NZ Certificate in Hairdressing
Launch your career in the hairdressing industry with the New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing.
Course Content
This hands-on qualification is designed for those passionate about hair and style, offering the perfect introduction to the dynamic world of hairdressing.
Develop essential skills and knowledge to thrive in a salon environment, with a focus on practical experience, customer service, and workplace professionalism.
What you'll learn:
Delivering professional client care, consultations and assisting stylists in a salon
Maintaining workplace health, safety, hygiene and salon practices
Performing hair and scalp treatments for healthy, vibrant hair
Shampooing and blow-drying techniques
Styling long hair and setting techniques
Enhancing retail product knowledge and reception expertise
Developing scissor and cutting techniques
Hair colouring, highlighting and foiling techniques
Why choose this qualification?
This Level 3 certificate is the ideal first step for aspiring hairdressers. You'll gain real-world experience in a salon setting, preparing you for employment or further training. Upon graduation, you'll be ready to work as a salon assistant or pursue advanced studies in hairdressing.
Course Highlights
Practical, hands-on learning.
Industry-relevant training delivered by expert tutors.
Supportive, creative learning environment.
Get More Info
Interested in finding out more? The Cut Above team are here to help. Fill in your details and we will give you a call to chat through your options.
Bonus Course Features
Personal hairdressing kit
Receive your Hairdressing Kit packed with professional hairdressing equipment, including combs, brushes and the tools of the trade for cutting and colouring. Please note this is considered a course related cost, so is not included as part of your course fees*
Build your own portfolio
Build your brand as a hairdresser, with hands-on training in the perfect blow wave, long hair styling, hair treatments, scissor and cutting skills, highlighting and foiling and colour styling. You’ll graduate with a portfolio of work to wow prospective clients and employers.
Career Pathways & Opportunities
Salon assistant or junior hairdresser.
Progress to the New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Professional Stylist) [Level 4].
Begin an apprenticeship in hairdressing.
Expand your freelance makeup artistry with essential hairstyling skills
Pursue opportunities in film, TV, theatre, and editorial styling
Specialise in bridal and special event hairstyling
Become a session stylist
Explore roles in product education and brand representation
Course Information
New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 3)
This programme welcomes school leavers and adults with a passion for hairdressing.
Applicants must be 16 years of age or older on commencement of the programme
Able to demonstrate a basic understanding of spoken and written English
Completed NCEA Level 1 (or equivalent)
All candidates are interviewed before enrolment in order to ensure their success.
International students must demonstrate a level of English language competency equivalent to IELTS level 5.5 (Academic) with no band less than 5.
Domestic
Tuition Fee: $11,732.63
Student Services Levy: $410*
Course Related Costs: $1,000**
*Also known as the CSSF or Compulsory Student Services fee. This fee covers the learning, employment, wellbeing and counselling support you might need during your time with us. This cost is paid together as part of your course fees. You can find out more information about what this covers here.
Fees are subject to change.
If you are aged between 16 and 24 years, you may qualify for one of our Youth Guarantee fee-free spots.
International
Tuition Fee: $27,300 NZD
Resource Fee: $2,500 NZD
Enrolment Fee: $500 NZD
Intake Dates
Frequently Asked Questions
You can complete our NZ Certificate in Hairdressing (Salon Support) (Level 3) in 34 weeks. Students who want to work as professional stylists can then continue to our NZ Certificate in Hairdressing (Professional Stylist) (Level 4), which is another 34-week course. You can earn both qualifications in 68 weeks of study with us. Some graduates start a hairdressing apprenticeship after Level 3 and complete their training on the job in a salon.
Our NZ Certificate in Hairdressing (Salon Support) (Level 3) is for school leavers and adults who are passionate about hair and want to work in a salon. People who follow hair and fashion trends and enjoy talking with clients tend to enjoy salon work. Hairdressers also need a careful eye for detail, especially when they mix colour or place foils for highlights. Freelance makeup artists can study the course too if they want to add hairstyling to the services they offer.
No. You can enrol without salon experience, as long as you have NCEA Level 1 or an equivalent qualification and are at least 16 when the course starts. We interview every applicant before they enrol to talk through their goals and check if the course is a good fit. International applicants can enrol with an IELTS score of 5.5 (Academic) and no band below 5, while domestic applicants need a basic understanding of spoken and written English.
You’ll train with your own kit of professional hairdressing tools and learn how to:
Look after clients and assist stylists in a salon
Follow health, safety and hygiene standards
Give hair and scalp treatments
Shampoo and blow-dry hair
Style and set long hair
Advise clients on retail products and work on reception
Cut hair with scissors
Colour hair and apply foils for highlights
Graduates can apply for salon assistant or junior hairdresser roles or start a hairdressing apprenticeship in a salon. You’ll leave the course with a portfolio of your work, which you can show salon owners when you apply. Hairdressers who gain further training and experience can go on to specialise in areas like bridal and special event styling, film and TV work, session styling or product education.
We teach the NZ Certificate in Hairdressing (Salon Support) (Level 3) at our Auckland City campus, 360 Queen Street, in central Auckland. You’ll complete your practical training in our salon there, where tutors will guide you through each new technique. Students who want to keep studying can also take our NZ Certificate in Hairdressing (Professional Stylist) (Level 4) at the same campus once they finish Level 3.
You’ll learn to support stylists in a salon at Level 3, whereas you’ll train to work as a stylist yourself in our NZ Certificate in Hairdressing (Professional Stylist) (Level 4). Level 4 tutors teach advanced cutting and colouring techniques and show you how to consult clients about personalised hair care. You’ll also perform chemical services like perms and keratin treatments and learn how a professional salon works. Applicants for Level 4 need our Level 3 certificate or an equivalent qualification.
No. You can enrol in Level 3 directly if you have NCEA Level 1 or an equivalent qualification. Applicants who haven’t completed NCEA Level 1 can start with our Certificate in Salon Skills (Level 2), which accepts students without NCEA qualifications. That 16-week course introduces hairdressing, barbering and makeup, which is useful if you’d like to try each area before you choose one.
Cut Above Academy is one of the trading names for the registered PTE Yoobee Colleges. Your enrolment is with Yoobee Colleges Ltd and your qualification is issued by Yoobee Colleges.
Qualifications are issued by Yoobee Colleges Ltd. Yoobee Colleges Ltd is an NZQA registered provider.
Term dates are subject to change pending enrolment numbers, availability and unforeseen funding fluctuations. Yoobee Colleges Ltd reserves the right to modify schedules to make sure the College runs well and students are offered the best learning experience.