Beauty students

The Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects and Media Make-up Artistry provides you with specialist practical skills and knowledge which will equip you to seek employment or progression within the theatrical and media make-up industry. This qualification is aimed at you if you are looking to work in the theatrical and media make-up industry. This qualification covers a very wide range of skills and knowledge required for working in the Theatrical and Media Make-up industry. Achievement of this qualification demonstrates to an employer that you have the necessary advanced technical skills to be employed as a Theatrical and Media Make-up Artist. You are likely to choose this qualification if you want to cover all of the advanced skills and knowledge needed to work as a Theatrical and Media Make-up artist. The areas covered in this qualification will give you a wider range of advanced techniques and also further progression or employment opportunities.

This qualification could lead to a job as a:

  • Theatre make-up artist

  • Film make-up artist

  • TV make-up artist

  • Make-up designer

  • Product developer

  • Entrepreneur

As part of your training, you will spend a minimum of three sessions a week in our well equipped and purposed built studios and workshop areas. You will be taught by experienced vocational lecturers who have worked, or are currently working, in the Theatrical, Special Effects and Media Make-up Industry and they, therefore have a wide and current experience of the industries needs and trends. Students are expected to dedicate time for home study to devleop and deepen the core underpinning knowledge, promoting long term memory.

You will study the following content:

  • Cutting and styling techniques for performers

  • Avant-garde hair and make-up

  • Creative make-up design for productions and industry demands

  • Apply prosthetic pieces and bald caps

  • Special effects make-up

  • Create, dress and fit facial postiche

  • Body art for competition

  • Create, cast small prosthetic pieces and bald caps

  • Wig dressing, fitting and maintenance

Your initial training is carried out on peers within your group, performing and receiving hair and media makeup techniques from varies eras and designs. You will be expected to behave in a highly professional manner at all times, within our teaching and learning environments developing employability skills. Uniform and equipment will need to be purchased (refer to course costs) You will wear a uniform at all times and are required to bring all equipment with you for each salon session.

Full participation and engagement in developing Maths and English, employability skills, personal development in behaviour attitude and skills are compulsory and are monitored weekly and progress reviews are performed four times a year will be part of the wider curriculum.

This qualification provides a real opportunity for you to gain work specific skills and knowledge in make-up artistry as well as studying English and maths that would benefit you in your progression opportunities and into employment. It will provide an opportunity to connect your technical learning with real-life work placement through the work experience element of your course. There will be other non-qualification activities which you will engage in whilst studying such as enrichment activities which might include the development of employability skills, problem solving techniques, communications and client/model care, which are really important when thinkin

Course options

Code

B9D159P

Level

Level 3

Mode

Full Time

Campus

Dartford

Duration

1 year

Starting

8/09/2025

Ending

19/06/2026


  • What qualification will I gain?

    VTCT L3 Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects and Hair & Media Make-up Artistry.

  • Entry Requirements

    You will need to have previously achieved a Level 2 Hair and Media Make up Artistry or Beauty Therapy qualification. Previous industry experience would be considered. Your enrolment is subject to a successful interview, positive references/report evidencing excellent attendance, behaviour and attitude and successful completion of 3 taster sessions to include assessment of your underpinning knowledge and technical ability.

  • What progression options will I have?

    Opportunities include progression into employment or alternatively an additional opportunity could be progression into Higher Education to study Level 4 qualifications in Advanced Techniques such as: City & Guilds Level 4 Certificate in Advanced Theatrical and Media Make-up. Level 4 qualification in Advanced Techniques or Management, Level 4 Diploma in Management Practice and Advanced Techniques in the Hair and Beauty Sector - Theatrical and Media Make-up. Attend University to study subjects such as Theatrical and Media studies, Fashion and Photographic Degree or an Art Degree at University. This qualification could lead to employment as a:

    • Theatre make-up artist

    • Film make-up artist

    • TV make-up artist

    • Make-up designer

    • Product developer

    • Entrepreneur
  • What costs are involved?

    Tuition Fees: 16-18 - free 19+ Advanced Learning Loan - £3325 Exam and Registration Fees (payable by all aged 19 and over): £130

    This course may also attract additional costs, for example, kit, uniform, trips or books, that all students will be required to pay. Please contact the College for further details.

  • How will I be assessed?

    To achieve the Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects and Media Make-up Artistry candidates must successfully complete both mandatory assessment components.

    • One externally set, internally marked, externally moderated practical synoptic assignment. The assignment requires candidates to identify and use effectively in an integrated way an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories, and knowledge from across the content area. Candidates will be judged against the assessment objectives.
    • One externally set, externally marked written test. The exam is designed to assess the candidates depth and breadth of understanding across content in the qualification at the end of the period of learning, using a range of question types and will be sat under invigilated examination conditions. In addition, candidates must achieve the mandatory employer involvement requirement for this qualification before they can be awarded a qualification grade