Course Overview
Discover a rewarding career in massage therapy—a path to enriching others' well-being.
Our expert tutors cover anatomy, physiology, therapeutic massage, and sports massage. This qualification also includes vital business skills, connecting you with the industry and working in supervised massage clinics to gain real world experience.
Explore specialised courses, such as Te Hīriri (Cultural Competence), learning cultural context of massage therapy in Aotearoa and so much more.
Whether you want to run your own massage business or gain employment, you'll have what you need to plan a bright future. You can study either full-time or part-time with in class and online learning.
Upon successfully completing the requirements you'll receive the award of:
- New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5)
| Locations | Tauranga |
|---|---|
| Next intake | Mar 2025 View more details |
| Study options |
1 year full-time, including holidays (if applicable) |
| Total credits | 120 |
| StudyLink assistance | Available |
| Indicative Fees | $7,041 for domestic students View full fees information |
| Eligibility | View entry criteria |
To see the information for international students change your location using the button at the top right of the screen.
Career opportunities
- Home-based massage therapist
- Community based massage therapist
- Employment within health care facilities or spa-based massage therapy clinics
- Employment within sport and fitness facilities (non-injury work) or with sport teams or individual athletes.
You may choose to become self-employed with your own massage therapy business, or you may find employment in the sports industry, working in spas and hotels, on cruise ships, or alongside other medical professionals like physiotherapists.
Topics you'll cover
- Massage Theory to Practice
- Wellness Dimensions and Client-Centred Care
- Musculoskeletal Surface Anatomy
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Sports Massage
- Te Hīhiri
- The Professional Practitioner
- Relaxation and Wellness Massage Clinical Practice
Course Fees
| Indicative Fees * | $7,041 for domestic students |
|---|
Your final fee may vary if:
- you have a choice of topics/papers to study
- the qualification excludes GST
- there are extra course materials to purchase
- student levies apply
We’ll let you know if any of these apply to you.
* Important fee information, and hints and tips
Help with fees
Are you Eligible for Free Fees?
There are several ways to take advantage of free study at Toi Ohomai. Find out how on our Fees Free FAQ page.
Student Loans and Allowances
This course meets the requirements for student allowance and student loan applications through StudyLink.
- A student loan helps to pay for your course fees (the compulsory fees), study materials e.g. books, equipment, and living costs. You'll have to pay this money back.
- A student allowance is a weekly payment that can help with your living expenses while you're studying. You don't have to pay the money back.
Find out more and apply at studylink.govt.nz
Scholarships
Scholarships are one way you might be able to get some financial help. Any scholarships specifically related to this course are shown below, otherwise check out the full list of scholarships promoted by Toi Ohomai.
Course Entry Information
Entry criteria
Standard Entry Criteria
Admission, entry, selection, and enrolment into programmes will be in accordance with the Academic Regulations and/or, where approved, specific programme regulations.
For Levels 5, 6 and 7 certificate or diploma, domestic students under 20 and all international students must have:
NCEA Level 2 with passes in English/Te Reo Māori or education achievement at least equivalent to NCEA Level 2 and a minimum of 42 credits at level 3; OR
Evidence of ability to complete academic requirements for the programme.
Other Considerations
Police Vetting
You will need to sign a consent form, which will allow Toi Ohomai to complete a police check before you start the course, during the course, and before you finish the course. Any applicant with a conviction must attend an interview with the relevant department staff and may be declined entry onto the course.
You will only be accepted onto the course once a satisfactory police check has been completed.
English language requirements
Level 5 certificate or diploma IELTS Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 or completed NZ Certificate in English Language Level 4 with the Academic Endorsement or meets a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined by NZQA.
Return to course overview
Course Locations and Intake Information
| Location | Campus | Start Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tauranga | Windermere Campus | 3 Mar 2025 |
Study options
- 1 year full-time, including holidays (if applicable)
