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Makeup Artistry, Prosthetic FX and Wig Making Foundation Degree

University Centre Somerset - Bridgwater & Taunton College

UCAS Code: W452 | Foundation Degree - FD

University Centre Somerset - Bridgwater & Taunton College

UCAS Code: W452 | Foundation Degree - FD

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff

64

from a relevant full level 3 qualification

You may also need to…

Attend an interview

groups

Present a portfolio

image

About this course

Course option

2years

Full-time | 2025

Subject

Hair and make-up

Would you like to be a professional make-up artist, working on TV productions such as Game of Thrones and Doctor Who or on blockbuster films such as Star Wars and the Marvel series? Perhaps you see yourself working for companies such as Madame Tussauds or The English National Opera? That’s exactly what some of our graduates have gone on to achieve, and with this course under your belt, there’s every chance for you to follow suit.

This unique programme will give you:
• An in-depth understanding of the media makeup industry
• Insight into the role of makeup artists in relation to stage, TV and film, fashion editorial and promotional shoots
• The skills and creative flair to use makeup to express emotions, transform faces and portray character
• The technical and artistic skills for complete makeup transformations
• The research skills required to ensure the quality and accuracy of character portrayal
• Skills in the art of hair work, character development, body painting, postiche, wig-making and prosthetics
• A comprehensive portfolio of work to show prospective employers
• The opportunity to undertake work-based learning and live projects in the media world.

**Progression Opportunities**
Once the Foundation Degree has been completed, students can apply to the BA (Hons) Makeup Artistry, Prosthetic FX and Wig Making Top-up available at UCS.

**Career Progression**
Because this course equips you with high-level practical skills, there is every chance of securing work upon graduation. Our students take up roles within theatre, television and film production companies, 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.

Assessment methods

Our specialist staff have extensive knowledge of the industry, along with the experience and expertise to guide you as you develop your skill set. The programme is modular in design, and assessment is continuous by means of coursework. You will complete written assignments, journals and design presentations, as well as undertaking regular practical projects. You will also attend lectures and workshops and develop your research skills throughout the course.

The Uni

Course location:

Taunton Campus

Department:

Creative Arts

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What students say

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After graduation

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Hair and make-up

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£20,000
low
Average annual salary
90%
high
Employed or in further education
55%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Hair and make-up

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£15k

£15k

£17k

£17k

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.

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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