provided tunic must be worn for practical classes and clinics.

2. Uniform and Footwear

• Students need one or two pairs of black trousers, either three-quarter or full length.

• One pair of flat, closed-in black shoes is required.

3. Physical Requirements

• Students should be aware of the physical requirements of professional beauty therapy work.

• They must be capable of participating in practical beauty treatments and clinic activities.

4. First Aid

• First Aid is included as a programme component.

• Students should be prepared to undertake basic First Aid procedures.

5. Eyesight

• Good eyesight, with or without corrective lenses, is required for electrolysis services.

6. Beauty Clinic Experience

• Students will participate in operating UCOL's beauty clinic.

• They will provide beauty services to members of the public under lecturer supervision.

7. Special Needs

• Students must advise the programme leader in writing about any special needs or requirements before the programme starts.

8. Recognition of Prior Learning

• Students may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

• Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning are considered individually.

• Approval depends on evidence that the relevant learning outcomes have already been achieved.

Additional study materials and expenses:

• Black uniform trousers.

• Flat, closed-in black shoes.

• Ring binders, refills and subject dividers.

• Pens, pencils and highlighters.

• USB pen drive.

• An Introductory Guide to Anatomy and Physiology, 4th edition.

• Electrol-Epilation: A Practical Approach.

• Electrolysis visors and tweezers.

• Eye test.

• The Art and Science of Beauty Therapy by Jane Foulston.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students from India generally need a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa to enrol in this full-time Level 5 diploma.

The visa is issued by Immigration New Zealand, and admission to UCOL does not automatically guarantee visa approval.

1. Offer of Place

• Obtain an Offer of Place from UCOL.

• The offer should confirm the programme, qualification level, study location and duration.

• UCOL must be an approved education provider.

2. Tuition Fee Payment

• Demonstrate sufficient funds to pay the tuition fee.

• Provide evidence of tuition payment or an acceptable arrangement.

• Offshore applicants may request Approval in Principle (AIP) before paying tuition fees, subject to Immigration New Zealand requirements.

3. Living Expenses

Immigration New Zealand's current tertiary student living-cost requirements are:

• NZD $20,000 for each year of study lasting one year or longer.

• NZD $1,667 per month for study lasting less than one year.

The living-cost requirement is separate from tuition fees.

4. Financial Evidence

Applicants may provide:

• Recent bank statements.

• Education loan sanction documents.

• Fixed-term deposit certificates.

• Scholarship confirmation letters.

• Acceptable sponsorship or financial undertaking documents.

Immigration New Zealand may request evidence of the source of funds, particularly for large or recent deposits.

5. Medical and Travel Insurance

• Comprehensive medical and travel insurance is compulsory.

• Insurance must cover the student's period of study and stay in New Zealand.

• UCOL automatically enrols international students in its preferred Studentsafe insurance arrangement.

• Students arranging their own insurance must provide evidence that it meets UCOL and New Zealand requirements.

6. Health and Character Requirements

• Meet Immigration New Zealand's health requirements.

• Meet character requirements.

• Provide medical examination, chest X-ray or police certificates when required.

7. Genuine Student Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Genuine intention to study.

• A clear reason for choosing beauty therapy.

• Academic suitability for the qualification.

• Ability to meet English-language requirements.

• A credible financial plan.

• Future career plans consistent with the proposed programme.

8. Passport and Supporting Documents

Applicants generally need:

• Valid passport.

• Recent passport photograph.

• UCOL Offer of Place.

• Academic certificates and transcripts.

• English-language test results, where applicable.

• Tuition fee payment evidence or acceptable arrangements.

• Financial documents.

• Insurance evidence.

• Certified translations of relevant documents when required.

9. Student Visa Work Rights

• Eligible students may work up to 25 hours per week during their studies, subject to individual visa conditions.

• Full-time work may be permitted during scheduled holidays if the student meets Immigration New Zealand's requirements.

• Immigration New Zealand requires a course value of 120 credits for the relevant scheduled-holiday work entitlement.

• This diploma is a 120-credit qualification, but full-time holiday work is not automatic. The student's visa conditions and scheduled breaks must permit it.

• Students must comply with their visa conditions and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Visa application cost and processing:

• Application fee: From NZD $850.

• Processing time: 80% of applications within 7 weeks.

• Recommended application timing: At least 3 months before intended travel.