Here's what you will need to get a place on the Special Effects Make-Up Artistry course at UCEN Manchester.
Select a qualification to see required grades
64
in a related subject area
UCAS code: W453
Here's what UCEN Manchester says about its Special Effects Make-Up Artistry course.
The course prepares the students to engage and work as artistic practitioners across a broad range of artistic make-up disciplines, this is achieved through a number of modules which explore and engage students in developing an understanding of theoretical and professional practices through the development of critical, analytical and performance based skills. The course structure also encourages innovative ideas in visual imagery, exploring creativity and linking to the needs of the media make-up industry.
The educational focus of the programme involves students building on existing knowledge and skills to enable their professional and academic development, and supports the concept of lifelong learning and continuing professional development. The student will develop a range of transferable skills and independent learning, promoting the development of high standards in communication in preparation for employment or further study
There is a clear work-related element that reflects the need to apply knowledge and skills within the workplace and to make tangible links between theory and practice in the educational sector. This will not only provide students with valuable work-related experience but also greatly enhance their employability on completion of the programme.
Source: UCEN Manchester
Qualification
Foundation Degree in Arts - FdA
Department
HBT (SRI)
Location
City Campus Manchester | Manchester
Duration
2 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Hair and make-up
Start date
September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,175 per year |
| Scotland | £9,175 per year |
| Wales | £9,175 per year |
| Northern Ireland | £9,175 per year |
Examples of current modules-
Year 1 Design Development Introduction to Design Concepts Professional and Academic Development Prosthetic Art Special Effects Character Design Studio Practice
Year 2 Applied Postiche and Hairstyling Collaborative Practice Creative Skills Freelancing Portfolio Development Professional Practice
A range of assessment methods are used and could be in the form of the following:
• Presentations • Practical Assessments • Learning Journal • Portfolios • Written Projects • Work-related employment
You will be required to complete 420 study hours within college and 780 self directed study hours.
You are expected to undertake a minimum 25 hours of work-related learning with the encouragement of engagement in further experience where possible within a relevant area of special effects related industry practice. The workplace provides opportunities for you to achieve direct experience of working as a special Effects Make-Up Artist, engage with future employers, and provides support in establishing a database of industry contacts.
Showing 0 reviews
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
Here you can see ratings from UCEN Manchester students who took the Special Effects Make-Up Artistry course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
94%
high
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
94%
high
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
95%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
98%
high
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
89%
high
Learning opportunities
89%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
86%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
93%
high
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
91%
high
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
91%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
83%
med
Assessment and feedback
85%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
89%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
89%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
89%
high
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
73%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
87%
high
Academic support
91%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
91%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
91%
med
Organisation and management
71%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
75%
med
How well organised is your course?
68%
med
Learning resources
79%
low
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
72%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
83%
low
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
80%
med
Student voice
81%
med
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
72%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
84%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
86%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
77%
med
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
87%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
81%
med
We're still busy gathering student information for Special Effects Make-Up Artistry at UCEN Manchester. Look out for more info soon.
We have no information about graduates who took Special Effects Make-Up Artistry at UCEN Manchester.
Earnings from UCEN Manchester graduates who took Special Effects Make-Up Artistry - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£17.9k
First year after graduation
£23.4k
Third year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Special Effects Make-Up Artistry.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Students are talking about UCEN Manchester on The Student Room.
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