| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-15 | - |
Program Overview
The Level 2 Diploma in Media Make-up and Special Effects provides fundamental skills in makeup, hair techniques, character design, and special effects makeup. Students develop practical methods, research skills, and responsibility for progression to higher education or related employment in creative industries such as theatre, TV, and film. The course includes units on performance, production, communication, and contextual research, supported by practical assessments and a final externally moderated project.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Level 2 Diploma in Media Make-up and Special Effects provides fundamental skills for progression to related employment, adding depth, sophistication, and synthesis. It offers the opportunity to explore specialist study areas and contexts. The diploma is a broad diagnostic course providing an overview of different perspectives and approaches within the arts industry or related subjects. Students develop research, analysis, and evaluation skills to create creative solutions to complex problems. Students also develop responsibility for research, planning, time management, and actions needed for progression to higher education or related work.
Outline:
The course structure provides a wide range of experience in key areas, including (but not limited to): design work; basic make-up application and removal; hair techniques; make-up for theatre and screen performance; character design; wig skills; colour techniques for performance; special effects techniques; bald cap application; mask making; headdresses; ageing for theatre; straight-to-skin techniques; simple prosthetics; product knowledge; introduction to period make-up and hair; basic hair knowledge; skin types and face shapes; health and safety; and cleansing procedures and skin preparation. The course includes the following units:
- Unit 1 – Introduction to Performance
- Unit 2 – Introduction to Production
- Unit 3 – Communicating with an Audience
- Unit 4 – Staging a Performance
- Unit 5 – Contextual Research for Performance and Production
- Unit 6 – Performance Skills and Practice
- Unit 7 – Production Skills and Practice
- Unit 8 – Personal Project and Presentation
- Unit 9 – Producing and Performing to an Audience (Level 2)
- or
- Unit 10 – Producing and Performing to an Audience (Level 3)
Assessment:
The Level 2 Diploma is a practical, project-based, live-brief course supported by practical skills development and ongoing scrapbook assessment.
Careers:
Successful completion allows progression to further study or direct entry into creative industries. Potential careers include: researching and designing make-up for characters; working to production designers’ notes and instructions; designing and styling hair for characters; creating special effects make-up; applying and redoing make-up and hair on set; and removing make-up and maintaining wigs and hairpieces. Work may be in theatre, TV, film, fashion, and editorial.
Other:
Work experience and enrichment opportunities are embedded in the timetable, enhancing CVs and providing industry-based experience. Links include (but are not limited to): The Royal Shakespeare Company, Bradford Council, Alhambra, Wigs up North, make-up designers, various freelancers, JT Studios, and TV and film industry links. The course is a Level 2 qualification, a School Leavers course, full-time, one academic year in duration, starting September 2025, and located in the Lister Building. The qualification gained is a University of the Arts London Diploma in Performing and Production Arts.
