Study the New Zealand Diploma in Remedial Massage and become a qualified massage therapist. You will be able to work in the health and massage therapy industry and deliver remedial massage and wellness and relaxation massage.
SIT is now offering this course in HyFlex ('Hybrid-Flexible') which combines face-to-face and online learning.
One year full-time
This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.
International Fees can be found here.
The New Zealand Diploma in Remedial Massage will give you the recognised qualification needed to work independently in the massage industry.
You will learn the skills and knowledge needed to professionally deliver remedial massage and wellness and relaxation massage in the health or massage industries.
Students will learn to:
Summary of Blended Learning Structure for BTSM Year 2/NZ Diploma in Remedial Massage in 2023
GEN200 Research and Statistics
This paper aims to prepare the student for professional practice by presenting research as a uniting strategy for practice, theory and scholarship. Both scientific and interpretative knowledge will be drawn upon in preparing the student to become a competent consumer of research. Students will also be assisted to develop skills as a beginning researcher.The student will study different types of scientific and interpretative inquiry and personal experience will be used to identify areas in requiring research, and for the utilisation of research findings.
MT6210 Pathology for Massage Practitioners
The student will develop knowledge and skills in the common diseases and disorders associated with the major body systems and be able to discuss their relationship to massage therapy. Students will acquire an introductory knowledge and understanding of pharmacology for musculoskeletal dysfunctions and outcome measurements. This knowledge will assist in safe and appropriate planning and evaluation of client care.
MT6225 Massage for Physical performance
The student will develop knowledge and skills in the principles and practice of training, exercise prescription, and introductory biomechanics for physical performance; review current research on musculoskeletal management; and apply massage techniques for stretching and musculoskeletal injury management.
MT6240 Clinical Reasoning and Funcational Assessment
The student will develop knowledge the process of clinical reasoning during client assessment and skills in enquiry, observation and testing. The student will use these skills to identify, analyse, synthesize and interpret the level of disability and resultant dysfunction in clients with musculoskeletal disorders, and identify possible contra-indications or scope of practice issues.
MT6250 Clinical Practice I
This paper provides a clinic/workplace experience and practice under clinical supervision for assessment, treatment planning, and reporting of case studies in therapeutic and sports massage techniques.
MT6251 Clinical Practice II
This clinical education paper reinforces and extends the theoretical knowledge and skills developed in the classroom and in Clinical Practice I. The student under the supervision of a clinical practitioner evaluates and interacts with suitable clients and clinical situations to facilitate self learning, clinical reasoning and develop a problem solving approach to treatment.
MT6270 Therapeutics II
To provide studies in a range of advanced therapeutic massage/NMT techniques to restore the structural, functional and postural integrity of the body and to address the problem of pain.
Graduates of this diploma will be qualified to work as remedial massage therapists in a broad range of remedial massage settings.
Settings include:
All ApplicantsSuccessful completion of the New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5), or the first year of the Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage, or an equivalent programme of study to NZQA Level 5.
Additional CriteriaSuccessful applicants will be required to complete a New Zealand Police Consent to Disclosure of Information form. The form will be sent by SIT to the Police Licensing and Vetting Service, and returned in confidence to the Head of Department or Programme Manager delegate. Information on the NZ Police Vetting Service is available from the New Zealand Police website. Applicants are asked to make a confidential declaration as to whether or not they have prior criminal convictions, and are advised at the time of the request for information that a prior conviction may not necessarily exclude them from admission.
In addition, the following requirements also apply to applicants in all admissions and categories.
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
IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score 5 TWE) TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18) Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill. OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic) Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42 Language Cert - C1 Expert International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than distinction in any band
* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current
Specific requirements
This programme is taught using HyFlex delivery. Please note that papers within this programme may alter due to the Unification of Massage Therapy Level 6 Curriculum. Further details will be made available when known.
Student's First Day Requirements
If you completed the Level 5 Massage Diploma outside of SIT, you will need to provide 3 sets of quality linen for clinical practice. The requirements will be discussed in the first week.
Please note that a reasonable level of fitness is required to perform massage therapy. You will also need to give and receive massage therapy to people of all genders. Classes usually finish by 4pm however during clinical placements you may be required beyond these hours, including at the weekend. You will be advised on the timetable.
To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Diploma in Remedial Massage (Level 6) 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