Entry Criteria and Enrolment Information

Entry Requirements for Courses

The standard of our graduates is very high, so, to a certain extent, we prefer accepting a certain standard of applicant. We do not wish to preclude any individual from training, and we will assess you on your merits.

As prospective student, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate some past academic achievement (dependent on what qualification you are applying for).
1. Entry level qualifications: Demonstrate some past academic achivement.
1. This may take the form of formal, completed secondary qualifications such as School Certificate, University Entrance, Bursary, the National Certificate in Educational Achievement or any formal, completed secondary school qualification, such as Cambridge Exams. The NCEA criteria are listed here on NZQA's Web site.
1. The most basic secondary qualification we will accept (unless extraordinary circumstances prevented you from gaining it; you will need to provide evidence of this) is NCEA Level 1 or equivalent.
2. A completed NCEA Level 1 requires you to have successfully gained 80 or more credits at level one with 8 literacy and 8 numeracy credits.
3. A passed University of Cambridge International Examinations IGCSE is equivalent to NCEA Level 1.
2. Alternatively, a formal, completed tertiary qualification at certificate, diploma or degree level is acceptable. This could include a national certificate or national diploma, an NZQA-approved certificate or diploma, or a certificate, diploma or degree from a polytechnic or university.
1. We consider non-NZQA-Approved qualifications on a case-to-case basis.
2. We may consider overseas qualifications approved by the equivalent to NZQA in that country.
3. If you are aged 20 or over, you may provide evidence of skills or qualifications gained throughout work or your life if secondary school and tertiary qualifications are not available.
2. Professional development qualifications: Demonstrate you hold the required pre-requisite qualifications.
1. We require a photocopy of your original beauty therapy, nail technology and / or spa therapies qualification(s) in order for us to determine your eligibility for the qualification.
2. We outline pre-requisite qualifications required pre-requisites below under the qualification you are interested in.
3. We also place any additional pre-requisites on the same site. Some qualifications, like the Statement of Achievement in Red Vein Treatment, require you to practice electrology professionally for at least 2 years prior to starting the qualification.
4. We reserve the right to waive proof for NaSA graduates who are known to us.
2. Prove you are at least 17 years old by the start of the qualification. We have no upper age limit.
1. International students must be at least 18 years old at the time of enrolment.
3. Not suffer from any medical conditions that will restrict or preclude you from meeting course requirements and/or work in the industry. Certain disabilities and medical conditions may contraindicate or preclude you from completing some or all of the course requirements. Declare all medical and learning conditions in your application. There are solutions and work-arounds to some conditions. We judge applicants on a case-by-case basis.
4. Possess a good standard of health. Frequent absenteeism due to ill health is not acceptable, and it may stop you from sitting qualification examinations.
5. Not suffer skin rashes or allergies to products.
6. Converse, comprehend, read, write, speak and understand English to a suitable level. Students with learning disabilities or speaking English as a second language may be asked to provide medical diagnosis or evidence of suitability for the qualification, and may need to seek specialist tutor assistance during (and outside the scope of) the qualification.
1. To gain entry into any course at the school, international students who speak English as a second language should have, at minimum, one of the following scores from a test taken overseas or withine New Zealand:
• IELTS (Academic Module Test): 6.0 with no section lower than 6.0
• TOEFL
• Paper-Based Test (PBT) with a Test of Written English (TWE): 550 with a TWE score of 4.5
• Computer-Based Test (CBT): 213 with 4.5 for the essay with no section less than 20
• Internet-Based Test (iBT): 80, with listening no less than 19, reading no less than 19, writing no less than 19, speaking no less than 19
• The Cambridge English Test
• Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): C
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): A
• We prefer IELTS as our English language proficiency test.
2. International students who have English as a second language and are progressing form a New Zealand high school into our course, shoud have, at minimum, one of the following qualifications:
• NCEA
• NCEA Level 1, with 8 numeracy and 8 literacy credits; and
• 4 credits at level 2 from approved reading and writing areas
• Cambridge International Examinations
• A or AS leveles, with literary requirement of an E grade or better in AS English and numeracy requirement of a D grade or better in IGCSE Mathematics
• International Baccalaureate
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (English)
3. We reserve the right to accept alternative sources of English testing, such as First Certificate in English (FCE), high school or university transcripts with high to moderate passes in English, and so on.
4. We reserve the right to waive these test milestones where a student demonstrates proficiency in English.
7. Accept constructive criticism. Constructive criticism is the way in which we help you correct deficiencies or errors in your skills. We try to balance negative criticism with positive praise.

We reserve the right to allow special entry to students if they demonstrate an extraordinary ability which compensates for a deficiency in one or more of the areas above.

If your originals are not in English, you will need to have a certified translator translate the document into English for your application.

No-Shows for Interviews

If you are booked in for an interview and you do not show up for the interview, and you do not contact us with regards to why you did not show up (within a reasonable amount of time), we reserve the right to disqualify you from any further interviews or enrolment with us indefinitely. We also reserve the right to charge you a fee if you do not show up for the interview, if you doesn't follow instructions, and/or if you submit information and do not respond to our attempt at contacting you. See Fees and Charges for further information on what to expect for withdrawal or no-show fees.

Withdrawal of Written Request and Application for Interview

If you have submitted an application for interview, regardless if you are booked in for an interview or not, or if your application is complete or not, and you wish to withdraw the application for consideration, you are required to notify us in writing. This can be by fax, email or letter, and you are required to let us know the reason(s) why.

We may then bill you for time and resources used accordingly. See Fees and Charges for further information on what to expect for withdrawal fees.

If you are an enrolled student and wish to withdraw from your qualification, please see the Withdrawal Procedure for more information.

Restricted Entry and Entry with Provisions

We reserve the right to restrict or limit entry to qualifications on the basis of resource constraints. Our selection criteria attempt to be as open-minded as possible; however, with TEC's requirement of student achievement, we will attempt to only select students with the most promise of completing their chosen qualification of study successfully.

We also reserve the right to place provisions on enrolment. Examples of provisions may be:

• Providing medical clearance when you have declared medical disability or conditions; and/or
• Supplying any special needs or further instructions for students with learning disabilities from a medical or qualified practitioner; and/or
• Meeting the legal requirements to demonstrate residency or the right to study in New Zealand, including, but not limited to:
• Demonstrating proof of permanent residency acceptance if the student doesn't hold permanent residency at the time of application but will gain it in the near future; or
• Demonstrating proof of student visa and/or permit (or other acceptable visas/permits) if the international student doesn't hold the correct visa and/or permit at the time of application but will gain it in teh near future; and
• Demonstrating proof of adequate travel and medical insurance for international students.

If you do have a medical condition or learning disability and do not declare this to us in your application for interview with us, you could be seen to have misrepresented yourself. We have the right to either withdraw our offer of a place (if you have not enrolled already) or cancel your enrolment (if you have enrolled).

Pre-Requisite Qualifications

For all Professional Development qualifications, applicants are expected to provide evidence of completion of the pre-requisite qualification(s) with their submission. For more information on pre-requisite qualifications, see the individual qualification page at our Professional Development site.

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Enrolment Procedure for Courses

Our ideal student entry process for our courses is:

1. You contact us for information on the qualification.
• This request can be via the telephone, walk-in, fax or email.
• We supply you a downloadable copy of the Prospectus on the Downloads page.
• We encourage you to read the brochure with your family or friends.
2. If you are still interested, you can schedule an interview via the application form attached to the brochure and send it in with the relevant information.
• No information, no interview.
• Do not fax or email the information; post or courier it only.
• (See the section on what information you are required to attach to your application form below in Requirements for Granting of an Interview.)
• If you are applying for a professional development qualification, and trained with us within the last 5 years or so, we may not need proof of previous learning. If we confirm this in writing, skip to step 4.
3. You attend the interview.
• At the interview, we give you a Student Handbook with information about our policies and procedures relevant to your enrolment. Alternatively, download it from our Web site.
• Our representatives evaluate whether you are suitable for the qualification during the interview by assessing you against the requirements of the qualification through both your interview and your submitted information.
• (See the sections for more information on the content of the interview and applications for Assessment of Prior Learning, Cross Crediting, and Credit Transfer.)
4. Several days after you have attended the interview, we notify you in writing if we have offered you a place into the qualification.
• If we offer you a place:
• Your enrolment is taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
• We make no guarantees the place you want (i.e. morning or afternoon) or a place in the intake you want is available, only that you meet our entry criteria.
• We strongly encourage you to enrol as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
• If we reject your application, we reserve the right to not reveal its reasons for doing so.
5. If you complete the enrolment successfully, we will notify you in writing that we are holding a specific place for you in the qualification. You should start attending the qualification on the first day.
• You must submit the information required to satisfy the enrolment requirements before you can be accepted into the qualification.

Once enrolment is completed, you will receive:

• a letter confirming enrolment. This letter will include your ID number; and
• a copy of your enrolment form. Please keep it in a safe place; and
• a copy of your Public Trust application, if applicable.

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Requirements to Grant an Interview

For us to grant you an interview with us, we require some information from you to ensure you are suitable and to speed up the interview and enrolment process. When you submit this information, it ensures we are able to come to a reasonably sound conclusion about your application once you complete your formal interview.

The interview process ensures you are to the quality and level we require for entry into its qualifications and further training at the school. If our requirements for interview or the interview process itself seems too hard or too difficult for you, then we believe it would be in your best interest not to apply as you probably won't succeed in this industry.

The information we require -- typed please, if possible -- from you includes:

For All Entry-Level Courses

• A current Curriculum Vitae with work experience, school experiences, etc. Please do not submit the originals if you want them back; a good quality copy will suffice.
• You have the option of submitting this information in your application form instead of submitting a separate CV.
• For more information, see our Curriculum Vitae page (a new window will open).
• Example of a CV (PDF)
• Proof of learning/qualifications. Any qualifications or transcripts you may have from prior learning are helpful. Please submit photocopies.
• For more information, see our Proof of Learning page (a new window will open).
• Example of Proof of Learning (PDF)
• One (or more) written character references with contact details. We prefer work references, but personal references are also acceptable (Not from friends, partners or family). These references should tell us something about your work ethic, diligence, et cetera, or your personal ethics or achievements. Please do not submit originals if you want them back; a good quality copy will suffice.
• For more information, see our References page (a new window will open).
• Example of a reference (PDF)
• Please ensure they are signed and on letterhead or with contact details on them!
• A current passport photo. 5 cm X 4 cm passport photo, certified as a true copy of your likeness on the back, is required. You can buy passport photos at a passport photographer. Look up "passport photographers" in your local Yellow Pages for more information. Please do not fasten, glue, or secure the photo to paper, and do not trim the white border off, if possible. Sorry, no alternatives are acceptable. We use this photo for identification purposes; it will be used on your ID badge if you are accepted.
• For more information, see our Passport Photo page (a new window will open).
• Example of Certification of Copy Required On Back (JPG)
• A short letter or essay answering the following questions: (Each answer requires a paragraph written, i.e. more than three sentences, if possible.)
• Explain why you want to become a part of this industry.
• List your professional goals and objectives in this course and for your time in the industry.
• Explain your plans for employment or further training after graduating.
• Complete the following:
• Research the industry.
• Analyse your findings.
• Report your positive and negative findings.
• Explain why you have chosen the National School of Aesthetics.
• Complete the following:
• If you are looking at any other providers or courses, please list them.
• If you are not, please answer no.
• If you listed family commitments, medical conditions or English as a non-native speaker, please elaborate. Please note you may need medical clearance for some medical conditions.
• For more information, see our Essay page (a new window will open).
• Example of an Essay (PDF)

See Further Information For All Applicants for further information.

For All Professional Development Courses

Includes All Spa Therapies, Paramedical Beauty Therapies and Other Professional Development Level Courses

• A current Curriculum Vitae (Diploma in Spa Therapies only) with work experience, school experiences, etc. Please do not submit the originals if you want them back; a good quality copy will suffice.
• If you are known to us and completed your training through us within the last 5 years or so, see below.
• Transcripts of qualifications and past academic endeavours.
• This should be related to the course you are applying for, i.e. Diploma in Massage Therapy qualification for the Certificate in Indian Head Massage (pre-requisite qualification).
• If you are known to us and completed your training through us within the last 5 years or so, see below.
• Written character references (Diploma in Spa Therapies only).
• If you are known to us and completed your training through us within the last 5 years or so, see below.

See Further Information For All Applicants for further information.

For Current NaSA Students and Recent NaSA Graduates

Includes any NaSA student currently attending a course or any recent NaSA graduate

• Updated Curriculum Vitae if you are a recent graduate and have worked or studied in the time between graduating from the school and applying for your secondary course.
• Transcripts of qualifications and past academic endeavours if you have studied in the time between graduating from the school and applying for your secondary course.
• You do not need to submit any further information (unless required by the specific course you are enrolling in).
• You do not need to attend an interview or the interview presentation.
• You must have passed your previous course with us, if this is a requirement for entry into the course you are applying for.
• Once we receive your application and other information (if required), we will issue you with an enrolment form and other information.

See Further Information For All Applicants for further information.

Further Information for All Applicants

When you have submitted all the information as listed above (and provided the school is in the interview & enrolment period), then we will contact you to make an appointment for the presentation and formal interview. These are normally held during office hours.

Students applying for the following courses may not need to attend an interview:

• Certificate in Indian Head Massage
• Certificate in Lymphatic Drainage Massage
• Certificate in Spa Aromatherapy
• Certificate in Spa Reflexology
• Statement of Achivement in Brazilian Waxing
• Statement of Achievement in Red Vein Treatment

When you attend the interview, please bring any originals with you of the information you have submitted. We will review it. Also bring any questions you may have.

Also ensure your appearance (clothes, etc.) is adequate to the situation of an interview.

We keep all this information, so if there is some part of your information you wish to have returned, include a photocopy of it in your submission instead of the original. Submit the original at the interview for us to have a look over. You will be charged for photocopying and staff time if you have submitted your original and need it back.

You have the right to bring someone along to all sections of the interview; however, you must contact us prior to the interview to let us know that person is coming along so we can adjust the space accordingly.

Making a false declaration is an offence under the Crimes Act 1961, so ensure the information you give on the Written Request form, in your submission, and in other documentation is truthful.

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The Interview

We remain committed to educating people serious about beauty therapy, nail technology and spa therapies to be the best beauty therapists, nail technologists and spa therapists they can be. The Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education Commission and New Zealand Qualifications Authority also want us:

• to retain the majority of students attending a qualification and its courses; and
• to ensure those students complete the qualification and its courses; and
• to ensure the majority of those students completing the qualification do so successfully; and
• to encourage graduates to seek and gain employment in the industry.

We have been and remain committed to this vision. The interview process ensures you and other prospective students are to the quality and level we require for entry into our qualifications and further training at the school. If our requirements for interview or the interview process itself seems too hard or too difficult for you, then we believe you should not apply as you probably won't succeed in this industry.

Students applying for the following courses may not need to attend an interview:

• Certificate in Indian Head Massage
• Certificate in Lymphatic Drainage Massage
• Certificate in Spa Aromatherapy
• Certificate in Spa Reflexology
• Statement of Achivement in Brazilian Waxing
• Statement of Achievement in Red Vein Treatment

The three major sections of the interview are:

• The Group Tour. One of us will lead the applicants on a tour around our school. Access to some rooms may be limited if current students are undertaking classes.
• The Group Presentation. During this, we will give you an Information for Applicants packet and give a presentation about various important informational highlights. You will be encouraged to read the packet and comprehend it fully prior to your enrolment.
• The individual interview. At the approximate time listed in your interview letter, we will call you into an office and two or more of us will ask you several questions and look over your application with you. This should take approximately 15 minutes.
• Students who appear to have weak English skills may be given a comprehension test.

You have the right to bring someone along to all sections of the interview; however, you must contact us prior to the interview to let us know that person is coming along, so we can adjust the space accordingly.

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Applicant Numbers

We normally receive between approximately 100 and 120 applications for consideration for our January enrolment of our Diploma in Beauty Therapy and Applied Aesthetics. Through a rigorous interview and selection process, we normally select between 40 and 60 applicants for our January Diploma in Beauty Therapy and Applied Aesthetics qualification.

Why Some Applicants Are Turned Away

The most common reasons why you would fail the interview process are:

• Your presentation is poor. This could be poor presentation of your information or you yourself.
• You do not hold, or do not demonstrate, sufficient education or life skills.
  • If you are under 20, you need to demonstrate educational achievement.
  • If you are over 20, you need to demonstrate educational achievement and / or life skills.
  • Don't tell us; show us proof.
• Your application is not complete. To us, this either demonstrates lack of application, lack of seriousness about the application, or lack of organisation. In turn, we believe your lack of application will continue throughout the course, which is disruptive to others; lack of seriousness acts as a hindrance to students who are serious about this career; and lack of organisation will count against you. Whilst the last type listed (lack of organisation) is less serious, it has hindered applications in the past.
• Your attitude / manner is poor. This is a service sector industry. You need to have an excellent attitude and good manner.
• You never completed a prior interview and / or enrolment. If you were a "no show" for interview, enrolled and then withdrew for reasons other than dramatic or life-changing, or supplied a partial interview requirements or enrolment in the past, we usually consider any application you submit at a later date last or not at all. We keep a register of these people.
• You cannot follow instructions. Following instructions, listening and comprehending are very important traits in this career path. If you cannot / do not follow instructions, don't listen, or don't comprehend, this adversely affects the pace at which your class progresses. In addition, how can you perform treatments to your client's satisfaction when you don't listen or don't comprehend your client's wishes?

There are other reasons as well; however, we wish to give you some insight into why some prospective students are rejected from attending our school. Remember, we start interviewing you from the moment of first contact, whether this is a telephone call for information, an email, or a fax.

Overall, we are looking for reasons to accept you, not to turn you away, so we treat every application and every applicant in context.

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Enrolment Conditions

Enrolment is the process in which you commit yourself to the qualification of study; Completion of the interview neither enrols you in the qualification nor guarantees you a place in the qualification.

In order for us to complete your enrolment, the law requires us to have:

We require the following items for us to grant and confirm your enrolment. For your enrolment to be completed, we require:

1. Your completed enrolment form for the current school year; and
2. As per government requirements, proof of:
1. Your New Zealand citizenship; or
2. Your Australian citizenship; or
3. Your overseas citizenship and New Zealand permanent residency; or
4. Your overseas citizenship and Australian permanent residency; or
5. Your overseas citizenship and a current student visa and permit; or
6. Your overseas citizenship and an acceptable other visa and permit to study with us; and
3. Proof of identity (the photo you submitted earlier should prove this, if signed); and
4. Your full deposit paid (domestic) or your full fees paid (international); and
5. Your completed Application for Student Fee Trust Fund form from Public Trust (where applicable).

• You can send us certified copy of your passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate, or other proof of citizenship and residency (or right to study), or bring in the original for us to sight as proof.
• A driver's license is not proof of domestic residency.
• A certified copy is a photocopy of the original verifying both have been seen, and the copy signed, by a Justice of the Peace, Solicitor or someone who takes a legal oath.
• Absolutely no blank photocopies or photocopies of a certified copy are acceptable; they must bear the signature and stamp of the JP or other approved person.

Provisional Enrolment (International Students)

We may grant you provisional enrolment, meaning you will need to complete further steps in order to be fully enrolled with us, but we are holding a place until you do so.

If you are an international student, you will also need to:

• Provide evidence after provisional enrolment you have a current student visa; and
• Provide evidence once you have arrived in New Zealand you have a current student permit; and
• Provide evidence you have gained adequate travel and medical insurance. This can be made after enrolment but must be made prior to starting the course or travelling to New Zealand.

Additional Enrolment Requirements (International Students)

If you are an international student, there are extra requirements you need to meet prior to starting a course with us. They include, but are not limited to:

• Proving, where English is not your first language, you have the adequate skills in the language through test results, such as IELTS, TOEFL, et cetera (see Entry Requirements for further information on this area); and
• Pay your full fees, not just the deposit, on enrolment; and
• Gaining and continuing to hold approval from the New Zealand Immigration Service to study at the National School of Aesthetics; this would be a valid student visa and permit; and
• Holding adequate and current travel and medical insurance throughout your time studying with us.

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Equal Opportunity Study Statement

We will be fair in all areas of study. We do not discriminate on the basis of colour, creed, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or cultural beliefs. Disability will be considered as long as it does not preclude you from performing your assigned tasks (and thereby qualifying) and does not endanger the health and safety of employees, other students and visitors. We are dedicated to helping students achieve and succeed and have referrals to appropriate support bodies and agencies if required to facilitate this.

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