Course Overview

If a career as a makeup artist excites you, then we have the perfect course to get you started.

You’ll gain all the right skills and technical know-how to assess a client’s skin and apply a range of makeup looks from day and evening to red carpet and runway glamour.

To complement your technical artistry skills, industry and product knowledge, you’ll also learn professional business skills such as customer service and communication skills, retail sales and promotion techniques and personal presentation for the beauty industry.

If you prefer to be your own boss, this course provides that opportunity. You could be a freelance makeup artist working in a range of environments like fashion shows, film and television productions, weddings, beauty consultancies, cosmetic retail counters, and more. 

Get started today! Choose an exciting and rewarding career that can turn your creative imagination from a blank canvas to an amazing portrait of beauty.

Upon successfully completing the requirements you'll receive the award of:

  • New Zealand Certificate in Makeup and Skin Care (Introduction) (Level 3)
Locations Rotorua, Taupō, Tauranga, Whakatāne
Next intake Feb 2025 View more details
Study options

1 semester full-time, including holidays (if applicable)
Total credits 60
StudyLink assistance Available
Indicative Fees $3,490 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

Graduates of this course will have the skills and knowledge to be employed in skin care and make up technician roles within a pharmacy, department store, hair salon or beauty salon.

Topics you'll cover

  • Professional Practice
  • Skin Care Practice
  • Makeup Practice
  • Cosmetic Counter Sales and Service

Course Fees

Indicative Fees * $3,490 for domestic students
Course related costs

$550 - Kit costs, plus additional costs of dress code (professional black) and linen (information issued at our engagement sessions).

Please note, fees for our 2025 intakes are yet to be confirmed. Once they are, we will update our website to reflect the new 2025 fee amount.

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

Information Session

You’ll be invited to an information meeting. This is your opportunity to find out more about the course content and to make sure you're on the most appropriate course for your career aspirations and current level of experience.

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 courses at levels 1-3, domestic and international students will be required to:

Provide evidence of ability to complete academic requirements.

English language requirements

Level 3 certificate IELTS General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 or completed New Zealand Certificate in English Language Level 3 with an endorsement of either General, Workplace or Academic, or meets a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined by NZQA.

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Course Locations and Intake Information

Location Campus Start Date
Rotorua Mokoia Campus 17 Feb 2025 Apply now
Taupō Taupō Campus 17 Feb 2025 Apply now
Tauranga Windermere Campus 17 Feb 2025 Apply now
Whakatāne Whakatāne Campus 17 Feb 2025 Apply now
Rotorua Mokoia Campus 14 Jul 2025 Apply now
Taupō Taupō Campus 14 Jul 2025 Apply now
Tauranga Windermere Campus 14 Jul 2025 Apply now
Whakatāne Whakatāne Campus 14 Jul 2025 Apply now

Study options

  • 1 semester full-time, including holidays (if applicable)

Important dates

View calendar of start dates and events

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Further Study Options

Courses Currently Under Development at Toi Ohomai, or Offered at Other Institutions

  • New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4)
  • New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology (Level 4)