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

• Full level 3 qualification

• If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent.

• We strongly recommend that all applicants have GCSE English Language and Mathematics grades A*-C or level 9-4.

Applicants are 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.

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.

UCEN Manchester is unable to consider international applications due to UKVI regulations.

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)

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.

There are two main costs you will have whilst studying and if you are a home student studying on a full-time course, you can apply for student finance to cover both of these:

 Your tuition fees for each year of your course.
 Help with your living costs e.g. rent, food, clothing, course materials, entertainment.

You can find more details, including the actual tuition fee charged on our Fees, Funding and Finance Page.

You are required to buy or have the equivalent kits; airbrush, Special Effects Make-up, Hair, brushes, sculpting tools
(Order forms for kits are given to students within welcome packs prior to September, prices for these items vary each year, estimated cost of these items is around £600).