of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them
Course Award
BA (Hons)
Duration
1 year FT
UCAS Code
W452
Placement
Opportunities available
Entry
September
Fees
View Fees
Discover more at our next open day
Saturday 03 October 2020
Bookings will open soon
£1.3m invested in subject-related practical facilities to support your future career opportunities
91% of students in employment or further study 6 months after graduating*
*DLHE, 2016/17
From the BBC’s Peaky Blinders to Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One and theatre productions such as Dirty Dancing and Matilda, students from University College Birmingham have showcased their make-up talents on a multitude of major projects. If you want to follow in their footsteps and you already have a background in this field, our Specialist Hair and Media Make-up top-up degree will take you on the next step towards your dream career in the industry.
Designed for anyone who has previously studied a relevant subject (up to Level 5), our hair and media make-up top-up course will enable you to explore new industry ideas which you can incorporate into your own in-depth research project. Working in our state-of-the-art studios on campus, you will enhance your character design abilities, develop a critical awareness of film genres and design concepts surrounding postiche from a particular era.
University College Birmingham has an excellent reputation within the specialist hair and media make-up industry, enriching your studies with a wealth of guest lectures and events. You will also have the chance to put your skills into practice alongside your studies, with placement opportunities available from stage productions to working with community projects and luxury clothing brands.
Why should I choose this course?
- PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Hone your practical skills in our cutting-edge make-up and effects studios, as well as gaining real-world experience through industry placement opportunities
- IN-DEPTH RESEARCH – Develop an industry specialism for your future career by carrying out your own research project exploring cultural and historical aspects of hair and make-up
- ENRICHMENT – Meet industry experts at networking events and gain insight from top guest lecturers to help you keep pace with the latest trends and technology
Our facilities
University College Birmingham has a range of state-of-the-art teaching facilities and equipment for students on our hair and make-up courses, including cutting-edge make-up studios, prosthetics and special effects studios and a media workshop.
Our prosthetic studios include purpose-built spaces for processes such as lifecasting, sculpture, mould-making, artwork and fitting
Our Media Workshop allows you to learn how to perfect your hair and make-up work for the camera and how to light, compose and take professional studio shots
We have two fully-equipped make-up studios on campus where you can hone your practical skills
Course breakdown
- Modules
Core Modules
Cultural and Historical Studies
By drawing on your skills and knowledge, you will illustrate developments in hair and make-up within multiple contexts including multi-cultural, aesthetic, socio-economic, political and historical frameworks.
Innovations within Make-up Artistry
You will develop an approach to specialist hair and make-up which sees innovation, creativity, fashion and social change as essential components of the industry. You will explore issues surrounding the diversity and opportunities within the profession. You can develop new ideas and ways of thinking through a range of rational and creative thinking techniques.
Postiche Design for Performers
You will conduct in-depth cultural research to design and create bespoke hair pieces contributing to a professional holistic character portrayal suitable for a period production of your choosing. Having the ability to style, apply and maintain bespoke hair pieces is a valued asset when working as a hair and make-up artist in the industry, whereas being able to design, measure and produce your own pieces is a career progression route as a wig master in and of itself. By engaging with this module and developing these skills, you will broaden the employment opportunities available to you upon graduation.
The Art of Film
By exploring the art of filmmaking, you will develop a critical awareness of a wide variety of film genres and design concepts from the 1800s to the present day and explore a wide range of specialist areas. You will examine the importance of technical effects, socio-political and historical impacts and the use of film as a media to cross boundaries and educate audiences.
Research option:
Research Project
You will have the opportunity to engage in an independent research project of your choice. You will have support with preparing your proposal and understanding the competent characteristics of good research. An appointed tutor will help guide you through this important and rewarding process.
Final Major Project
You will get the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in a particular area of the industry. You will create a design brief within a chosen context and support it through reflective writing. By demonstrating your skill-set, you will build a coherent and creative piece of work which will support your entry into the specialist hair and media make-up industry.
The modules listed above for this course are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date and informed by industry as well as the latest teaching methods. On occasion, we may need to make unexpected changes to modules – if this occurs, we will contact all offer holders as soon as possible.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Academic: A relevant HND or a foundation degree in the areas of Theatrical Media and Hair, with 240 credits.
If you are unsure if your previous qualification is suitable, please contact us before completing an application. You can call us on 0121 604 1040 or email direct@ucb.ac.uk
EU/international students
Academic: European and International qualifications studied in a relevant subject matter will also be considered. Applicants will need to have achieved 120 ECTS or equivalent (European Credit Transfer).
If you are unsure if your previous qualification is suitable, please contact us before completing an application. You can call us on 0121 604 1040 or send an email:
International: international@ucb.ac.uk
Key information
Teaching and assessment
Note: Indicative information only – actual timetables and assessment regimes will be issued at your induction.
Teaching
Example of a typical teaching week (up to 16 contact hours):
- Large group teaching – 4 hours
- Smaller group teaching – 9 hours
- Tutorials – 3 hours
You will also need to commit around 20 hours per week for individual study time.
Assessment
Estimated breakdown of assessment for this top-up degree course:
- Coursework – 67%
- Practical assessment – 28%
- Written examinations – 5%
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2015-2020.
Kick-Start
As a new student studying this degree full-time, you will receive £300 per year via our Kick-Start Scheme (eligibility criteria applies). This scheme will support your studies and future career by contributing to course-related materials, uniform or selected items on campus. You might even qualify for an additional £500 per year.
Tuition fees
UK/EU students
If you are a UK/EU student enrolling on a full-time foundation degree or a BA/BSc in 2020/21, your fee for this academic year will be £9,250 per each full year. A half year tuition fee is £4,625. UK/EU students do not pay tuition fees for any placement periods.
International students
If you are an international student enrolling on a a full-time foundation degree or a BA/BSc in 2020/21, your fee for this academic year will be £11,500 per year.
If you complete a placement year, your tuition fee would be £500 for a full year (£250 for half year placement).
70%
Work placements
Work placements are vital for gaining real-life experience and for building your confidence and skills before you finish your course – and they may even lead to a job when you graduate. Our hired@UCB team can help find the ideal placement for you.
We encourage students on our BA Specialist Hair and Media Make-up top-up course to gain work experience throughout your studies.
Work alongside experts in your sector
A snapshot of some of the employers we have worked with:
- Birmingham Repertory Theatre
- Birmingham Conservatoire
- The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham
- Ann Summers
- West Midlands Fire Service (special effects for firefighter training)
You are taught by specialists and it prepares you in the best way for the industry. The lecturers genuinely teach you things you need to know and they are always there to help you. I secured my first job working on a film for the London Short Film Festival.
Career opportunities
Make-up artist
Average Salary: £21,161
Freelance make-up artist
Variable
Hair stylist
Average Salary: £17,709
Want to take your studies to the next level? Completing the BA (Hons) top-up degree will enable you to move onto our Prosthetics for Film and Television MA course.
Steph’s Story
Award-winning Steph is living the dream, appearing on a hit BBC show through to creating gruesome prosthetics for horror flicks.
Meet your lecturers
