Course summary
The field of designing for future bodies is rapidly evolving - explore beauty cultures and creature design using speculative design strategies and augmented realities. 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. MA Make-up and Hair Design Futures student, Annistasia Chandler recently shared her experience of studying a master's while juggling parenting, and told us of her plans after finishing the course. Read her story on our website. 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
- Speculative Fictions and Design Futures
- Performing the Body
- Researching Visual Culture
- Master's Project or Master's Dissertation
How to apply
International applicants
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office. We strongly advise all applicants to check the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to visit our website to see the relevant information that outlines both Solent University and Home Office requirements for a number of language tests.
Entry requirements
• An honours degree at 2:2 or higher • Applicants will be required to submit a digital mini portfolio 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 | £9125 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9125 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9125 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9125 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9125 | Year 1 |
EU | £17780 | Year 1 |
International | £17780 | 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
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.
Provider information
Southampton, Solent University
East Park Terrace
Southampton
SO14 0YN