New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Salon Support) (Level 3)
If you're passionate about style and creativity, this qualification is the perfect first step into the world of hairdressing. You'll learn the essentials of salon life, from hairstyling and colouring to the basics of cutting techniques, while building the confidence and practical skills you need to work with clients.
Domestic
About the programme
This programme is designed as an introduction to hairdressing, giving you a solid foundation to build on with further study. You'll explore salon culture, hierarchy, and terminology to help you communicate confidently with clients, peers, and supervisors. In your first cutting sessions, you'll learn basic cutting techniques and technology, practicing on mannequins to follow pre-cut guides, comb and project hair, and maintain even tension.
You'll also gain experience in limited client consultations, including hair and scalp analysis, and learn elementary styling skills such as blow-drying, moulding, setting, and long hair-ups. The programme introduces colour applications, hair treatments, and essential health, safety, and hygiene practices, along with the personal presentation standards expected in a salon environment.
To meet Health and Safety requirements, applicants need to be physically able to participate in the practical components in a salon-like setting.
What You Study
Core elements
- Communication & Reception - interacting effectively with clients, peers, and supervisors; managing appointments and reception tasks.
- Consultation Skills - applying theory to conduct basic client consultations, including hair and scalp analysis.
- Shampoo & Treatments - applying/removing shampoo, conditioner, treatments, and colour.
- Product Recommendation - suggesting home hair care products to meet client needs.
- Styling Skills - applying knowledge of hair form, texture, and direction to style using tools and techniques.
- Cutting Skills - using and maintaining tools to perform basic cutting techniques.
- Colouring & Chemical Services - assisting with colouring, de-colouring, and chemical reformation under instruction.
- Professional Standards - maintaining personal hygiene, presentation, health, safety, and environmental requirements.
Further study options
- New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Professional Hairstylist) (Level 4).
Career opportunities
- Junior or assistant stylist in a hairdressing salon.
Workload
Your workload
This foundation-level hairdressing programme mixes hands-on practice with essential theory. You'll spend most of your time in the salon learning to cut, style, colour, shampoo, and treat hair, while also building skills in client consultations and salon communication. Theory sessions cover hair and scalp care, products, health and safety, and the basics of running a salon.
Outside class, you'll do some self-study-reading, researching products, and completing assignments-to reinforce your learning. Assessments include practical demonstrations, theory tests, client consultations, and building a portfolio of your work.
Entry
Entry requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- 10 credits NCEA Level 1 Literacy and 10 Credits Level 1 Numeracy or evidence of equivalent study/work experience.
- Students will be interviewed prior to enrolling on this programme. This enables staff to counsel students on intended workload and familiarise them with the programme content and facilities.
- If the number of applicants is greater than the number of places on the programme, then applicants who meet the entry requirements are accepted in the order of submission.
- Applicants for whom English is a second language must meet General or Academic IELTS 5 with no band score lower than 5 or NZQA approved equivalent.
Special notes
Special entry may be granted where evidence exists that the applicant can successfully complete the programme.
Application
Enrolments
When you apply to study with Tai Poutini Polytechnic, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people. The great news is that this enables us to share skills and knowledge across a network of passionate education providers, to better help you succeed. Enrolling in programmes with Tai Poutini Polytechnic, means that you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
You will be offered a place subject to meeting the entry and selection requirements and the availability of places on the programme. The Polytechnic reserves the right to not accept late applications, i.e., after the programme has started. The Polytechnic reserves the right to cancel, prior to commencement, any programme which does not attract a minimum number of students. The fees shown are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change. For further information visit here.
