New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 3)
Want to be a hairdresser? This is the perfect first step. You’ll learn a wide range of basic techniques from experienced hairdressers in a real salon setting. This programme is ideal for those wanting to gain confidence and to learn foundational skills in a low-pressure environment.
Domestic
About the programme
Hairdressing is an exciting and creative career that allows you to express yourself!
Hairdressing skills are highly transferable and always needed, so you can get a job anywhere in the world.
Our passionate tutors have a rapport with the industry and this connection and involvement with local businesses has resulted in students gaining employment and apprenticeships.
Our training salon is set up to represent a real-world working salon. This will enable you to gain hands-on experience with clients and to build your skills and knowledge in a supportive and realistic environment. This will be further added to during your off-site work experience.
We have regular visits from industry professionals ensuring you are up-to-date with current information about hairdressing technologies, trends and products. These visits also give an insight into the qualities and skills that potential employers are seeking.
International
About the programme
Hairdressing is an exciting and creative career that allows you to express yourself!
Hairdressing skills are highly transferable and always needed, so you can get a job anywhere in the world.
Our passionate tutors have a rapport with the industry and this connection and involvement with local businesses has resulted in students gaining employment and apprenticeships.
Our training salon is set up to represent a real-world working salon. This will enable you to gain hands-on experience with clients and to build your skills and knowledge in a supportive and realistic environment. This will be further added to during your off-site work experience.
We have regular visits from industry professionals ensuring you are up-to-date with current information about hairdressing technologies, trends and products. These visits also give an insight into the qualities and skills that potential employers are seeking.
What You Study
Courses
| Course name | When you successfully finish this course, you'll be able to: |
| Professional Identity |
Explain the roles, responsibilities, and attributes of a professional in the hairdressing industry. Complete a hair service which reflects your own professional identity. |
| Salon Discovery |
Use systems to complete client bookings in a hairdressing salon. Discuss policy and practices within salon services. Communicate with diverse clients in a professional context. |
| The Art of Hair Design |
Complete the consultation process to inform design decisions in a hairdressing context. Apply design principles to long and short hairstyles to an industry standard. Recommend products and home haircare for clients. |
| Reformation Basics |
Explain reformation processes relevant to a hairdressing context. Follow instructions in a hairdressing context. Assist with chemical reformation services in a hairdressing context. |
| Introduction to Sculpture |
Describe the principles and practices of haircutting. Explain culturally-safe behaviours and professional practices in a hairdressing context. Apply technical haircutting skills to a hairdressing industry standard. |
| Colour Basics |
Explain colour and decolouring processes relevant to a hairdressing context. Complete colouring services to an industry standard under supervision. |
| Client Journey |
Demonstrate professional behaviour and skills to hairdressing industry standards during the client's journey. Reflect on professional behaviour and skills required to meet hairdressing industry standards during a client's journey. |
| Grand Finale |
Design a collection of hair styles in response to a theme. Present a collection of hair styles to a professional standard. |
Workload
Your workload
- Course workload for this programme will require approximately 20 hours directed study in the form of salon and classroom sessions per week.
- Contact hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00am-4.00pm
- It is also expected that you will spend approximately 15 hours per week of your own time in self-directed learning.
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- Open entry (as long as we are confident you have the capability to complete the requirements of the programme).
English Language requirements
- If English or te reo Māori is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance, or
- Overall Academic or General IELTS 5.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), or
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
This programme is run subject to minimum numbers.
Please note: The hairdressing industry is a physically demanding environment. Please make sure you feel comfortable entering this industry. We might invite you for a chat with the Programme Coordinator as part of our application process - this might be a phone call, an informal meeting, or attendance at an information night. We just want to make sure all applicants are prepared for studying and working in this environment.
Selection process
You may be asked to have an interview with the Programme Coordinator. This interview may be a phone call, a meeting or attendance at an information night.
Please be aware that you'll also need to have the physical fitness to withstand the demands of the hairdressing industry.
All applicants who fulfil the entry requirements will be accepted onto the programme until maximum learner numbers are reached.
Pathways to this programme
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Additional costs
- Personal stationery
- Ongoing access to a computer, camera, and internet
- Clothing and footwear similar to what would be worn in the hairdressing industry
- Optional costings towards extending your hairdressing kit (see below).
Please note: We supply all hairdressing equipment and tools to support your practical training. You will also receive a hairdressing kit inclusive of your fees for your student-managed learning.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
