About the course
You need a diverse skill set to work as a hair and make-up artist in fast-moving sectors such as media, broadcast, film, theatre and fashion. This course gives you the creative breadth and depth to work across a wide range of industries or specialise in a particular area.
You develop your creativity, skills and techniques in areas such as fashion, prosthetics, medical simulation, character design, and period hair and make-up. The course covers make-up and h
air for all ethnicities as well as the latest techniques for film and TV including 4K films. You learn with an industry-experienced team who teach at the leading edge of current product and technique developments.
Work experience and realistic tasks are part of the course so you gain the necessary skills to work on set, on location or in the studio. In addition, you collaborate with students from other courses – such as acting, photography, and film and TV production - to produce cross-course events; contribute to films, stage and photography projects; and support each other in portfolio creation and development.
Why choose this course?
- It is a natural progression for students who wish to gain a full degree after completing our Media Make-up and Character Design FdA
- Studying both fashion and media aspects of make-up and hair design gives you great flexibility in your career choices
- Learn from an expert team with a wide range of industry experience including working with the military in injury-simulation exercises, and in TV dramas and sci-fi series for the BBC and Channel 4
- Benefit from real event and production experience as well as workshops and masterclasses from visiting industry experts
- Prepare for the world of work with a course that covers self-employment; portfolio development; and how to promote yourself in a busy marketplace
- Former students have gone into fashion-shoot work; the management of a quality make-up range; and film and TV, including Netflix and Millennium FX, the production company responsible for the prosthetics for Dr Who and Torchwood
Student feedback from Industry workshops and masterclasses
Kate Beavis: Marketing and Social Media expert:
“Kate's masterclass on social media and websites for business were very useful. She is very knowledgeable and helped me with ideas for social media content and websites creation including understanding on legal requirements of websites and how blogging can help me become visible as a makeup artist.”
Mya, a current student
Gemma Horner, Fashion Makeup Artist:
“Gemma was a very lovely and inspiring makeup artists to have a masterclass with. I gained lots of inspiration from her about working with colour, texture and trying techniques out of my comfort zone.”
Milan, a current student
Alice Snell, Fashion Makeup Artist:
“Alice was amazing and answered all the industry questions and put into perspective workable business techniques of how to start working in the industry. She had amazing makeup skills and was very informative. She gave a realistic brief for us to achieve with constructive feedback that will help me build my portfolio.”
Sandra, a current student
Course Leader - Kathryn Pugh - School of Media and Performance
I joined the University of Bedfordshire in 2017 as Lecturer in Dance but have taught on the Acting, Performing Arts and Dance courses at Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels.
Having danced in the presence of HRH Princess Margaret in my teens, I followed this with several different performing and choreography work as well as teaching in schools, specialist performing arts colleges and Lecturing/tutoring and being a Practical Teaching Supervisor for the Royal Academy of Dance – which I still do - also fulfilling the role of PGCE Programme Manager for a year.
Credits include such diverse projects as: singing on Captain Cook: Obsession and Discovery TV series soundtrack; Video Games Live performances; BC Day performing arts co-ordinator in Victoria, Canada; acting with Victoria Murder Mysteries; and principal choreographer for Nutcracker in a Nutshell biannual dance performances in BC, Canada. I currently run inclusive Movement for Mental Health workshops, drawing on Dance Science, psychology and breathing and relaxation methods.
I have also choreographed, directed and musical directed a variety of Musicals from Daybreak and Oliver! to Shrek, the Musical.
I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Authority and enjoy researching interdisciplinary arts and practical pedagogic approaches to dance.
Units
- Advanced Techniques And Skills For The Make-Up Industry (MED084-3) Compulsory
- Professional Experience (MED085-3) Compulsory
- Special Project In Media Performance For Film Tv & Theatre (MED043-3) Compulsory
Why study in the School of Arts and Creative Industries?
- Professional theatre and dance studios
- Latest digital and VR technologies and performance techniques
- Taught by experienced performers and practitioners
- Industry links and Media Masterclasses
- Media arts centre equipped with industry standard facilities
- Specially equipped Art and Design building
Entry Requirements
This course is for applicants with a related Foundation Degree or Higher Education qualification wishing to top up to the full BA/BSc degree.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Extra Costs
Luton Campus Centre
The Campus Centre brings together all our student services under one roof including the Students’ Union and spaces to eat, drink, relax and learn.
There's a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on the upper floors.
Luton Campus Library
The library is a modern 9-storey building dedicated to study and learning.
As well as traditional library provisions it offers individual and group study spaces, a cafeteria on the ground floor and a ‘Study Hub’ offering guidance and workshops on academic writing and research skills to ensure all Bedfordshire students get the help they need to succeed in their studies.
Beds SU
When you join the University of Bedfordshire, you don't just join the university - you also become a member of Bedfordshire Students' Union (Beds SU)!
Beds SU is led by four Student Officers - a President and three Vice Presidents - who are elected annually by University of Bedfordshire students to lead the Students' Union.
We are here to help every student at the University of Bedfordshire get the most out of their university experience. We campaign on issues that you care about, as well as provide lots of opportunities for you to meet new people, develop your skills, campaign for change and try something new.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gym has state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smart phone compatibility. There is also an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area.
Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
Luton Campus Accommodation
The University guarantees accommodation to all new students. Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court, the two main halls of residence, are located on campus so getting to lectures, shopping in town and participating in events and activities is easy.
STEM building
The STEM building is home to courses in the subject areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Opened in Autumn 2019, its cutting edge facilities provides four computer laboratories; workshops for subjects such as automotive engineering, cyber-security and robotics, along with three large teaching labs, and four specialist containment labs.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
