Course Summary

This unique and innovative Foundation Degree in Specialist Make-Up Design will prepare you for work in an exciting field. Make-up designers can work across a range of environments, including film, television, theatre, photography, editorial, personal styling and more.

You will learn the wide range of skills required of the contemporary make-up artist. The course will emphasise hands-on experience, providing you with the unique opportunity to develop a specialist expertise in a particular area of media. Alongside practical work, you will also engage with the cultural significance of make-up in a society and discover the historic power of beauty products. You will become an expert in hairstyles, wig dressing and making, fashion styling, and make-up.

As this course takes a highly vocational focus, we will also provide you with entrepreneurial guidance and ensure that you have a firm understanding of the steps that lead to a successful business. Our talented teaching team will help you express, research, develop and realise your career ambitions.

Why choose this course?

This unique course will provide you with thorough training in the specialist field of make-up design. You will graduate capable of securing employment in film, television, theatre, editorial and other media sectors. You will also be eligible to work in personal styling, fashion and photography. Most importantly, you will have a sound understanding of business and graduate with the ability to launch and maintain a successful freelance career.

During the course you will:

• Undertake work-based and placement learning through projects, photoshoots, practical activities and employer involvement
• Develop the key skills required for make-up design in fashion, theatre, television and film
• Learn how to create special effects and prosthetics
• Understand the research behind innovative developments in make-up and make-up design
• Enjoy access to a fully-equipped make-up studio featuring a professional photographic backdrop
• Benefit from practice with specialist make-up using Bentley chemicals
• Create a strong professional portfolio
• Attend professional trade show visits
• Network with prospective employers and gain work experience and employment opportunities within the make-up, hair and fashion industries

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Assessment

Learning and teaching is effective through building a close relationship between practice and theory as well as a consideration of professional and work - based practices.

Students are encouraged to work independently, particularly at level 2, taking ownership of their own creativity and outcomes whilst at the same time developing an understanding of the theatrical and professional contexts that affect design problems in make-up artistry.

At the end of the programme students should be able to realise their creative project and exhibit it in the fashion show/event. They will be able to demonstrate their own particular insights into the cultural, social and work - related contexts in which their work is placed.

To help students to develop their independent learning skills the curriculum moves from classroom and workshop based teaching at level one to more independent study at level 2 as students take on responsibilities in the organisation of the fashion show and in parallel and under a tutors guidance organise their own research project. The programme allows for a degree of choice is flexible in its approach to student learning with an underlying educational philosophy in these modules of self - directed learning that is managed and taught through individual supervision and group or individual critiques.

Teaching and learning strategies include practical workshop sessions, personal study, a variety of work - related learning opportunities, seminars, supervisions, personal journals and logs of group project work. There may be opportunities to work with BA Media Performance students on performances at the University.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Explore the interpersonal and cultural aspects of make-up and hair designs.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the materials and techniques used in make-up artistry, wig dressing and hair styling both in the past and today.

3. Acquire a broad range of knowledge and skills relevant to creating life masks, prosthetics, special effects make up, hair and wig designs for theatrical, media, photographic or fashion purposes.

4. Develop an understanding of health and safety issues involved in working at events, on location, on set, in theatrical spaces and studios and for and with other businesses.

5. Function within a theatrical / media business environment.

6. Develop successfully from your foundation degree with the skills to succeed at level 3 BA (hons) Media Performance.

External Benchmarking

Teaching and learning has taken account of the level descriptors and expected outcomes for intermediate and non - honours graduates as articulated in the Higher Education Qualifications Framework published by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).

Further, teaching and learning has been informed by close links with an employers forum that consists of Dale Evans (Salon Manager), Christina Steeley (Principal of Wendy Arnold Academy), Loraine Winslade (Simply Beautiful, HABIA), Hazel Fiddler (VTCT), Heather Mole (VTCT), Selina Aloia (Salon Manager), Beryl Lerman (Make up International), Laura Richardson (Spa Manager Champneys), Michelle Goode (Luton and Dunstable Hospital), Margaret Kennedy (Pasque Hospice), Wendy Burns (Grove House Hospice).

Educational Aims

Aims:

• To introduce students to contemporary social and cultural dimensions of hair and make up design


• To give students a critical introduction to period hair and make-up design


• To give students a broad understanding of the use and application of hair and make-up design in the theatre and in the media

Student support

Barnfield has a range of student support services, academic advice systems and a disability advisor. Students are given tutorial support at appropriate points through out the course. Course books, online databases and web access are available through the Barnfield College library.

Students will also have access to Learning Resources at the University of Bedfordshire which includes books, journals, online databases, and specialist newspapers and magazines.

Team working

Some units include group work. Students produce creative and realistic solutions to complex problems including time management, monitoring progress to work to deadlines, evaluating their group and individual strategies to achieve the desired outcome. They have to participate effectively in the operation of a team and collaborate with members of the team.

Career Management Skills

Professional development is included at level one in the PPAD and at level two in PDP modules. Students will learn about and business practice and about professional roles in the creative arts. Opportunities are provided to students to find out more about the industry through guest lectures and careers conferences at Barnfield College and at the University.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

Professional development is included at level one and two and is integrated in units such as WBL and Personal Development in Business Management. Students will learn about business practice and about professional roles in the creative arts.

Opportunities are provided to students to find out more about the industry through guest lectures and careers conferences at Barnfield College and at the University.

Further study:

On completing this course students are likely to progress onto the BA (Hons) in Media Performance. Currently looking in Further Studies in the Arts Sector.

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.
• Students who require a Tier 4 Student Visa cannot apply for our foundation courses. For these courses the University of Bedfordshire is not able to sponsor Tier 4 Student Visa applications.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Postgraduate taught courses

Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the  standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.

• UK/EU students application form
• International (non-EU) students application form
  

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire

Teaching Strategy

Learning and teaching is effective through building a close relationship between practice and theory as well as a consideration of professional and work-based practices.

Students are encouraged to work independently, particularly at level 2, taking ownership of their own creativity and outcomes whilst at the same time developing an understanding of the theatrical and professional contexts that affect design problems in make up artistry.

At the end of the programme students should be able to realise their creative project and exhibit it in the fashion show/event. They will be able to demonstrate their own particular insights into the cultural, social and work related contexts in which their work is placed.

To help students to develop their independent learning skills the curriculum moves from classroom and workshop based teaching at level one to more independent study at level 2 as students take on responsibilities in the organisation of the fashion show and in parallel and under a tutors guidance organise their own research project. The programme allows for a degree of choice is flexible in its approach to student learning with an underlying educational philosophy in these modules of self directed learning that is managed and taught through individual supervision and group or individual critiques.

Teaching and learning strategies include practical workshop sessions, personal study, a variety of work-related learning opportunities, seminars, supervisions, personal journals and logs of group project work. There may be opportunities to work with BA Media Performance students on performances at the University.

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Students with disabilities

There is no lab work or field trips, but students will be expected to work with specialist equipment, DTP and web software, and write reports based on their own original research. Practice based work will be adapted as required to accommodate students with disabilities.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

• Be asked to produce work of different lengths and formats, properly referenced


• Be able to assess the quality of your own oral and visual communication and identify areas for improvement and deliver written or presentation assignments which succeed in communicating a series of points effectively


• To exercise and improve your communication skills is one of the major emphases of the programme and this is achieved in a variety of ways


• The assessments include working with clients and recording their communications in a variety of documents. Oral communication will be practiced and tested in presentations and individual critiques

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

• Be able to interpret and communicate simple statistical data using charts, graphs and simple functions in an IT package. You will understand the importance of presenting relatively complex numerical information in a two and three-dimensional forms. You will need to research a wide range of theoretical evident related to your subject area

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

• Be able to complete a complex search using appropriate primary and secondary sources, and draw accurate conclusions independently using the subject methodology. Some personal and professional development modules include data analysis. Searching and evaluating internet sources is taught and you will analyse the data found using appropriate techniques. You are encouraged to to read the suggested texts and use these texts in your assignments and presentation

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

• Be encouraged to evaluate the efficacy of design techniques both through critiquing available research and through practice you will also be encouraged to explore special effect techniques, materials, historical backgrounds and editorial to collate ideas and develop these to a high standard

Improving learning and performance

Through group crits, and their own records or progress students working in teams monitor the groups progress and evaluate their individual effectiveness to achieve their aims. Working individually students have to set their own goals tasks to achieve their research goals, drawing on previous learning experience to achieve creative solutions to common problems.

Progress files

You will be asked to present and develop your ideas over a period of time recording them in a diary, log book and / or through a portfolio containing photographs that record the various designs. Formative assessments ensure your understanding of the process and enable you to progress their ideas to fruition.

Professional standards

Professional standards are developed with a stronger emphasis on experiential learning and reflective practice. You will be expected to consider ethical, practical and social considerations in relation to professional practice. You will be expected to implement approaches to Personal Development Planning.

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

Actively engaging employers in curriculum development, delivery and assessment of learning through close links with an employers forum.

Integrating career planning throughout the programme.

Enhancing professional skills development, related where appropriate to HABIA standards (Hair and Beauty Information Association).

Supporting students in evaluating, and learning how to evidence, the skills shaped and developed within the programme.