Foundation Degree (FD) Media Make-up, Special Effects & Hair Design
This foundation degree explores the role of the make-up artist for film and television and will see you create an array of looks, from classic elegance to full body prosthetics and SFX. This course will allow for the development of a number of skills, whilst encouraging students to express their own individual identity and creativity.
This foundation degree explores the role of the make-up artist for film and television and will see you create an array of looks, from classic elegance to full body prosthetics and SFX. This course will allow for the development of a number of skills, whilst encouraging students to express their own individual identity and creativity.
The course is taken over the span of two year and it is timetabled over two consecutive days. This structure helps those travelling from further afield to reduce accommodation costs and offers greater flexibility for students balancing employment, family life or caring responsibilities alongside their studies.
UCAS Code: W452
UCAS Institution Code: Y70
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Study Level 5 Creative Hair and Make-up Foundation Degree for a Career in TV, Film, Theatre and Beyond
At York College, part of the York School of Art, our Level 5 Foundation Degree in Media Make-up, Special Effects & Hair Design puts you at the heart of the media industry. Designed to equip you with the technical expertise, academic knowledge and transferable skills demanded by today’s creative sectors, this programme prepares you for a successful career in the fast-growing worlds of theatre, film and TV. Throughout your time with us, you’ll be given an outstanding learning experience, taught directly by experienced specialists in hairdressing, wig making, prosthetics and make-up. This blend of creative disciplines ensures you develop strong, industry-ready practical and creative skills required for real production environments and contemporary professional expectations. You’ll also benefit from our established industry relationships, opening the doors to valuable work experience opportunities.
Special Effects and Media Make-up
We give you the opportunity to explore the world of make-up artistry through hands-on workshops and practical demonstrations. You will develop competency across areas such as:
● Face casting
● Sculpting
● Prosthetic design and application
● Special effects
● Make-up skills
You’ll build the confidence to create everything from subtle casualty looks to full-body prosthetic pieces. These experiences mirror the creative challenges found in professional SFX departments, prosthetic workshops and on-set environments across TV and film, theatre and wider media industries.
Hair Design
In this part of the programme, we support your growth as a versatile and confident hair designer. You will explore a wide range of creative practices, including:
● Bald-cap work and SFX character creation
● media hair design for film, television and theatre
● Hairdressing design techniques on-set and backstage working practices
These skills prepare you to work across diverse areas of the media industry.
How These Skills Lead to a Career in TV, Film and Theatre
Whether you want to work as a make-up artist on set, a prosthetics designer for film and TV productions, or freelancer, no matter what career path you choose, the combination of SFX, prosthetics, creative make-up artistry and professional hair design ensures our graduates are exceptionally well-rounded and industry-ready. This programme opens pathways into careers such as:
● Special Effects (SFX) Make-up Artist
● Freelance Make-up Artist (MUA)
● Prosthetics Artist or Prosthetic Technician
● Hair & Beauty Educator or Lecturer
● Art Department Creative or Assistant Art Director
On completion of this foundation degree, you also have the opportunity to progress onto our BA (Hons) Media Make-up, Special Effects and Hair Design, enabling you to convert your qualification into a full honours degree and further enhance your professional prospects.
| Level 4 | Level 5 |
|---|---|
| Employability Skills | Period Hair and Make-up |
| Make-up Exploration for Varying Effects | Prosthetic Design and Application |
| Continuity for Film and Television | Advanced Make-up Artistry Skills |
| Cutting, Dressing, and Styling Hair for Film and Television | |
| Design, Create and Apply Postiche |
Entry requirements
The entry requirements for this course are 32 UCAS tariff points, a Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject (such as, hair, beauty, art, media make-up) or A Levels. Significant relevant prior learning and experience will also be considered. You might be asked to submit a portfolio of work to support your application.
On receipt of your application, you will be asked to provide a portfolio that demonstrates your ideas and abilities creatively. This may showcase work you have done at school or college, or alternatively, this may capture independently devised projects.
How will I be assessed?
You are assessed on your ability to research and project manage, and these skills are developed at Level 5. The course places a strong emphasis on style and quality of presentation, with the underlying aim of building an industry-quality portfolio to help you progress into further education or industry. This includes collaborating with professional photographers during assessments whenever possible. A range of formative and summative assessment methods will be used that will help to develop your skills and knowledge in preparation for entering the industry.
In the final semester of Level 5, you will be expected to show an awareness of industry standards for the area of the sector in which you aim to work, which must be reflected in the quality of the presentation of your work. You will be required to critically evaluate your work. Assessment practices adopted cover a range of formal and informal activities designed to satisfy the requirements of diagnostic, formative and summative assessment.
Skills you will learn
Throughout the foundation degree, students will develop skills in; interpreting a brief, teamwork, communicating with clients and industry professionals, portfolio development, flexibility and adaptability, working well under pressure, practical creative skills, excellent attention to detail, research skills and marketing for self-employment.
Method of delivery
Our tutors have the experience, expertise and industry contacts to ensure that you are learning the most up-to-date and relevant techniques from the moment your course begins, ensuring that you are fully prepared for your career.
Teaching will take place within both workshop and classroom environments. Tutors teaching on the course have experience in various aspects of the media make-up and hair design sector including special effects and prosthetics for television and film, and make-up and hair design for theatre and fashion. This industry knowledge will enable you to experience many aspects of the industry, enabling you to specialise as you progress. The focus throughout the course will be to provide you with skills and knowledge that are current and relevant to the media make-up sector.
You will be required to work towards industry standards, which will involve collaborating with professionals such as photographers, fashion/costume designers and models. Teaching methods
will include:
● Practical demonstrations
● Learner practical sessions
● Group/peer work projects
● Simulation tasks
● Lectures/seminars
● One-to-one tutorials
● Work experience*
*The College will help you find such work experience through the links they have in the industry.
Additional costs
The Foundation Degree in Media Makeup, special effects and Hair design will include an additional fee element in year 1 to cover the cost of the personal equipment required to study the course to the value of £1,000, increasing the year 1 fee to £8,200. The second year fee will be £7,200.
Further costs for trips and external speakers may be required.
Your next steps
Successful completion of the FD Media Make-up, Special Effects and Hair Design will enable you to enrol on the BA (Hons) Media Make-up, Special Effects and Hair Design (Top-up) course to convert your qualification into a full honours degree. On completion of the course, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge expected to work as a make-up trainee or make-up artist in film, television, theatre and fashion.
Former students have gone on to work in industry in positions including:
• SFX Artist
• Freelance MUA
• Prosthetics Artist/Technician
• Lecturer in Hair & Beauty
• Art Director
Designed With Industry Feedback for Real-World Success
Our foundation degree has been shaped by feedback from industry specialists, creative practitioners and experienced educators. This ensures that every aspect of your learning reflects current professional standards and the expectations of employers in creative media industries. You will learn through a combination of practical workshops, studio sessions and classroom-based study. Our tutors bring real-world experience from film, television, theatre, fashion and prosthetics, giving you direct insight into industry practice.
We place a strong emphasis on developing an industry-quality portfolio throughout your studies. This not only showcases your technical ability but also demonstrates your creative vision, a vital asset when seeking work or further study in competitive creative fields.
Course leaders and tutors:
Sharon specialises in creative project management, period hairdressing and postiche. She has been teaching for 20 years and has work experience within the industry for CBBC, Emmerdale and many independent films, photoshoots and music videos. Sharon’s love is for all things wigs! She has a flair for not only period hairstyling, but also ventilating her own wigs, and she loves the history and researching into period hair and makeups from that time. Sharon is a 'wiggy' enthusiast, working on commissions and larger wig designs, incorporating wig frames and additional hair. The bigger the wig the better: be bold!
Sharon enjoys outsourcing her creativity in numerous ways with a passion for furniture restoration and design.
Emma was trained at Neil Gorton Studios and has excellent knowledge in the use of fibreglass, polyurethane resins and silicone to produce industry-standard prosthetics. Emma has worked at numerous Scareground productions and has a wealth of experience both inside the classroom, as Course Leader for our FD Media Make-up programme, and in the current industry. Emma is always keen to stress the importance of maintaining strong working relationships with individuals across the creative industries to maximise your potential. Emma is currently studying for her Master’s in Education, Leadership and Management.
With over 30 years of experience in beauty therapy and occasion makeup, Tracy has established herself as a highly skilled and creative professional. Her work has been featured in renowned publications such as Femme Rebel and Cherry Bombe, and she was awarded “Best Makeup” in 2023.
In 2019, Tracy returned to her studies in Scotland, where she is based, to specialise in Media Make-up. This passion led her to York College & University Centre n 2021, where she pursued the BA top up in Media Makeup, Special Effects, & Hair Design. Her first film project was released in November 2024, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Inspired by the course and the dedication of her tutors, Tracy decided to transition into teaching. She continued her academic journey by completing a PGCE at York College & University Centre, combining her extensive industry experience with a commitment to educating the next generation of make-up artists.
The Media Make-up, Special Effects & Hair Design department is proud to work with:
The Wig Department
Providers of supplies and tools, a shop run by Wigmakers for Wigmakers.
PAM - Precious about Make-up
Founded by Make up Artists, for Make up Artists. Pam has been sharing pro make up advice and tips for over 20 years.
Neill's Materials
Neill's Materials are the leading UK materials supplier for industry professionals in sectors spanning TV & Film, Teaching & Simulation, Tooling & Composites and beyond.
Dennis Williams
Supplying hair and beauty professionals throughout the UK.
Banbury Postiche
Professional hairdressing and wigmaking materials.
ISOClean
Experts in cosmetic hygiene.
VTCT Level 4 Diploma in Advanced Beauty Therapy
University Centre
Courses for Adults
Curriculum Area
Hair, Beauty & Media Make-up
Study Mode
Part-time
Start Date
September 2026
Duration
35 Weeks
Level
Level 4
VTCT (iTEC) Level 4 Diploma in Advanced Aesthetic Treatments
University Centre
Courses for Adults
Curriculum Area
Hair, Beauty & Media Make-up
Study Mode
Part-time
Start Date
September 2026
Duration
35 Weeks
Level
BA (Hons) Media Make-up, Special Effects & Hair Design (Top-up)
University Centre
Courses for Adults
York School of Art
Curriculum Area
Hair, Beauty & Media Make-up
Study Mode
Full-time
Start Date
September 2026
Duration
1 Year (2 days per week)
Level
Level 6
