BA (Hons) Make-Up and Hair Design (Full Time)

This creative, conceptual and forward-thinking course seeks to treat the body as a canvas, equipping you with the skills and knowledge for an exciting career in make-up and hair design.

UCAS codes

2013 Entry

  • Three years Standard EntryW453

2012 Entry

  • Three years Standard EntryW453

Entry level

2013

240 UCAS tariff points to come from A Levels or equivalent qualifications (for example, Level 3 National Diplomas/Awards).

Mature applicants may be considered based on relevant experience, without having the required tariff points.
UK applicants are expected to attend a portfolio interview.

Overseas and EU applicants will be requested to provide an e-portfolio and participate in a Skype interview. 

2012

Click here for Entry Requirements|

You will normally be invited to a portfolio viewing.

Modes of study

  • Full Time

In my view

“Through a mix of both practical and academic studies, we gain knowledge from true industry professionals, giving us a good insight into the industry itself before graduating and working as a professional make-up artist. We also gain first-hand experience in work placements.”

India Myott, Student

Career opportunities

Graduates from this degree combine high-level creativity with a passion for design and fashion, as well as technical skills in hair and make-up.

To be successful in this competitive industry, you need to be an excellent team player who is happy to work to tight deadlines. Most graduates will start as trainees or assistants, with the longer-term aim of becoming image consultants, stylists or make-up and hair designers in film, TV and music industries.

Potential employers will expect to see a well-developed and relevant portfolio of work. Graduates can improve their chances of developing their portfolio by making contacts in the industry and by gaining relevant experience alongside their degree studies.

The degree provides a range of career options in industries such as publishing, cosmetics, advertising, fashion, music, film, performance and TV, in a variety of roles.

Career paths include: 

  • image consultant 
  • stylist 
  • make-up and hair designer/artist 
  • features editor/copywriter 
  • beauty editor 
  • advertising and editorial assistant 
  • make-up and beauty brand development 
  • trend forecasting for beauty and fashion 
  • blogging and creative director.

Want to know more?

Tel: +44 (0)23 8031 9653Email: fcis.registry@solent.ac.uk

International recruitment Tel: +44(0)23 8031 9129 Email: international@solent.ac.uk|

2013

Course overview

abbottThis creative, conceptual and forward-thinking course will support you in learning high-level professional design skills which seek to treat the body as a canvas. In turn, this will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed for an exciting career in make-up and hair design.

You will learn how to research and develop make-up and hair design concepts and see these through to design realisation. You will work in a high-specification make-up and hair design studio for practical make-up workshops, as well as have the opportunity to work on location.

You will develop skills in photography and image retouching, and come to understand the impact of social and cultural theory on design practices through historical and contemporary contextual studies. Live industry projects and client based work will enhance your understanding of commercial and creative innovation and professional skills, and create an awareness of leading industry figures.

Covering pre-production planning, script research and scheduling, scene story boarding, character development, researching and presenting ideas, business skills, designing colour palettes, lighting techniques and photographic styling, the course will give you a broad range of specialised industry -standard skills.

Watch the video now|

Industrial focus

Projects and client-based work will inform the link between innovation and industry requirements. The production of a professional portfolio will be particularly important for those graduates aiming to work as freelance practitioners or consultants.

The emphasis of all Solent Fashion courses is on employability, encouraging students in all years to take part in work experience and live projects with fashion industry partners.

Course content

Five core units
  • Styling for Music, Film and Photography
  • Make-up and Hair (Music, Film and Photography)
  • Lights, Camera, Action
  • Styling for Stage, Screen and Television
  • Contextual Studies – Historical.

Year 2

Four core units and one option unit:

  • Contextual Studies – Contemporary
  • Freelance and Industry Management
  • Make-up and Hair Design (Music, Film and Photography)
  • Fashion Styling (Lens-based).

Option Units:

  • Interpreting Narrative
  • Curriculum Plus.

Year 3

Four core units and one option unit:

  • Professional Context
  • Major Project – Research and Development
  • Major Project – Production and Evaluation
  • Portfolio Construction.

Options:

  • Dissertation
  • Dissertation and Practice.

Why choose Solent?

This course offers collaboration, business skills, industry experience and a fusion of passion with vision and practical skills – all led by an innovative, industry-experienced creative team. 

  • Students from the largest creative faculty outside of London mix and share activities (for example, design, film and TV, performance, photography), providing opportunities for collaboration and creating an exciting combination of skills and talent. 
  • Dedicated industry-standard specialist make-up and hair design facilities, photographic studios, IT suites and research resource centre. 
  • Strong industry links enhance employment opportunities for new graduates. 
  • Supported by make-up company, Illamasqua. 
  • A unique course driven by a dedicated, research- and industry-active, innovative and creative team. 

Assessment

Mix of live, practical and theoretical projects (individual and group), written assignments, case studies, presentations and portfolio projects.

Projects/work experience

Live projects, competitions, masterclasses, demonstrations and client-based work (for example, working with IMATS, Free Range, Illamasqua and Mistair).

Key career skills

Creative thinking, presentation, research, project management, design realisation, verbal, visual and digital communication, problem solving, collaboration and negotiation.

Graduate quotes

Stephanie Birkholm, Graduate

“Make-up and Hair Design at Solent University helped me become the make-up artist I am today. It'’s a fantastic university to study at, because it offers all the mediums, workspace and photography studios to help you create your visions.

“The tutors all have industry experience, meaning that they give a rare insight into what’s expected in today’s industry. They’re also friendly, supportive and encourage you to always take that extra step creatively. They help you grow in confidence too. It’s the ideal step to take before you face the real world and begin your career in make-up and hair design.”

Lucy Barnes, Graduate

“Solent not only helped me develop my make-up skills, but it developed me as a person. It helped me nurture an artistic eye, making me view the world as creative inspiration.
“The tutors were the driving forces behind my learning, pushing me to be better and also becoming my reason for wanting to do better. Solent is a great place to learn and to become the person you want to be, with the best people around you for support.”

Industry quote

Alex Box, creative director at Illamasqua, on the final major project of Kat Sykes, graduate and Illamasqua prize winner:

“It is a truly innovative piece, presenting both meticulous attention to detail and conceptual flare, seeing the face as a three-dimensional canvas and blurring the boundaries of what we see and use as make-up. I love it!"”

Partner Affiliation Network

The Partner Affiliation Network is a group of companies aligned to each course area in the School of Design with the purpose of supporting a range of activities to help students engage with employers and gain relevant industrial experience. This is achieved through live project work, design competitions, work placements and guest speaker programmes.

All students studying on this course programme will have the opportunity to work with industry.

 

2012

Course overview

abbottThis creative, conceptual and forward thinking course will support you in learning high-level professional design skills which seek to treat the body as a canvas. In turn, this will equip you with the skills and knowledge ready for an exciting career in make-up and hair design.

You will learn how to research, develop make-up and hair design concepts and see these through to design realisation. You will work in a high specification make-up and hair design studio for practical make-up workshops as well as have the opportunity to work on location. You will develop skills in photography and image retouching and come to understand the impact of social and cultural theory on design practices through historical and contemporary contextual studies. Live industry projects and client based work will create links between commercial and creative innovation, professional skill set and awareness of leading industry figures.

Skills in pre-production planning, script research and scheduling, scene story boarding, character development, researching and presenting ideas, business skills, designing colour palettes, lighting techniques and photographic styling will give you a broad range of specialised industry standard skills.

Watch the video now|

Industrial focus

Projects and client-based work will inform the link between innovation and industry requirements. The production of a professional portfolio will be particularly important for those graduates aiming to work as freelance practitioners or consultants.

"It is a truly innovative piece, presenting both meticulous attention to detail and conceptual flare, seeing the face as a three dimensional canvas and blurring the boundaries of what we see and use as make-up, I love it!" 
Alex Box, Creative Director at Illamasqua on the final major project of Kat Sykes - graduate and Illamasqua prize winner.

Course content

Year 1

Five core units:

  • Styling for Music, Film and Photography
  • Make-up and Hair (Music, Film and Photography)
  • Lights, Camera, Action
  • Styling for Stage, Screen and Television
  • Contextual Studies – Historical.

Year 2

  • Contextual Studies – Contemporary
  • Freelance and Industry Management
  • Make-up and Hair Design (Music, Film and Photography)
  • Interpreting Narrative – option
  • Curriculum Plus – option
  • Fashion Styling (Lens based).

Year 3

Four core units and one option:

  • Dissertation – Option
  • Professional Context
  • Major Project – Research and Development
  • Major Project – Production and Evaluation
  • Portfolio Construction. 

Why choose this course?

  • A unique course with a strong industrial focus.
  • Students from all Solent's fashion courses mix and share activities, creating an exciting fusion of skill and talent.
  • Dedicated studio space with specialist facilities, photographic studios, IT, and live stage and performance work.
  • Strong industry links enhance employment opportunities for new graduates.
  • Supported by make-up company, Illamasqua.

Assessment

Mix of live, practical and theoretical projects (individual and group), written assignments, case studies, presentations and portfolio projects.

Key career skills

Creative thinking, presentation, project management, communication and problem solving.

Projects/work experience

Live projects and client-based work (for example, Solent fashion show). 

Partner Affiliation Network

The Partner Affiliation Network is a group of companies aligned to each course area in the School of Design with the purpose of supporting a range of activities to help students engage with employers and gain relevant industrial experience. This is achieved through live project work, design competitions, work placements and guest speaker programmes.

All students studying on this course programme will have the opportunity to work with industry.