Theatrical Make-up

This 2 year higher education course gives you the skills needed to play a key creative role in performance, fashion, film or television. The make-up artist is an important member of any production team and you’ll work with students studying acting, film production, costume and fashion to create ‘live’ collaborative projects.

From period hair and make-up to editorial imagery and prosthetics, you will gain all the skills you need in this competitive industry.

You will develop a range of specialist technical skills and assist in creating hair and make-up styles for different periods in history, this will include wig making and wig dressing. You will also develop your skills in making and applying prosthetics ensuring that they are suitable for a ‘live’ performance.

As well as exploring fashion and catwalk make-up, we will also teach you to develop the skills required for you to set up and run your own freelance business.

As a make-up artist it is important to be able to show your work through professional photographs, for this reason we have included basic photography into the course exploring all of the basic principles of photography including different lighting conditions and basic editing.

You will create a professional portfolio of work that will showcase your technical abilities to future employers. The course will also demonstrate your commitment, reliability and timekeeping skills – and your ability to evaluate your work and train your eye to pick up detail.

The direction your work takes is led by individual interests and aspirations in a learning environment where you are encouraged to push the boundaries of your creative practice whilst maintaining professional focus and currency.

This course aims to:

Develop your general ability in Fashion, Film, TV and Media makeup through effectively using and combining knowledge and skills gained in different parts of the programme.

Provide specialist studies in Specialist Makeup, hair and wig applications.

Provide enhanced tutorial support to help develop your educational and vocational abilities, and the personal qualities and attitudes required to adapt to the demands of an ever changing industry.

Provide the foundation for a range of technical and creative careers in Specialist Makeup

Progression Opportunities After successful completion of this 2-year course, graduates can apply to do a Level 6 top up course on a BA (Hons) Degree or go into employment working in TV, Film, Theatre, Editorial, Photographic studios, Retail, Corporate Events or as a Freelance Make-up Artist.