International Students Overview

Background – Who are we?

Welcome to the New Zealand College of Massage, New Zealand’s leading Massage Therapy Tertiary Provider. The balance and integration of mind and hands is central to all our courses, backed by our wonderful teaching team. The College draws upon a very large pool of top clinical therapists to provide current and relevant education.

Our team commitment to excellence in teaching and an integrated approach to wellness links with a successful combination of up-to-date evidence based practice, quality of touch, and attention to the therapeutic relationship.

Massage is a dynamic and growing health modality both nationally and internationally. Research has verified the benefits of massage, sports massage, neuromuscular therapy, and other forms of hands-on therapies. More people are discussing massage with their doctors and other health care providers than ever before, and more health care professionals are recommending massage therapy as part of a patient’s overall health. We offer you the widest specialist range of clinical massage teachers in Australasia.

With warm regards to you all from the New Zealand College of Massage Team.

NZCM Mission

The primary objective of the New Zealand College of Massage is to provide the highest quality education in a range of bodywork therapies.

Programmes at Certificate, Diploma and Degree level blend current scientific research and industry interface, traditional healing pathways and NZQA standards.

By studying with NZCM you will receive a nationally recognised qualification in Massage Therapy.

Our comprehensive programmes are designed for, but not limited to, those seeking training and a qualification to practice massage on a professional basis.

NZCM Qualifications

• New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5)
• Diploma in Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy (Level 6)

We are a NZQA registered and accredited provider of tertiary qualifications.

Our Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch Campuses offer a broad range of qualifications relevant to the Massage Therapy industry along with experienced knowledgeable teaching staff who are still working within the industry, which means our students receive the most industry-relevant and currently practiced therapeutic learning. 

From full tertiary qualifications and continual education courses, to short interest courses – we're opening doors for our graduates and enhancing career opportunities.

Career Opportunities

Relaxation Massage

• Work within the spa industry
• Workplace, On-site, corporates
• Hotel industry and health centres
• Ski-fields, gymnasiums, cruise ships
• Spa, resorts and relaxation centres

Therapeutic / Sports Massage

• Working alongside other professionals in physiotherapy, acupuncture, osteopathy or medical centres
• Spas, resorts, hotels
• On-site corporate, rest homes
• Rehabilitation centres
• Sports teams / athletes

Entry Criteria

For all NZCM programmes: Be over 18 years of age with physical and mental fitness

Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage: Academic IELTS 5.5 with no band score lower than 5.0*, or TOEFL550 with an essay score of 5 TWE

Diploma in Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy: Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5*, or TOEFL550 with an essay score of 5 TWE

Bachelor of Health Studies - Neuromuscular Therapy (Level 7): Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score lower than 6.0*, or TOEFL550 with an essay score of 5 TWE

* Other English Tests / evidence may be approved as advised by NZQA

If you have any queries regarding entry criteria or any other questions, then please contact us.

How to Apply

You can manage the entire enrolment process online by visiting Enroller, our online application portal.

As soon as you receive a unconditional offer of place of study at NZCM and/or a fee receipt you should apply for a student visa through the nearest New Zealand High Commission, Embassy, Consulate, or Trade New Zealand office with New Zealand Immigration Service facilities. For details of student visa application and the locations of places you can apply to please visit www.immigration.govt.nz. New Zealand College of Massage has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Copies of the Code are available on request from this institution or from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority – website at www.nzqa.govt.nz.

You can find a copy of our EER report here.

International Student Policy

Download our International Student Policy here.

Code of Practice 

NZCM has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Minister of Education. Copies of the Code are available on request from this institution or from the New Zealand Ministry of Education website.

Translations are available in Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Thai, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Russian and Spanish.

Visit the Immigration New Zealand website for more information. 

International Payments

Flywire is a safe and convenient way to make international payments. Depending on your location, payment options can include local bank transfer (telegraphic transfer), credit card, e-payments, e-wallets, and more. Receive email/SMS text alerts updating you on the status of your payment, or track the progress of your payment online or in Flywire’s app. If you need help to complete your payment, contact flywire.com/support

To make a payment, go to http://upcolleges.flywire.com/, enter your payment amount and country of origin. Then select your payment method.

Sonder Student Safety app

We have partnered with Sonder, a 24/7 personal safety and wellbeing service, to support all our international students. The Sonder app is for personal devices and has a number of features, like “Track My Journey” and “Check On Me”, that will help students live and study in New Zealand with confidence - if you are walking alone at night, going on a first date, or meeting up with a stranger to buy or sell goods, for example.

Additionally, if you are feeling stressed, anxious, lonely, or simply don't know who to turn to, you can speak to Sonder’s multilingual support team anytime via live chat or phone, and they can even send in-person assistance if you need it.

You will receive an activation email or text shortly before orientation. If you don't get your email or text, you will be given a code to use at orientation.