New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Professional Stylist) (Level 4)
Graduate as a fully qualified and confident hairdresser with this one-year, hands-on programme. Ideal for those who have studied Level 3 hairdressing or who have prior hairstyling experience, you’ll learn in our on-campus professional training salon and complete an industry placement. Work with real clients to develop your customer care and client service skills, as well as your professional salon and hairdressing skills.
Domestic
About the programme
Graduate as a fully qualified hairdresser with this one-year, hands-on programme.
Ideal for those who have studied Level 3 hairdressing or who have prior hairstyling experience, you’ll learn in our on-campus professional training salon.
You’ll get to work with real clients – both in our training salon, and while on industry placement – which will develop your client service skills, as well as your professional salon and hairdressing skills.
Topics include customer care from entry to exit; diverse hair types; layering; perming; chemical reformation; advanced cutting; colouring; combination cuts; sculpting; building a client base; and salon profitability.
Our experienced staff are there to support you throughout your study and with a range of guest speakers, you’ll graduate as a confident and work-ready professional.
Career opportunities include qualified Hairdresser, Salon Trainer, Salon Owner/Operator, Hairdressing Technician, Hairdressing Representative or hairdressing education.
International
About the programme
Graduate as a fully qualified hairdresser with this one-year, hands-on programme.
Ideal for those who have studied Level 3 hairdressing or who have prior hairstyling experience, you’ll learn in our on-campus professional training salon.
You’ll get to work with real clients – both in our training salon, and while on industry placement – which will develop your client service skills, as well as your professional salon and hairdressing skills.
Topics include customer care from entry to exit; diverse hair types; layering; perming; chemical reformation; advanced cutting; colouring; combination cuts; sculpting; building a client base; and salon profitability.
Our experienced staff are there to support you throughout your study and with a range of guest speakers, you’ll graduate as a confident and work-ready professional.
Career opportunities include qualified Hairdresser, Salon Trainer, Salon Owner/Operator, Hairdressing Technician, Hairdressing Representative or hairdressing education.
What You Study
Courses
All courses are assessed through a portfolio.
Professional Stylist Attributes (10 credits)
Indicative content
- Evaluation skills
- Interpersonal skills (e.g. adaptability, problem solving)
- Salon culture (e.g. atmosphere, dress standard, price range)
- Your online presence and that of the salon
- Self-image and professional image
- Professional communication / Communication with individual clients
- Appropriate topics of conversation
Sculpture (20 credits)
Indicative content
- Cultural awareness
- Diverse hair types (e.g. texture, density, length, hair and scalp conditions)
- Cutting procedures (e.g. head position, partings)
- Tools of the trade techniques (e.g. razors, clipper, scissors)
- Layer form (e.g. increased, graduated, uniform)
- Finishing skills (e.g. blow drying, products)
The Art of Advanced Hair Design (15 credits)
Indicative content
- Client’s wishes
- Current long and short hairstyling techniques
- Blow waving
- Long hair – back combing and a variety of techniques
Reformation Designs (15 credits)
Indicative content
- Perming and chemical theory
- In-depth consultation for a reformation service
- Home haircare and product recommendations
- Permanent wave, straightening and relaxing
- Variety of winding techniques for permanent wave
- Salon and client health and safety
Advanced Colour Design (20 credits)
Indicative content
- Colouring and decolouring theories
- Correcting unwanted reflects/colour tones
- Consultation scenarios
- Oxidative colour, on scalp lightening, toning, full head foils, colour correction
Fashion Colour and Sculpture (15 credits)
Indicative content
- Collection of a range of current fashion cut and colour images that show various techniques
- Design principles – structure, texture, shape, balance and form
- Combination cuts
- Combination creative colour techniques/looks not used in previous courses
- Sculpturing procedures
- Photos of own work – before, during, and after
Advanced Client Journey (15 credits)
Indicative content
- Time management
- Working as a team
- Building a client base
- Customer care from entry to exit
- Salon ethics
- Salon profitability – sustainable practices, KPIs
Advanced Grand Finale (10 credits)
Indicative content
- Construct a plan for cut, colour, and finishing design
- Design process
- Themes
- Dressing and finishing techniques
- Presentation skills
Workload
Your workload
You will spend most of your time in our on campus, professional training salon.
Weekday training will run from 9.00am – 4.00pm each day.
Industry days/dates are still to be confirmed.
Entry
Entry requirements
- New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 3) or equivalent qualification.
- If you’re 20 years old or above and do not meet the entry requirements, you are eligible for special admission. We’ll work with you to ensure you are prepared for this programme.
- If you’re under 20 and do not meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for discretionary admission. We’ll work with you to check that you're prepared for this programme.
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in onetest completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency tableand here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes
Selection criteria
If the number of applicants exceeds the available places, a waitlist will be used to ensure preference is given to applicants in order of application.
Pathway to this programme
- New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 3) - offered on campus in Dunedin, starts February
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Additional costs
- Uniform shirt: Approx. cost - $40
- Name badge: Approx. cost - $15 (pin-back) or $18.50 (magnetic)
- Photocopy and printing costs for personal work and assessments
- Hairdressing kit
- Travel, accommodation (if required) and food costs associated with attendance at work placement
- You will also need access to a digital camera and a video camera/phone that can record video footage.
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.
