Artistic Make Up and Special Effects

UCAS code: W452

Here's what Leicester College says about its Artistic Make Up and Special Effects course.

Secure your career by completing this unique course in artistic make-up and special effects by developing unique skills with up-to-date techniques used in today's industry. Delivered by a team of expert staff and visits from industry guest speakers you will develop both your confidence and employability skills. Previous graduates from this course have been extremely successful within make-up retail and as freelance make-up artists across a broad range of fields including fashion/editorial, theatre, film/television and prosthetics.

This is a two-year university-level programme which provides you with the skills and knowledge needed to secure a career in artistic makeup within the fashion/media and prosthetics industry. As a student on a De Montfort University validated course you can experience all the benefits of student life at university. Our partnership agreement with DMU enables our students to access its facilities whilst studying on this Leicester College undergraduate course, whilst at the same time receiving a high level of one to one and small group teaching and benefitting from having a personal tutor, who can provide support and guidance through tutorials.

This degree is designed to give you experience and skills to contribute to the economic and cultural development of your chosen profession, whilst enhancing your career prospects with a range of skills for your future employability. The course is delivered by a team of expert staff with professional backgrounds which ensures that modules are relevant, up-to-date and informed by the latest thinking and techniques. Effective links with industry allow us to provide current and up-to-date techniques for example fibreglass mould making, polyurethane, silicone and foam latex materials, as well as industry guest speakers from fashion (Illamasqua), theatre and television. Opportunities for various work experience on the course develops confidence and essential employability skills. Creative Arts students can also benefit from having access to an extensive range of facilities within the area and opportunities to collaborate with other students across a range of creative arts pathways, further developing your employability and industry related skills.

The opportunity to apply to a third year top-up to a BA (Hons) in Professional Studies (Creative Industries) is also offered at the college.

Year one modules include the human body, which explores the visual effects of ageing, death and decay. Visual communication includes life drawing, ceramic/sculpting and basic photography. Postiche to include wig making and hair additions. Fashion/editorial hair and makeup techniques cover a variety of genres and periods of history. Specialist make-up includes body painting, bald caps, casualty techniques, theatre and television make up. Historical and contextual understanding looks at the psychology of display. Year two modules include advanced prosthetics which develops mould making techniques, including fibreglass, polyurethane, silicone and foam latex materials. Digital media for make-up industries which includes blogging and online portfolio, historical and cultural hairstyling for film and fashion, contemporary contexts and visual media to explore character development within a theoretical context. Freelance practitioner which investigates employability and freelance business skills. Negotiated study for students to focus on a chosen specialist area which is showcased at the end of the year event. Additional resource costs for individual projects will be charged at cost.

A variety of assessment methods will be employed which include practical assessment in both formative and summative assessment which will include journals to show the development of research, practice and evaluation. You will also be required to complete three essays covering a variety of topics, provide formal presentations, project proposals and write a report on business planning.