Makeup Artistry, Prosthetic FX and Wig Making

UCAS code: W453

Here's what University Centre Somerset says about its Makeup Artistry, Prosthetic FX and Wig Making course.

This course is for students wishing to pursue a career as a Makeup Artist in the Film, TV, Theatre or health industries. This course has been designed with input from some of the top Makeup Artists in the industry who regularly work with our students and provide opportunities for placements and jobs. A broad range of areas are taught and the course allows you to specialise in an area to develop more specialist skills later in the course.

Over the first year you will study a broad range of skills within a variety of modules. These are developed and diversified within the second year of the course allowing for individual specialisms to be developed. In the final year, there are no set pathways within the degree, which allows for flexibility to enable you to develop independence within specialisms.

The qualification has been designed in collaboration with industry, ensuring that you will develop the necessary skills and knowledge for employment.

You will have access to excellent resources and facilities with state-of-the-art make-up studios and workshops including 3D resin printers and digital software.

Residential trips may be available: previous trips have been to New York, Los Angeles, Warner Bros, Harry Potter studios, London West End theatre productions and backstage tours such as Les Misérables, Aladdin, Wicked and more.

In addition to our End of Year Degree Show, selected students may have the opportunity to showcase their work at industry events such as IMATS and the Prosthetics Event.

Progression Opportunities On successful completion of this course you will be equipped with a high level of subject practical skills and a portfolio of work. Students often take up employment opportunities within theatre, television and film productions, as well as working with makeup agencies in fashion and editorial. Others have gone on to work within the medical sector, making training appliances, prosthetic limbs and medical wigs.

Previous students have gained employment in places such as English National Opera, Madame Tussauds, Allure Magazine, London Fashion Week and on productions such as Star Wars, Game of Thrones, His Dark Materials and Doctor Who, in addition to self-employment. Students can progress on to postgraduate studies.

Modules are taught with a mixture of in-class lectures, practical sessions, tutorials, industry-based master classes, presentations and workshop skills. Assessment includes practical assessments, written coursework, presentations and creative portfolios. As part of your course you will be required to undertake some work experience. This falls within the Professional Practice module in the first year of the course. Other opportunities that arise are encouraged throughout the course.