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Make-Up and Hair Design Futures - Part Time at Solent University (Southampton) - UCAS

Course summary

Explore the rapidly evolving field of designing for future bodies, beauty cultures and creature design using speculative design strategies and augmented realities on this fascinating master’s programme. This course intends to produce designers and artists who aspire to be at the forefront of this new discipline. The programme of study supports creative investigations enabling you to enter critical dialogue, contributing original insights to the world of beauty ideals; the grotesque, gender politics, creature design and the changing face of body identity. Based in our industry standard make-up, hair and prosthetics studios, you will work with both practice and theory, and be presented with the principles of speculative and critical design for future bodies using make-up, hair and prosthetics. Each scenario will allow you to explore the key themes of future focused thinking surrounding the dynamics shaping the body of tomorrow. By showing alternative futures are possible, you will learn how to prototype and demonstrate complex design and application concepts. You will explore and develop creative application skills to generate an enhanced research and design proposal through envisioning new futures. Based on sub-cultures, cutting edge experiences, speculative design projects, biotechnology and even science fiction, your outcomes can materialise through studies, magazines, artefacts, film, digital and online platforms, objects and performances – culminating in an end of year postgraduate showcase. Thanks to the course team’s close links with industry, you’ll benefit from a range of guest lectures from across the contemporary design landscape, with representatives from fashion, film, media, beauty and other creative industries. Recent speakers have included Terry Barber - MAC’s Director of Makeup Artistry, Pablo Rodriguez - Illamasqua’s Director of Make-up Artistry, Burton Nitta – Interdisciplinary Design Studio, Helen Casey – Deputy Head of Wigs, National Theatre, and Neill Gorton Studios. You will also be encouraged to create industry collaborations and take up work placements throughout your studies, and will have opportunities to apply to work with our professional make-up teams at events such as London Fashion Week, Graduate Fashion Week and a range of TV, film and theatre productions. This course is for: An undergraduate degree, or industry experience in make-up and hair design would be a technical advantage but your design thinking is more important, applications will be considered from individuals with diverse backgrounds. Through the consideration of the environment, changing social needs, science, politics, sub-cultures, avant-garde experimentations and the dynamics of change regarding the body, these insights will inform design scenarios and research led speculations for the beauty, fashion, film and speculative design industries. There is also a strong emphasis on learning through making and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Modules

Core modules

  • Beauty Technologies and Corporeal Sensations
In this module you will explore how multi-dimensional lifestyles signalled by the digital (URL) and the physical (IRL), technological innovation and scientific advances are creating new planes for self-expression for tomorrow’s beauty and corporeal ideals.
  • Performing the Body
In this module the body will operate as a subject, situation and material. You will explore the performance of the body as a physical material, cultural space and social interface. Core modules
  • Researching Visual Culture
Researching visual culture means researching visual forms and media as expressive of aspects of a culture: anything that is seen, that is produced to be seen, and the way it is seen and understood.
  • Speculative Fictions and Design Futures
In this module you will investigate a range of colour cosmetic, prosthetic and hair tech application strategies, disruptive innovations, speculative projects and science fiction imaginaries.
  • Master's Project or Master's Dissertation
The Master’s Project is where students will design, execute and present an individually demanding piece of work that deploys a systematic and in-depth understanding of the skills and debates relevant to their particular discipline of study.


How to apply

International applicants

Please note that we are unable to sponsor international students who require a Student Route Visa on part-time courses due to UKVI regulations.

Entry requirements

• An honours degree at 2:2 or higher. • Applicants will be required to submit a digital mini portfolio providing evidence of artistic aptitude and potential; this will form an important part of the selection process. Language Requirements Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are: • IELTS minimum 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component • TOEFL IBT 92 with a minimum of 22 in writing and a minimum of 20 in reading, listening and speaking • Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 100 in each component or equivalent. Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £4250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £4250 Year 1
Scotland £4250 Year 1
Wales £4250 Year 1
Channel Islands £4250 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact [email protected]. The 2024/25 other costs are: Optional trips: £250-£1,000 (various)

Sponsorship information

Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.

Make-Up and Hair Design Futures - Part Time at Solent University (Southampton) - UCAS