The NZ Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) equips you with practical skills to deliver a wide range of beauty services, including nail care, skincare, and makeup application. You’ll also develop essential knowledge of the business side of beauty therapy, with a focus on customer service, sales, and professional practice—preparing you for success in the industry.
One year full-time
2026 Semester 2: 20 July to 23 April
2027 Semester 1: 15 February to 19 November
2027 Semester 2: 19 July to 21 April
This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.
International Fees can be found here.
The New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) will teach you how to deliver a range of beauty services. You will also learn business aspects of beauty therapy, customer service and sales.
You will learn:
iTEC international examinations can be undertaken as part of this course at an additional cost.
This qualification is designed to provide the beauty sector with therapists who have the skills and knowledge to analyse, plan and provide a broad range of beauty services. This course is intended for learners who have little or no prior learning or experience in beauty services.
CBT400 Anatomy and Physiology
Students awarded this qualification are able to identify systems of the human body, organs and general functions as relevant to beauty services.
CBT410 Consultation
Students awarded this qualification are able to:
CBT420 Dermatology
CBT430 Health, Safety and Hygiene
CBT440 Manicure and Pedicure
CBT450 Nutrition
Students awarded this qualification are able to demonstrate knowledge of nutrition in relation to beauty therapy services; and nutritional advice in relation to supporting skin care services.
CBT460 Reception
CBT470 Small Business
Students awarded this qualification are able to, in relation to the beauty services industry; explain types of business, Acts and Regulations affecting businesses, the operation of a small business and customer practice.
CBT480 Facial and Makeup Services
CBT490 Body Care Services
This qualification is designed to provide the beauty sector with therapists who have the skills and knowledge to analyse, plan and provide a broad range of beauty services.
The beauty sector will benefit by having beauty therapists with the skills and knowledge to competently provide a range of beauty services.
Graduates can work in Beaty Therapy Clinics and Health Related Businesses, or create your own business.
NCEA (Level 1) or equivalent. NCEA Level 2 is recommended only. All enrolments will be considered upon application.
English Language Requirements
Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following:
NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or
an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or
Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL); or
Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of a Bachelor ‘s Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters’ Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or
Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment
Certificate at Level 4
To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:
Please Note: Students failing to attend for 80% of the timetabled programme hours may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.
Classes are held Monday to Thursday, 8.30am-4.00pm at SIT's main Invercargill campus.
Students operate the SIT Beauty Therapy Clinic at various times throughout the year.