New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Professional Stylist) (Level 4)
Beauty & Personal Care
A course by
Otago Polytechnic
Graduate as a fully qualified and confident hairdresser in this one-year, hands-on Level 4 programme. Learn in a professional training salon with real clients and industry placement to develop customer care, client service, and advanced hairdressing skills.
In-person study
Face-to-face learning in a physical classroom setting
Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, Dunedin
It will take a total of 1 year
Core skills this course teaches
Graduate as a fully qualified hairdresser
Demonstrate all industry-required hairdressing and salon skills to confidently work as a professional stylist.
Deliver excellent customer care
Apply strong customer service and client management skills from first contact to client departure.
Apply advanced hairdressing techniques
Perform advanced cutting, layering, perming, reformation, and colouring for a diverse clientele.
What You're Signing Up For
This intensive, practical certificate enables students to become qualified hairdressers in just one year (full-time) or two years (part-time), learning in a professional training salon environment. The programme covers customer care, working with various hair types, advanced cutting and colouring, perming, chemical reformation, combination cuts, building a client base, and understanding salon profitability. Industry placements and real-client experiences develop both technical skills and customer service confidence. Graduates are work-ready for a range of roles in the professional hairdressing industry.
Course Content
- Professional Stylist Attributes: evaluation, interpersonal skills, salon culture, online presence, communication
- Sculpture: cultural awareness, cutting procedures, diverse hair types, tools and finishing techniques
- The Art of Advanced Hair Design: current hairstyling techniques, blow waving, long hair techniques
- Reformation Designs: perming, chemical theory, reformation consultations, health and safety
- Advanced Colour Design: colouring, decolouring, colour correction, consultation, foils
- Fashion Colour and Sculpture: fashion cuts, combination colour techniques, design principles
- Advanced Client Journey: time management, teamwork, building client base, salon ethics and profitability
- Advanced Grand Finale: planning design, themes, dressing and finishing, presentation skills
What you need to know first
New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 3) or equivalent qualification
Special admission for applicants aged 20+ who do not meet entry requirements
Discretionary admission may be available for applicants under 20 without standard prerequisites
International students: assessed individually for readiness
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Hairdressing
Beauty & Personal Care
Salon Services
Future employment opportunities might be
Qualified Hairdresser
Salon Trainer
Salon Owner/Operator
Hairdressing Technician
Hairdressing Representative
Hairdressing education roles
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.