Whakarākai Tangata
Hair, Beauty and Massage
Express your creativity, interact with clients and be the one to make people look and feel their best.
Careers in hairdressing, barbering, beauty therapy and massage therapy offer wide potential across many industries and can take you around the world.
You'll learn from industry professionals who will teach you both theory and practical skills in our modern salons and clinics. You'll gain valuable industry knowledge by operating clinic and salon days with real clients, replicating industry practices and dealing with the challenges involved. When you graduate, you'll be industry-ready and highly capable with good problem-solving skills.
NB: If you’re still at high school, a Dual Enrolment programme at Ara can equip you with skills while you continue your education at school. Find out more here.
We offer a range of practical, industry-relevant programmes in hairdressing and barbering, beauty therapy and massage therapy.
Our purpose-built facilities provide a professional salon environment with up-to-date equipment and industry-leading products such as Wella, American Crew, O Cosmetics, Sothys.
We work closely with businesses and organisations in the hair and beauty therapy industries, and an advisory committee, to ensure our programmes will equip you with the skills employers need. These relationships also enable us to facilitate work experience opportunities that often lead to employment.
You can be confident that a qualification from Ara gives employers a clear signal that you have the skills, knowledge and practical experience needed to be effective in the workplace from day one.
If you think you may require modifications in order to undertake the practical components of a particular course of study, we encourage you to discuss these with us so we can give them careful consideration.
As it may take time to consider and implement any modifications, please contact disability@ara.ac.nz as early as possible prior to the course starting. We’ll also need to check that there’s no risk of harm to you or anyone else before making a final decision.
Throughout this process we’ll communicate with you in a clear and timely manner.
Related programmes & courses
New Zealand Diploma in Remedial Massage (Level 6)
Remedial massage targets areas of the body in need of rehabilitation and pain relief due to injury or chronic conditions
New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy
Expand your skills and expertise to become a leader in beauty therapy.
New Zealand Certificate in Commercial Barbering
Master the art of barbering for a career in an expanding sector.
New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy
Acquire the skills and knowledge needed to work as a beautician, in New Zealand or overseas.
Beauty Therapy and Hairdressing Level 3 (Dual Enrolment)
Discover if a career in beauty or hair is for you.
Salon Skills Level 2 (Dual Enrolment)
Prepare for further training or employment in hairdressing or beauty therapy.
Introduction to Barbering (Dual Enrolment)
Gain a foundation of essential skills for a barbering career.
STAR - Beauty Therapy
Learn how to perform a range of beauty salon treatments.
Barbering Taster
Get a feel for life as a barber
Beauty Therapy Taster
Test your beauty skills in a professional clinic