Course summary

The course develops diverse skills in the world of make-up and hair to produce flexible, creative make-up artists able to work in a variety of areas of the industry, from special effects to fashion and from live events to film, TV and stage productions. This course prepares you for a career as a make-up artist in television, film, theatre, prosthetics, advertising and fashion, with a special focus on creating convincing and realistic special effects. It gives you the techniques, craft skills and specialist knowledge employers are looking for. You learn to research and realise characters through hair and wig setting; postiche; costume; prop design; prosthetics; and designing effects make-up. You benefit from working within our high-spec media facilities alongside student actors, producers, scriptwriters and presenters as well as collaborating with local theatres, TV productions and performances at the University’s professional theatre. Why choose this course?

• Explore character creation with an emphasis on prosthetics and special-effects make-up as well as high fashion, advertising/editorial and period make-up

• Practise drawing from life to identify the body’s reactions and their visual impact

• Learn how anatomy and physiology affect make-up design

• Gain specialist knowledge and expertise in preparing performers for the stage, catwalk or screen

• Study relevant regulations and develop the entrepreneurial skills to establish yourself as a freelance make-up artist

• Develop academic skills to undertake research into the field of make-up which you can then use to create your characters

• Build up your portfolio and prepare for freelance work in performing arts, events, and the media, TV and film industries

• You can progress to BA (Hons) Media Performance for Film, TV and Theatre on completing this Foundation Degree

• Work experience with professional experts and companies