New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5)

About the programme

Develop the skills and understanding needed to provide massage and support clients to improve their wellness.

Learn about anatomy and physiology, relaxation and therapeutic massage, stress management and wellness promotion methods. In a supervised classroom setting, you'll both conduct and receive massage to help enhance your understanding of the massage process. Gain hands-on experience in our massage clinic as you put your skills into practice with real clients. 

Our massage programme is highly regarded within the South Island massage industry and we enjoy an excellent relationship with Massage New Zealand (MNZ). MNZ is the only massage therapy-specific membership body in New Zealand and you’ll be able to apply for registration with MNZ when you successfully complete this programme.  

Graduates may operate their own massage therapy business, or may find employment within the spa industry. Alternatively, you can progress into the second year of our Bachelor of Applied Sciencewhere you can further your studies in massage and health, expand your skill set into rehabilitation (remedial) massage and increase your employment options.

Entry

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

• NCEA Level 2 with 10 Literacy and 10 Numeracy credits, or
• A relevant qualification at NZQF Level 3 or above, or
• A recognised equivalent.
• If you're over 20 and do not meet the entry requirements, you are eligible for special admission, and we'll work through that with you.
• If you're under 20 and do not meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for discretionary admission, and we'll work through that with you.

English Language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes. 

Additional requirements

You must:

• provide a health/general abilities declaration to ensure you are able to achieve practice competencies in this programme. We may need to work with you and ask for further reports.
• provide a declaration of all existing or pending criminal convictions.
• consent to undergo a Police Check
  • a prior conviction may not necessarily exclude you from getting into the programme
  • if you do have a prior conviction, we'll have a chat with you about the implications for enrolment, programme completion and subsequent employment as a Massage Therapist
  • information gathered regarding offences may be shared with a host organisation for the purposes of your practical placement(s)
  • you may need to attend an interview, or we may ask you for referee checks, as part of the above
  • any unsatisfactory result arising from any of the above may result in you being declined entry to the programme.

Selection process

This programme is subject to maximum numbers. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places, a ranking criteria will apply. This will be based on academic achievement and you may be asked to write 200 words on why you wish to study this programme.

Part-time study

Please note that our part-time option is only available to domestic students.