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Immerse yourself in the creative world of fashion image-making with our BA (Hons) Creative Hair and Media Makeup (Fashion & Editorial) degree at University Centre Leeds.
This is your opportunity to unleash your artistic flair and begin a journey where your passion for creative hair and media makeup truly shines.
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 unique course 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
TYPICAL OFFER
UCAS Tariff Points: 32 UCAS tariff points from one A-level (or equivalent qualifications), in a relevant subject
A Levels: 2xD grades, one of which must be in a relevant subject.
BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma: MP, MPP grade in relevant subjects.
Access to HE Diploma: Overall pass with 60 credits, with 24 credits to be at a Merit grade in a relevant subject.
VTCT Level 3 Diploma: Pass in a relevant subject.
T Levels: Acceptable in a relevant subject.
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: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature applicants who may not have met the academic criteria but can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be 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).
References: An appropriate reference desirable.
Our programme blends academic study with industry insight to provide a comprehensive understanding of the fashion and editorial industry. We encourage professional development, so as you study, you’ll gain industry experience. Throughout the programme you will experience demonstrations, practical skills development, lectures, sketchbook workshops, discussions and presentations, while building your professional portfolio.
As you study, you’ll learn specialist skills from our experienced lecturers such as specialist fashion makeup application, avant garde hair and wig styling, trend forecasting and face and body makeup techniques. You’ll have opportunities to showcase your work at events and work backstage on events, catwalks and shoots to help you to build your professional portfolio. We regularly invite industry experts, previous guest speakers have included Dan Wood (Boohoo), Laura Lawrence (Boss Model and Industry model management) and Fenty to deliver talks and run makeup masterclasses.
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.
This course is subject to validation by Luminate Education Group
Training takes place in our bespoke facilities at Prime Studios, located next to ITV, as well as in our newly built Mabgate Campus. Leeds boasts a thriving fashion scene with a rich history, giving you the opportunity to gain practical experience at local events such as the Leeds Fashion Ball and Leeds International Festival, as well as at national trade shows and events.
As part of the wider Creative Arts department, you'll benefit from a collaborative ethos fostered through our Creative Arts Network platform and social events. You’ll have opportunities to make valuable contacts and collaborate with creative students across, performance and production, graphic design and art, enhancing your projects and developing the skills to work effectively as part of a creative team.
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. Creative Arts students have free registration with the company throughout their studies and have access to live Q&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.
Our modules focus on practical skills development and may include:
Fundamental Techniques for the Inclusive Artist
This module introduces students to the fundamental practical techniques necessary for the professional hair and makeup artist. This module is designed to build knowledge and understanding of skills to build students’ confidence in working with diverse clients and models as well as developing their practical and creative skills.
Character Design and Application
This module will introduce the skills required to design and create character makeup suitable for lens-based media. The module encourages a creative approach and practical understanding of the process of make-up design with special effects for fashion and editorial and prosthetics sectors.
Creative Professional
To be successful in the industry creatives need to constantly refine and develop their work, network with other practitioners and keep abreast of current trends and working practices. During this module, students will look inwards and produce a personal development plan, which will be referred to and updated throughout the programme.
Creative Hair and makeup
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to creative hair and make-up design techniques. This will allow students to develop an understanding of the processes of constructing and exhibiting artistic hairstyles and make-up effects that are appropriate to the context; whilst understanding the relationship and necessity of applying both hair and make-up skills to create a comprehensive look.
Historical influences in Hair and Makeup
This module will develop students’ research and independent study skills to form critical analysis and interpretation of historical periods through the perspective of hair and make-up.
Fashion Makeup Trend Forecasting
This module aims to communicate key knowledge and understanding relating to trend forecasting and its place within the media makeup industry. The ability to identify current trends is an essential tool to accurately predict future desires of brands and consumers. Identifying the latest trends and creating innovative makeup designs is fundamental to the role of a modern-day makeup artist.
Advanced Fashion and Editorial techniques
The purpose of this module is to develop students’ creative makeup skills with a focus on the fashion and editorial industries. With teaching of advanced techniques, including body art, this module will allow students to create work according to current industry standards and expectations.
Avant Garde Hair and Wig Techniques
The module aims to deliver the fundamental skills required when providing bespoke hairpieces and hair styling for fashion and photographic work.
Working in the Makeup Industry
Throughout a series of taught sessions, students will explore theories to inform industry practices within the relevant creative industries and their importance in relation to their chosen sector. Students will also develop an understanding of experiential learning through a series of guest workshops, thus providing a framework for which the student sets out the learning objectives to be met during a work-based opportunity.
Managing a Showcase Event
In this module students will be given the opportunity to propose and design a creative project displaying both portfolio work and live installation to an audience, building entrepreneurial skill and giving them an individual artistic presence
Professional Practice
This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of industry practices by developing their entrepreneurial potential in a world of freelance practitioners within Creative Hair and Media Make-up. This module will allow students to enhance their professional portfolio, promoting themselves effectively by gaining an in-depth understanding of effective self-promotion in a professional context utilising appropriate platforms. Event planning and management skills along with their brand assets and professional portfolio will provide learners with the marketing tools to create new connections and career opportunities within the creative industries. Students will be given the opportunity to display their work in an installation, and this final exhibit will promote the student's individual creative identity and career aspirations whilst developing organisation and communication skills, working collaboratively to plan, manage and produce an event.
Studio Practice (Fashion and Editorial)
This module will develop an understanding of creative approaches to fashion and editorial hair and makeup whilst exploring the key concepts surrounding identity, expression, intersectionality and the wider social and political context of contemporary culture. Current industry trends and examples of hair and make-up will be explored in this expanding sector of the industry. The skills developed, and concepts explored, will assist in the wider degree program, providing critical approaches to topics that could be explored further in their final project ideas, as well as preparing them for working within a diverse hair and makeup industry.
Final Project
The final project module will provide the students with the opportunity to develop their independent research and project management skills. Students will undertake research investigation into a relevant aspect of their program of study and will be supported with a tutorial (supervision) system. Students will complete research tasks that will support their concept and will include a critical analysis of literature and trends for their chosen project. The final project requires students to take responsibility for the content and direction of their creative work and undertake independent study. Students will act as responsible artists, reflecting on the culturally diverse world we inhabit, and make considered and ethical choices in their realised projects within Creative Hair and Make-up.
All students are expected to undertake relevant work-related learning experience as part of the programme of study. The length or type of work experience is not prescribed. It is expected that students will be required to purchase a professional equipment kit to meet industry expectations.
Benefits of studying with us:
A range of assessment methods will be used throughout the BA (Hons) Creative Hair and Make-up qualification.
You will be assessed using the following methods:
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.
Unleash your creativity across our brand-new, purpose-built Mabgate Campus and Prime Studios - inspiring environments designed for visionary artists. Mabgate Campus features industry-standard facilities including make-up and photography studios, digital and Mac suites, and lecture theatres.
Alongside this, Prime Studios is a fully functioning professional studio used for fashion shoots, commercials, and music videos, offering hands-on, industry-led experience. Together, both locations mirror real-world creative practice, giving you the freedom, tools, and energy to master your craft.
TYPICAL OFFER
UCAS Tariff Points: 32 UCAS tariff points from one A-level (or equivalent qualifications), in a relevant subject
A Levels: 2xD grades, one of which must be in a relevant subject.
BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma: MP, MPP grade in relevant subjects.
Access to HE Diploma: Overall pass with 60 credits, with 24 credits to be at a Merit grade in a relevant subject.
VTCT Level 3 Diploma: Pass in a relevant subject.
T Levels: Acceptable in a relevant subject.
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: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature applicants who may not have met the academic criteria but can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be 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).
References: An appropriate reference desirable.
To support you with practical aspects of course, you will need a professional makeup and hair kit which uses the highest quality and professional standard products from industry reputable brands.
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, your kit will be ordered through the College.
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 for Year 1 of the programme. 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.
Optional expenses may include:
Progression may include postgraduate study or master’s degree, including the MA Creative Practice (Prosthetics Makeup Pathway). You will also be perfectly equipped to enter employment in a range of different settings.
Job opportunities may include:
For the latest version of the University Centre Leeds Regulations please click here.
Applications are open for 2026 entry.
To apply directly to study at University Centre Leeds as an international applicant, please 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)
For 2026 Entry: Scholarship available £4,000 (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.
For more information about visa and immigration, please click here.
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Open DaysWant to find out more about the wide range of courses, student support and more available for students at University Centre Leeds?
Access your University Centre Leeds Prospectus now.
