Creative Hair Media Makeup model with blue overlay

Creative Hair and Media Makeup

BA Hons (Top-up)

Study Creative Hair and Media Makeup at University Centre Leeds

Welcome to the exciting world of creativity and transformation with our BA Creative Hair and Makeup degree at University Centre, Leeds. Unleash your artistic flair and embark on a journey where your passion for Creative Hair and Media makeup takes centre stage.

We believe in nurturing the next generation of makeup professionals, providing you with the tools and facilities to be the best backstage. With a clear vision of your goals, you'll develop core professional skills while crafting your own unique identity within the makeup industry. Our program encourages you to choose a personal specialisation, allowing you to hone your craft and prepare for the dynamic and fast-paced world of media makeup. But that's not all – we go beyond traditional education to ensure our students have a competitive edge in the industry. We are proud members of Film Buddy UK, offering bespoke employability services tailored to our students. Throughout your studies, you'll enjoy free registration with Film Buddy UK, granting you access to live Q&A sessions with leading specialists, mentoring support, and exclusive work experience opportunities relating to the fashion industry. Dive into FB-1, an online catalogue of interviews and podcasts featuring insights from industry experts.

We are proud to link with makeup brands and artists who offer exclusive access to boot camps, masterclasses, and special events such as store visits and masterclasses, industry workshops, and opportunities to gain valuable feedback on your work.

Elevate your creative potential and join a community of passionate individuals at University Centre Leeds. Embrace the challenges, unlock your artistic prowess, and set the stage for a successful career in the creative hair and makeup industry.

  • Starts:
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Venue: Quarry Hill Campus and Prime Studios
  • Fee: £9,250 per academic year (£8,745 fees + £505 kit fee) for UK students
     
    International Fee: £14,000 full-time (per academic year) £3,000 Scholarship available
  • UCAS Course Code(s): 8F10
  • UCAS Institution Code: L21
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Validated By: This course is validated by The Open University
  • Awarded By: The Open University

Entry Requirements

TYPICAL OFFER

Foundation Degree: Pass on the second year of a foundation degree in a relevant subject. For students below this profile a suitable tutor reference will be required. 

HND: Pass grade in a relevant subject, For students below this profile a suitable tutor reference will be required. 

IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.

International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria.

Mature applicants: We welcome applications from candidates who may not precisely match the academic criteria but can demonstrate experience in their chosen field as well as academic achievement at level 5. Candidates in this category will be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.

*21 years and over at the start of the course

RPL Claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).

Portfolio: All students must be able to demonstrate by a portfolio of work, qualifications or testing that they have the required literacy, numeracy and practical skills to complete the course.

Note: It is expected, in order to meet industry expectations, that students will be required to purchase a professional equipment kit.

Fashion, Theatrical And Media Hair And Make Up model, game of throne white walker looking

Creative Hair and Media Makeup

The BA Creative Hair and Media Makeup course is crafted to provide a platform for you to develop your individual creative identity as an artist while seamlessly guiding and supporting your transition from student to working professional. Our curriculum goes beyond technical skills, fostering an understanding of creative approaches to the makeup world, you will explore key concepts such as identity, expression, intersectionality, and the broader social and political context of contemporary culture. Stay at the forefront of industry trends and immerse yourself in this rapidly expanding sector. You will train at our newly built Quarry Hill Campus and at Prime Studios based in Leeds. .

This state-of-the-art facility at Quarry Hill houses a range of specialist physical resources, including make-up studios, photography studios, digital drawing suites, Mac suites, a television studio, theatre, studio spaces, workshop spaces, and exhibition spaces. Each of these areas has been designed according to industry standards to create a realistic work environment, ensuring that you are fully prepared for the demands of the professional world. Our campus provides the ideal backdrop with a lecture theatre available for course lectures and guest speaker sessions. Students also have access to a Higher Education-specific Creative Arts library on campus, offering a wealth of resources to enrich your academic journey.

At Prime Studios, you'll find more than just a place to develop your skills – it's a hub of creativity. Experience the atmosphere of a functioning studio, used for fashion shoots, commercials and music videos. This setting ensures that you're not just learning but actively applying your knowledge in a professional setting, gaining hands-on experience that mirrors the realities of the industry. Prime Studios opens doors to numerous networking opportunities; connect with industry professionals, collaborate with fellow students, and engage with experts in the field. These interactions go beyond the classroom, providing you with insights and potential avenues for future collaboration.

This course is validated by The Open University

The Open University Logo

We are proud to work with: 

We are part of Screen Yorkshire’s Connected Campus initiative which works to forge closer links between TV and Film professionals, production companies, broadcasters and students. Through this initiative you will have access to a range of boot camps, masterclasses and special events, including visits to live sets and studios, industry workshops, visiting speakers and the opportunity to gain feedback on your work from industry professionals. The scheme is encouraged and supported by the broadcasters based in the region, including Channel 4, the BBC and ITV.

We are also members of Film Buddy UK who offer bespoke employability services to encourage, inspire and assist students directly into work experience placements and employment within the Film, Television & Creative Media Industries. UCL Creative Arts students have free registration with the company throughout their studies and have access to live Q and As with some of the world's leading specialists, mentoring support, access to work experience opportunities and FB-1, an online catalogue of interviews and podcasts with specialists from the screen industries.

How to Apply

How to Apply:

  1. Register for an Account: Click the link below and use the "Create a New User" facility to register for an application account. An email will be sent to the address you provide, with a verification link.
  2. Verify Your Email: Click the verification link in the email to confirm your account.
  3. Complete Your Application: Once your account is created, you can start your application. You can save your progress and return to it later if needed. Your username will be the email address you used to register.

To access your account again and complete your application, use the second link provided in your verification email.

Apply Now: Direct Application Form

Need Help? For further information, please email admissions@ucleeds.ac.uk 

Please note, if you apply directly, we are required to submit a Record of Prior Acceptance (RPA) application to UCAS on your behalf if your application is successful and you enrol.

If you would like to apply for to study full time, please do so via UCAS.

The institution code for University Centre Leeds is L21.

The application fee for applying through UCAS is £28.50, unless you are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM).

Apply via UCAS

Course Information

Semester 1

Final Project (component 1)

Studio Practice

Semester 2

Final Project (component 2)

Professional Practice

Professional Practice (20 credits)

The Professional Practice module is designed for you to plan, manage, and produce an impactful event, unlocking new opportunities to network within the creative hair and media makeup industry. You will learn the art of self-promotion to ensure that you have all the tools required to become a successful practitioner within the media makeup industry.

Studio Practice (Fashion and Editorial) (40 credits)

In this module you will have the opportunity to explore current industry trends and concepts such as identity, expression, and intersectionality within the social and political context of contemporary culture. The module integrates theory and practical skills, providing you with the opportunity to develop both academic depth and professional proficiency. This module is supported by industry specialists from the media makeup industry who deliver guest workshops as part of the module and sessions are delivered between Quarry Hill Campus, with purpose built makeup and hair studios and Prime Studios, a working television and production studio based in the heart of Leeds.

Final Project (60 credits)

The Final Project module provides you with the opportunity to conduct independent research and build project management skills. You will conduct research investigation into a relevant aspect of study which will be supported by our supervision system. You will complete research tasks that will support your chosen concept and will include critical analysis of literature and trends. You will take responsibility for the content and direction of your creative work ensuring final outcomes are suitable for the media makeup industry.

You will develop the following skills and benefits:

  • Innovative and creative thinking that will benefit the fast moving creative industry environment.
  • A critical understanding of Creative Hair and Media Make-up principles and practices
  • Self-discipline and independence as learners and creative industries practitioners
  • Opportunity for networking and industry links
  • Critical thinking, study skills, academic writing and time management strategies
  • Creative and technical skills appropriate to your practice

A range of assessment methods will be used throughout the BA (Hons) Creative Hair and Media Makeup Top-up. You will be assessed in a variety of ways including

  • Live Event
  • Visual Report
  • Presentation
  • Final Project
  • Portfolio of Images
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Continuous feedback


Assessment tasks are designed to ready students for employment in line with industry expectations, for example through presenting and communicating creative ideas, developing digital skills in the presentation of reports, working collaboratively with creative teams, managing projects/timescales and collating a professional portfolio and digital branded assets to help you stand out to employers and gain work in specialist industries.

The live event will also provide opportunities to show work to industry specialists and will provide opportunities to develop networking and communication skills.

TYPICAL OFFER

Foundation Degree: Pass on the second year of a foundation degree in a relevant subject. For students below this profile a suitable tutor reference will be required. 

HND: Pass grade in a relevant subject, For students below this profile a suitable tutor reference will be required. 

IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.

International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria.

Mature applicants: We welcome applications from candidates who may not precisely match the academic criteria but can demonstrate experience in their chosen field as well as academic achievement at level 5. Candidates in this category will be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.

*21 years and over at the start of the course

RPL Claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).

Portfolio: All students must be able to demonstrate by a portfolio of work, qualifications or testing that they have the required literacy, numeracy and practical skills to complete the course.

Note: It is expected, in order to meet industry expectations, that students will be required to purchase a professional equipment kit.

Progression may include postgraduate study or Master degree.

Job opportunities may include:

  • Freelance Hair and Makeup Artist
  • Retail Manager
  • Specialist roles within Fashion and Photography

For the latest version of the programme specifications for this course please click here.

For the latest version of the course handbook for this course please click here.

For the latest version of The Open University regulations please click here.

To support you with practical aspects of course, you will be required to purchase a professional prosthetics kit and LCC uniform.

To ensure that you obtain the best deal possible, for industry recognised professional branded quality products that will set you up in your future career, you can order your kit through the College. It is estimated that a full industry standard kit will cost in the region of £505.

As we recognise this is a lot of money to pay upfront at the start of your course, we have made arrangements for you to be able to apply for this cost to be added to your tuition fee loan from Student Finance England,  which would mean that your loan would be for £9250. If taking this option please note that your kit can only be issued to you once proof of your loan is received by the college.

When applying for your tuition fee loan please either select the fee without the kit (charged at £8745), or the fee with the kit included (charged at £9250).

Optional expenses may include:

  • £10 professional photoshoots at the end of practical assessments
  • Any additional resources individual to own projects
  • £30 Optional Prosthetics Event Trip

Information for International Students

Applications are open for 2025 entry.

To apply directly to study at University Centre Leeds as an international applicant, please see the direct apply link further up this page or visit our 'How to apply' page and complete the steps.

You can also apply through UCAS.

For more information please visit our 'How to apply' page.

Course fees for Undergraduates are £14,000 (GBP)

Scholarship available £3,000 (GBP) all courses.

For more information about fees and scholarships, please click here.

Please see our entry requirements page for additional requirements as an international student

International students will study 5 additional hours on top of the regular timetable.

  • 1 hour cultural studies
  • 2 hours academic study skills
  • 2 hours English studies

For more information about visa and immigration, please click here.

Unistats

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