New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 3)
Beauty & Personal Care
A course by
Otago Polytechnic
Gain hands-on skills and foundational knowledge for a career in hairdressing. Learn from experienced tutors in a real salon environment with strong industry connections.
In-person study
Face-to-face learning in a physical classroom setting
Dunedin, Dunedin
It will take a total of 1 year
This course requires 35 hours per week
Core skills this course teaches
Develop professional identity and behaviour
Explain roles, responsibilities, and attributes of a professional in the hairdressing industry; provide services that reflect your own professional identity.
Operate and support salon systems
Use industry systems for client bookings; communicate professionally with diverse clients and understand salon policies and practices.
Consult and design for client needs
Complete the consultation process to inform design decisions; apply technical and creative hair design solutions.
What You're Signing Up For
This one-year, full-time NZQA Level 3 certificate provides foundational hairdressing skills for people wanting to enter the hair and beauty industry. Students train in a realistic salon environment, learning core techniques and participating in off-site work experience. The curriculum includes professional conduct, client communication, hair design, haircutting, colour and chemical services. Industry involvement through guest speakers and direct links to employment is a feature of the programme.
Course Content
- Professional identity in hairdressing
- Salon operations and client booking systems
- Salon policy, practice and client communication
- Hair consultation and design decisions
- Application of design principles to styling
- Product knowledge and home haircare recommendations
- Chemical reformation basics
- Principles and practices of haircutting
- Culturally-safe and industry professional behaviours
- Colouring and decolouring processes
- Client journey and experience management
- Thematic hair styling project and presentation
What you need to know first
Open entry. All applicants who fulfil the entry requirements will be accepted until the maximum number is reached.
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Hairdressing
Beauty and Personal Care
Personal Services
Future employment opportunities might be
Hairdressing salon assistant
Junior hairdresser
Apprenticeship in hairdressing
Otago Polytechnic is known for high quality, hands on learning that leads to strong outcomes. With excellent student satisfaction, high graduate employment rates, and a commitment to sustainability, it’s a place where practical skills meet purpose. Their award winning programmes span design, fashion, creative arts, trades, health, and business, giving you real experience and real confidence for whatever comes next.