BA Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television with foundation year
University of Greater Manchester
About this course
BA (Hons) Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television with foundation year is an undergraduate make-up and hair design degree focused on practical artistry for the screen industries. Core topics include Ethics & Professional Practice. The course includes a foundation year designed to build fundamental creative and academic competencies through collaborative and individual practical projects. The first year covers initial competencies through Creative Foundations, Creative Explorations, and Principles of Make-up and Hair Techniques. Subsequent stages expand into advanced techniques via modules such as Principles of Prosthetic Manufacture, Digital Principles for Make-up Effects, and Film + FX Production Project. Later study involves specialised areas including Manufacturing Techniques for Prosthetics, Wigs and Hair Pieces, Finishing Techniques for Character Application, and Advanced Digital Techniques. The final stage culminates in a substantial Major Project alongside modules like Industry Project and Professional Practice.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
48 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels and BTECs. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications. Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Creative subjects are strongly preferred. You should also have five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent), including English. You'll be required to provide a portfolio of appropriate work and attend a portfolio review where we'll expect you to present your work and demonstrate your experience. Your portfolio should include recent effects-related (or project-based) work. The quality of your portfolio will be judged alongside traditional UCAS point-bearing qualifications to determine the success of your application. Special consideration is given to applicants without the above qualifications who have a strong portfolio. If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
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What students say
Based on about 17 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 72%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 155 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 80%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 2%
- London: 1%
- South East: 2%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Bronze for student outcomes.
Modules
- Creative Foundations
- Professional and Academic Skills
- Creative Explorations
- Project Design, Academic Integrity and Ethics
- Collaborative Project
- Creative Project
- Principles of Make-up and Hair Techniques
- Digital Principles for Make-up Effects
- Principles of Prosthetic Manufacture
- Film and Television Contexts
- Film + FX Production Project
- FX Industries Exploration
- Advanced Digital Techniques
- Manufacturing Techniques for Prosthetics, Wigs and Hair Pieces
- Finishing Techniques for Character Application
- Professional Identity
- Innovation Skillset
- Industry Project
- Research into Practice
- Major Project
- Professional Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television with foundation year at University of Greater Manchester earn?
The median salary is £18,500 after 3 years, £20,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £15,000 and £26,500. The £20,500 median after five years is £3,000 less than the UK median for Creative arts and design (other).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television with foundation year at University of Greater Manchester?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television with foundation year at University of Greater Manchester?
The average entrant had 79 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television with foundation year at University of Greater Manchester?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.