Special Effects Make-up Artistry

Supported by industry experience, our staff are all exceptionally dedicated to their subject related field, highly qualified and industry trained.

The Special Effects Make-up Artistry team are all industry-based practitioners, using their industry contacts to present high profile work experience opportunities and placements to students like you.

• 64 UCAS Tariff Points

• If you’ve completed the University Preparatory Year – Make-up Artistry you’ll be offered direct entry on to the FdA.

You’ll be invited to attend an interview where you’ll be asked to provide examples of written work, a portfolio of images demonstrating your skills within make-up / hair, or provide examples of designs work/illustrations. You will also hear more about the course structure, see the facilities and meet the staff, with the whole process taking between 2-3 hours.

There is availability for Skype interviews for overseas/applicants who have to travel; links to e-portfolios and written work will be submitted electronically prior to the Skype Interview.

Mature applicants (aged 21 or over) who are able to demonstrate relevant skills or knowledge gained in employment or vocational activity will be considered and may be invited to interview.

Year 1: Creative Skills (20 credits)


Year 1: Design Development (20 credits)


Year 1: Introduction to Design Concepts (20 credits)


Year 1: Professional and Academic Development (20 credits)
Complete your own contextual study, learning independently, building your own personal skills and enhancing your communication abilities.

Year 1: Prosthetic Art (20 credits)
Examine the theoretical and basic practices needed to compose a prosthetic characterisation, and experiment constructing a variety of detailed moulds with a range of materials to create and attach prosthetics.

Year 1: Special Effects Character Design (20 credits)
Develop the basic principles for producing special effects make-up, generating special effects characterisations, and building your knowledge of the special effects media industr

Year 1: Studio Practice (20 credits)


Year 2: Applied Postiche/Hairstyling (20 credits)


Year 2: Collaborative Practice (20 credits)


Year 2: Freelancing (20 credits)


Year 2: Portfolio Development (20 credits)


Year 2: Professional Practice (20 credits)

Bedford, D. and Wilson, E. (2006) Study Skills for Foundation Degrees

Burns, T. and Sinfield, S. (2002) Essential Study Skills: The Complete Guide to Success at University

Cottrell, S (2008) The Study Skills Handbook

Cottrell, S. (2003) Skills for Success: The Personal Development Planning Handbook

Debreceni.T. (2008) Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen: Making and Applying Prosthetics

Debreceni.T. (2009) Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen, Making and Applying Prosthetics

Conceptual Creations by Japanese Makeup Artists- (2006) A Complete Guide to Special Effects Makeup

Duncan.J. (2006) The Winston Effect The Art And History Of Stan Winston Studio

Thompson.P. (2005) Make-up Designory’s Character Make-Up Text Book

Morawetz.T. (2001) Making Faces Playing God

Richard.R.(2006) Designing Movie Creatures and Characters

Hamilton.J. (1998) Special Effects: In Film and Television

Mark Salisbury (1994) Behind the Mask, Secrets of Hollywood’s Monster Makers

Bacon.M. (1997) No Strings Attached: The Inside Story of Jim Hensons Creature Shop / Matt Bacon

Kirkland.D. (1983) Michael Jackson: The Making of "Thriller"

Mallory.M. (2009) Universal Studios Monsters: A Legacy of Horror

You’ll be assessed via a range of methods that could include:

• 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.

After high profile placement and work experience opportunities, follow in the footsteps of our former students, and pursue a successful, rewarding career with a wealth of meaningful contacts.

You could work:

• As a freelance Make-up Artist with your own business, providing bridal hair & make-up, or TV & Film hair & make-up.
• With an agency like boss or photography studio like Mike Turner
• For high profile companies like Airbase, Wigs up North, Kryolan.
• On big productions like ‘The Kings Speech’, ‘Captain America’, ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘The Lion King’
• Or continue your studies to gain a PGDip and become a practitioner for private make-up schools or colleges

Learn more

You are required to buy or have the equivalent kits; airbrush (£50), Special Effects Make-up (£350), Hair (£200), brushes (£100), sculpting tools (£30)
(Order forms for kits are given to students within welcome packs prior to September).