News and insights

UCB Hair and Beauty students are Schwarzkopf Dream Makers

University College Birmingham is working with Schwarzkopf to give nine students the opportunity to work alongside top stylists in the Schwarzkopf salon in London next year.

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100% pass rate for Beauty Therapy

Beauty Therapy students are celebrating their success after every one of them passed their assessment on beauty treatments.

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Gemma is Professional Beauty Awards finalist

UCB Theatrical & Media Make-Up lecturer Gemma Richmond is a finalist in the Professional Beauty Awards 2015 for Make-Up Specialist of the Year.

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Beauty vlogger Adriana tipped for YouTube stardom

Just four years ago, Adriana Braje was posting videos of her beauty tips to a handful of online subscribers – all filmed from her home in Croatia.

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Graduate Darcy’s collagen-boosting brand takes beauty world by storm

A go-getting graduate from University College Birmingham is providing a critical ingredient in a brand that is taking the beauty world by storm.

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Ex-student who received surprise visit from teenage Beyoncé opens Birmingham salon

A former hair and beauty student from University College Birmingham who was lucky enough to meet a teenage Beyoncé has defied the challenges of Covid-19 to open her own salon in the heart of the UK’s second city – despite…

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Special Hair and Media Makeup students can meet the experts

Specialist Hair and Media Make-up students can find out about exciting career opportunities at a special employability day on Friday, February 17.

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Meet the experts at Specialist Hair and Media Make-up Employability Day!

Top professionals from the world of hair and make-up will be coming to meet University College Birmingham students at an employability event next week.

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Unflappable! Make-up and hair students to glam up Great Gatsby extravaganza

Make-up and hair students from UCB have been selected to bring the glitz and glamour of the Roaring Twenties to a Great Gatsby 'pop-up party' at Birmingham's O2 Institute.

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Specialist Hair and Media Make-up students showcase their skills!

Second year students in Specialist Hair and Media Make-up have been working towards their final exam for their Advanced Prosthetics and Casting module. The themes were Grimm's Fairytales and Planetary Evolution.

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Specialist Hair and Media Make-up graduate working on new Disney film

A Specialist Hair and Make-up graduate who became a TV star for the incredible skills she honed on her degree is now working on a new Disney film.

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Specialist Hair and Media Make-up newsletter: UCB Creative

We are excited to let you know about various activities, projects, talks and events that you can get involved with as a University College Birmingham alumni.

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Specialist Hair and Media Make-up newsletter: Issue 3

We are excited to let you know about various activities, projects, talks and events that you can get involved with as a University College Birmingham alumni.

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Specialist Hair and Media Make-up newsletter: Issue 2

We are excited to let you know about various activities, projects, talks and events that you can get involved with as a University College Birmingham alumni.

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Specialist Hair and Media Make-up newsletter: Issue 4

Make-up in Manhattan graduate Kari jets to New York, Stuart John Conran interview, new GTA's and REP Gala Summer Placement.

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That's show business: hair and make-up students team up on glitzy awards show

Dozens of students from UCB's range of hair and make-up courses have pulled off a major show in Birmingham celebrating up-and-coming fashion designers from across the region.

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Budding beauty students breeze through Saturday Academy

Dozens of Year 11 students have graduated with flying colours from a Saturday Academy devoted to all things hair and make-up at UCB.

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Beauty students attend Dermalogica Privilege Day

Level 2 and 3 Beauty Therapy students spent a day at a Dermalogica salon honing their techniques and treatments in a professional environment.

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University beauty therapy trio star at top spa

Three talented beauty therapist students were invited on a week’s placement at a luxury spa after impressing bosses with their industry skills.

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Wonder Woman body art to beautiful bridal hair - UCB wins big at National Make-up Awards

Budding hair and make-up artists from University College Birmingham have scooped a huge haul of awards at a national industry competition.

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Celebrity hair and make-up artist assisted by UCB students on hit BBC comedy

Celebrity hair and make-up artist Alyn Waterman was assisted by UCB students on a new hit BBC comedy, he has revealed ahead of his guest appearance at this week’s college open day.

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New studios for specialist hair and media make-up students at Summer Row

Specialist Hair and Media Make-up degree students are getting creative in their own dedicated studios in Summer Row. As part of UCB’s policy to upgrade and enhance teaching facilities, two fully-functional studios have been opened.

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Queens and zombies bag string of awards for UCB at national hair and make-up competition

Zombies, queens and mummies were among the stunning creations produced by budding hair and make-up artists from University College Birmingham as they bagged a string of awards at a national competition.

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Specialist Hair and Media Make-up students collaborate for AW 18/19 fashion lookbook

This week saw a selection of our Specialist Hair and Media Make-up students working alongside the up and coming ethical and ecological clothing brand Positive Outlook Clothing. As part of the SHMM team’s fashion links, and after a strict round…

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Adapting to digital to engage make-up students leads to virtual learning award

The University has won the Library Teaching and Learning Award from education provider Talis

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All aboard the Ruby Princess

Six students from Further Education Hair and Beauty courses recently travelled to Southampton docks to visit the spa facilities on board the cruise ship Ruby Princess.

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Family fortunes! Mum and daughter hairdressing duo amongst winners of glossy photoshoot

Nine top students on UCB's Hair and Beauty programmes, including mother and daughter Jo and Shayla Ullah, descended on UCB's studios last week for a professional photo shoot using an exclusive new line of high-end Schwarzkopf hair products.

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Schwarzkopf Dream Makers award a day to remember

Top students from across Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Theatrical Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up courses have been named Schwarzkopf Dream Makers in a trailblazing award scheme put together by UCB and the leading haircare brand.

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Gemma is National Make-up Artists winner

UCB staff member Gemma Richmond scooped a clutch of prizes at the NEC Beauty UK Show.

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Red carpet beckons for award-winning make-up artist

Student make-up artist Stephanie Harrison scooped a double award at one of the country’s top shows for beauty professionals.

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Students turn Medical Aircrew into belles of the ball

UCB students have stepped in as fairy godmothers for Midlands Air Ambulance's aircrew by giving them a glamorous makeover in order to promote their charity ball.

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Business Enterprise student Taylor combines studying with stardom

UCB Business Enterprise student Taylor Francis has built a highly successful fashion and beauty blog, attracting attention and sponsorship from some of the UK’s biggest brands.

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hired@UCB recruitment fair a resounding success

hired@UCB held its annual recruitment fair in McIntyre House so students could talk to a range of employers about their future careers, part-time work opportunities, placements and internships.

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Students flock to ITT:Future You conference and careers fair

Over 120 savvy students of The Business School at UCB have had their horizons broadened at the ITT Future You: On the Road conference and employability fair at the University.

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Media Make-up student becomes Worcester royalty

FdA Specialist Hair and Media Make-up student Fern Tilley used her artistic talents to transform herself into Her Majesty the Queen for a charity fundraiser.

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Chef Goldsmith serves up at the Birmingham Independent Food Fair

UCB had a presence at the Birmingham Independent Food Fair, offering the public the chance to taste and discover the city’s finest local food and drink.

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Project Runway: Level 3 students pull off sensational end-of-year fashion show

Level 3 Hospitality with Events and Theatrical Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up students put on a night to remember this month in an end-of-year creative showcase with a difference.

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Elouise and Natasha are Dermalogica Students of the Year

Two UCB Beauty students were named Student of the Year by Dermalogica for their outstanding work and commitment in all areas of their studies.

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Super Steph to star in BBC talent show to find nation's best make-up artist

A super-talented and multi-award winning UCB Specialist Hair and Media Make-up student is to star in a new BBC talent show fronted by Stacey Dooley MBE.

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World of opportunities for students at biggest careers fair in University's history

No fewer than 80 employers – including the NHS, an award-winning national construction company and a kids’ football coaching enterprise – came to tap into new industry talent at the biggest careers fair in University College Birmingham’s history.

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Nicole is contestant in Miss England Heat 2015

Specialist Hair and Media Make-Up student Nicole Taylor is heading to the Miss England Heat next year after winning two awards in the Miss Shropshire Heat.

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Made-up! Kris clinches third work placement.

Kris Delaney, BA (Hons) Specialist Hair and Media Make-up student, is absolutely made up after clinching her third work placement with an industry professional since starting at UCB.

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Media Make-up students are "In a World of Our Own"

Specialist Hair and Media Make-up students held a creative showcase at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, to demonstrate their skills to a live audience.

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Myth and magic created by Media Make-up

Mythical beasts and creatures of culture came to UCB as Specialist Hair and Media Make-up staged showcases to demonstrate their skills with prosthetics.

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Blog | Black History Month Spotlight – Celebrating Ruth Bizirhi

Our next spotlight this Black History Month is on Ruth Bizirhi, an alumni of the Department of Creative Services and the first cohort of the Creative Futures Incubator. Since graduating, Ruth has turned her lifelong passion for hair and make-up…

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Student make-up blogger to share business adventure after launching cruelty-free cosmetics brand

A University College Birmingham student is planning to share her experiences of what it's like to run a business after starting up her own beauty brand.

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The circus comes to UCB

Specialist Hair & Media Make-up students turned an open day into a circus as part of a creative showcase module.

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Gemma is Make-Up Artist of the Year

UCB lecturer Gemma Richmond has been named Make-Up Artist of the Year by the British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC).

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Double take! Make-up student turns sister into their grandma

Alveena Ghafar's family had to do a double take after the UCB Specialist Hair and Media Make-up student turned her 21-year-old sister into their grandma.

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Students' special effects skills called on for anti-terrorism exercise

Twenty Specialist Hair and Media Make-up students from UCB were called on to create 'injuries' for an anti-terrorism drill in central Birmingham this week.

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Students give first-aid challenge a realistic edge

Specialist Hair and Media Make-up students gave a splash of grisly reality to an exercise in delivering emergency first-aid.

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Creature creations come to life

Fantastic creations and nightmarish creatures invaded UCB as Specialist Hair and Media Make-up students held exhibitions to showcase their prosthetics techniques.

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Media make-up students get presenters ready for their close-up

Students on the Specialist Hair and Media Make-up course have been getting TV presenters ready for the cameras on the set of VIP Birmingham.

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Working on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - placement power at UCB

A flying car, a child catcher and a character called Truly Scrumptious – all in a day’s placement for our Specialist Hair and Media Make-up degree students.

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Former BBC wig makers will give Safiyyah a masterclass

Persistence has paid off for one lucky Specialist Hair and Media Make-up student as she prepares to start a placement working with two of the country's best known wig makers.

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Charlotte Tilbury talks to make-up students

A group of Hair and Media Make-up and Special Effects students got to meet famous international make-up artist and consultant Charlotte Tilbury in Selfridges, Birmingham.

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Monica styles for high-fashion couture brand Nancy Vuu

FdA Specialist Hair and Media Make-up student Monica Montalvo has gained valuable industry experience by working at Nancy Vuu – a luxury couture brand for children and teenagers.

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Theatrical Make-up students showcase their style

Level 3 Theatrical Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up students gave models a make-over and wowed the audience at a recent fashion show.

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UCB students deemed "indispensable" to major police training programme

A group of Specialist Hair and Media Make-up, Make-up Specialist and Theatrical Hair and Media Make-up students have played a crucial role creating life-like injuries in the training of over 600 West Midlands Police Firearms Unit members. The most recent…

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UCB recognised as a College of Excellence by Ragdale Hall

UCB has been acknowledged as a College of Excellence by luxury spa Ragdale Hall.  To be granted this title, the university had to meet a wide range of criteria that included having high institutional standards, establish a good professional relationship…

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Fashion show puts UCB amongst the stars

Over 60 Theatrical Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up students have pulled out all the stops with their glittering end-of-year show ‘An Evening with the Stars’.

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Sophie's on set for The War of the Worlds

FdA Specialist Hair & Media Make-Up student Sophie Sheridan gained some great paid industry experience by working on Jeff Wayne's popular musical of HG Wells' 'The War of the Worlds'.

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SHMM GTA lands tour with "worldwide phenomenon" Dirty Dancing stage show

Hannah Forbes first came to UCB as a Level 2 student in 2009, before eventually progressing onto a degree in Specialist Hair & Media Make-up and finally becoming a Graduate Teaching Assistant with the University.

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Marion makes backstage theatre crew thanks to hired@UCB

A former specialist hair and media make-up student has been invited to join the backstage crew at two theatres following successful placements set up by UCB's employability service.

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Theatrical Make-up leave UCB for Hogwarts

Theatrical Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up students swapped their make-up brushes for magic wands for their visit to Warner Brothers Studio’s The Making of Harry Potter Tour.

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There's no business like show business at SHMM's Employability Day

UCB’s Specialist Hair and Media Make-up course has drawn experts from across the country to deliver demonstrations, workshops, and trade secrets in a day-long event devoted to employability in the make-up and special FX industries.

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Students Celebrate Competition Success

UCB hairdressing and Theatrical Special Effects Hair and Media Make-up students travelled to the Winter Gardens in Blackpool to compete in the UK trainee finals of the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT).

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Make-up students to create ‘injuries’ for virtual reality sports therapy lessons

Undergraduates training to be specialist hair and media make-up artists at University College Birmingham will be helping sports therapy students gain their degrees by creating life-like injuries for virtual reality lessons filmed at a Birmingham sports ground.

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Big Wigs from Hairspray at UCB

The 1960's sprang back to life at UCB this week in a mist of hairspray and greasepaint as Specialist Hair and Media Make-Up students showcased their skills to cast members from the hit musical Hairspray, including X-Factor finalist Marcus Collins.

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Lecturer in Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics

Hernam Najran

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Lecturer

Ros Davis

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Senior Lecturer (Interim Head of Department)

Elise Phillips

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Senior Lecturer

Michelle McDermott

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Careers Fair

Get an opportunity to network with employers from a variety of industries who will be promoting placement opportunities, part and full-time jobs, graduate schemes and graduate jobs, volunteering opportunities at our upcoming Careers Fair.

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Lecturer

Jo Lancaster

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Lecturer

Claire Prew

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Lecturer

Jane Lumb

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Lecturer

Skevi Paraskeva

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Lecturer

Sarah Wood

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Lecturer

Michelle Lambert

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Head of Department for Creative Industries

Chelsey Mallett

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Lecturer

Jane Watt

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Shilpi Akbar

Shilpi Akbar joined Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), a joint venture between Balfour Beatty and VINCI responsible for designing and building 90km of HS2, the largest infrastructure project in Europe. Shilpi is Head of Stakeholders and Communities, a role which enables…

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Room and Facility Hire

The availability of facilities varies throughout the academic year but if we can help you, we will. Please give us a call and confirm what you are looking for and when you need it and we can talk through what…

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Virtual tours

Take a look around our University, no matter where you are. Check out our virtual tours of our accommodation, campuses and world class facilities.