New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 3)
Beauty & Personal Care
A course by
Otago Polytechnic
Take the first step towards a career in hairdressing. Learn foundational techniques, build creative and practical confidence, and gain real-world experience in a working salon environment.
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
Professional Identity
Explain the roles, responsibilities, and attributes of a professional in the hairdressing industry and complete a hair service reflecting professional identity.
Salon Discovery
Use systems to complete client bookings, discuss salon policies and practices, and communicate professionally with diverse clients.
Art of Hair Design
Complete consultations, apply design principles for hairstyles, and recommend home hair care products to clients.
What You're Signing Up For
The New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 3) at Otago Polytechnic provides students with a broad foundation in hairdressing through hands-on training in a realistic salon setting and classroom sessions. Students will learn professional and technical hairdressing skills, develop an understanding of industry standards, and build confidence through engagement with real clients and off-site work experience. Experienced tutors and regular visits from industry professionals support learning and keep students up-to-date with trends, techniques, and employer expectations.
Course Content
- Professional Identity: Roles, responsibilities, and attributes of hairdressing professionals; Reflecting personal identity in services.
- Salon Discovery: Client booking systems; Salon policies and communication with diverse clients.
- The Art of Hair Design: Client consultation; Design principles; Industry-standard hairstyling; Product recommendation.
- Reformation Basics: Chemical reformation processes and services; Following instructions in hairdressing.
- Introduction to Sculpture: Principles and practices of haircutting; Culturally-safe professional practices; Technical haircutting skills.
- Colour Basics: Colour and decolouring processes; Colouring services under supervision.
- Client Journey: Demonstrating and reflecting on professional behaviours and skills throughout the client experience.
- Grand Finale: Designing and presenting themed collections of hairstyles.
What you need to know first
Open entry.
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Hairdressing
Beauty and personal care
Salon services
Future employment opportunities might be
Junior stylist
Salon assistant
Hairdressing apprentice
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.