I-Chun Hsiao
Senior Lecturer in Hair, Make Up & Prosthetics
level:UG;top_up:false;international:true;foundation:true;clearing:false;full_time:true;part_time:true;start_month:September;location:Waterside
Hair, Make-Up and Prosthetics for Stage and Screen BA (Hons)
Key Facts
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UCAS Code
BA: W452
BA with Foundation: W453 -
Duration
Full Time: 3 years
Full Time Foundation: 4 years
Part Time: 4 - 6 years
-
BBC at A-Level or,
DDM at BTEC -
Full Time: £9,535
Part Time: £1,585 (per 20 credits)
Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535
Updated 04/12/2025
Updated 04/12/2025
Get in touch
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Our Hair, Make-Up and Prosthetics for Stage and Screen degree at the University of Northampton is specifically designed to provide you with a varied practical skills-set. The course aims to prepare you for a career within the make-up and special effects sector of the ever-growing creative industries. With a placement opportunity and a focus on the etiquettes of industry environments, this hair, make-up and prosthetics course has a strong employability focus. Alongside practical and employability skills, the programme provides historical and cultural academic contextualisation of hair, make-up and prosthetics across a range of stage and screen contexts.
For satisfied with feedback in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
Guardian Data from the 2026 Fine Art Subject table.
Highlights
- A range of teaching and learning deliveries from practical workshops to interactive small group seminars.
- Opportunity to be taught by a team of both industry experts and published academic researchers.
- Gain actual industry experience and put what you have learnt into practice via a work placement element to the course.
- Be taught in our specially designed hair and make-up studio and prosthetics lab with industry standard facilities to prepare you for a career working in the make-up, hair and prosthetics sectors of the creative industries
- Build out your creative portfolio and boost your future employability
- Discover more about this hair, make-up and prosthetics degree with our Introducing Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Stage and Screen video on YouTube.
- Guaranteed paid internship in accordance with the Northampton Employment Promise*
- HP laptop and software included with this course for eligible students* (*see Eligibility criteria and Terms and Conditions)
Students practice hair styling techniques in UON's hair and make up studios.
Our industry-standard hair and make up studios feature a wide selection of equipment.
Student sculps a mask in clay in UON's studios.
A make-up artist applies make up to a model in UON's studios
UON's studios and workshops are industry standrad with exceptional equipment resources.
Students practice hair styling techniques in UON's hair and make up studios.
Student at work in UON's prosthetic studio.
Our industry-standard hair and make up studios and workshops feature a wide selection of equipment.
Entry Requirements
A typical offer for this course would be:
- BBC at A-Level or,
- DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or,
- Merit at T Level
We also welcome applications from a range of non-traditional education or professional qualifications, and also applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.
The University of Northampton now offers on a range of our courses an alternative route to study; the integrated foundation year (IFY). Admission to this foundation programme is normally:
- DEE at A-Level or,
- MPP at BTEC,
- Pass (D or E) at T Level
However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the programme you wish to study.
All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
for study at undergraduate level.
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
For information on how to apply to study with us as an International student, please see our How to Apply for International Study page.
What You'll Learn
Compulsory Modules
The purpose of this module is to equip students with foundational knowledge and skills for the application of Make-Up within the context of the stage and screen industries through an introduction to essential key techniques, approaches, tools, etiquettes and methods used within the industry.
The purpose of this module is to equip students with foundation knowledge, and skills of hair styling, within the context of the stage and screen industries complimenting the skill gained in relation to make-upThis will be achieved through an introduction to key industry styling techniques, approaches, tools, etiquettes and methods.
The purpose of this module is to provide students with an historical introduction to the function of make-up and hair orientated special effects in the stage and screen industries in reproducing, representing and communicating identity in a variety of cultural contexts.
The purpose of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to explore fantasy transformation techniques within the context of the stage and screen industries through an introduction to essential key techniques, approaches, tools, etiquettes, and methods used within the industryYou will enhance your transferable skills working in collaboration with your peers.
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.
At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.
If you join our full time Hair and Make-up degree, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.
Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your degree, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.
To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.
*UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).
The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.
If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need to successfully progress to the full award.
Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.
How will I be taught?
Teaching on the Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics degree will be delivered through small group seminars, interactive workshops, individual and small group tutorials both face-to face and online, individual supervision and independent study.
How will I be assessed?
The majority of the course will be assessed through practical assignments and presentations which will equate to approximately 70% of your final grade. There will also be written assessments in the form of reflective sketchbooks, critical portfolios, character and case studies and essays. Finally, there is a work based placement assessment and this, along with all other written assessments, will equate to approximately 30% of your final grade.
Is it worth doing a Hair, Make-Up and Special Effects course?
If you are interested in a career within the stage and screen sector, studying a hair, make-up and prosthetics course will provide you with a wealth of practical skills and industry experience.
The work experience opportunities can be invaluable when it comes to making contacts within the industry and gaining a future route into the profession.
Will I need to buy any materials or equipment to study this course?
You will be required to purchase a Make Up and Hair kit which could cost up to £650 depending on the items you purchase. The cost of materials is of an individual nature depending on the areas you decide to specialise in as you progress through the programme.
Will I have access to any specialist facilities/ features?
There will be access to:
- Bespoke hair, make-up and prosthetic rooms that are stimulating and at the same time practical, safe and ideal for learning the craft of hair, make-up & prosthetics
- Lecturers with both professional experience as Make-up Artists and Prosthetic Creators and academic theoretical knowledge of the sector and history of effects for stage and screen.
- Guest lectures, workshops and employability orientated events led by industry figures who have worked on a number of high profile projects within the industry.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
- UK – Full Time: £9,535
- UK – Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
- UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535
- International – Full Time: £15,700
- International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,700
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.
You are expected to purchase an introductory make-up and hair kit for the course which will support you throughout the programme. Our 2025/26 bespoke kit has a value of £650 and is supplied by TILT Professional Makeup. This is part funded by the University and can be purchased via our online shop for a discounted price of £350; this can be purchased once you have a confirmed place to study with us.
All consumables and essential items not included in your introductory kit and that are required for module delivery are provided to you throughout your studies. We ensure you have access to the appropriate materials and resources to demonstrate module learning outcomes.
The cost of other materials vary on an individual basis. These would be deemed ‘additional extras’ for non-essential elements to enhance your work. Optional additional costs may include props, costume, and styling items for creating holistic assessment pieces. If you choose not to include these optional extras in your work, you will not be impacted in any way. Operating in this way, enables students to work within their own individual budget allowances and the cost implications are individual to the nature of the work being undertaken.
We do advise that our students obtain their own liability insurance to support any external work placement undertaken over the summer of second year and into the final year of studies whereby work experience is mandatory. Student policies are available via BECTU, however, internal work placements are covered by the University policies.
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK – Full Time: £9,250
- UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
- UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250
- International – Full Time: £15,200
- International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200
Staff
Anthony Stepniak
Senior Lecturer in Media & Cultural Theory
Laura Cotterill
Senior Lecturer in Hair, Make Up & Prosthetics
Tom Brassington
Lecturer in Screen Studies
Careers and Employability
Upon successful completion of this degree at the University of Northampton, students will be equipped with both practical skills and theoretical contextual knowledge of the Hair, Make-Up and Prosthetics Creative Industries to work as (but not limited to):
- Make-up artists and assistants
- Specialist hair stylists
- Wig designers
- Prosthetics artists.
