- 104 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Relevant creative subjects are preferred.
- You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics.
- You'll be required to attend an interview and provide a portfolio of appropriate work. We'll expect you to present your work and demonstrate your experience. This will usually take the form of a portfolio of recent effects-related (or project-based) work. The quality of your portfolio will be judged alongside traditional UCAS point-bearing qualifications to determine the success of your application. Special consideration is given to applicants without the above qualifications who have a strong portfolio.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
The University of Bolton's BA (Hons) Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television promotes the knowledge and skills the industry expects from graduates wanting to embark on this highly creative career. Throughout the course, we'll support you in gaining recognised practical skills in make-up effects and highly regarded skills in organisation, communication, and professionalism.
As this creative field continually evolves, we also focus on helping you develop curiosity and lifelong learning skills, preparing you to keep up to date with new and upcoming special make-up effects techniques. We'll ensure you're ready to adapt by exploring many of the strategies you'll need to use in your career journey.
What can I do with this qualification?
As a graduate, you may work directly for a production company or be self-employed. You could pursue your career in a workshop-type environment, where for special make-up effects, roles can consist within sculpting, 3D scanning, casting, moulding, silicone repair and hair finishing.
You could also find employment working on set within hair, make-up and special make-up effects departments which can include, wrapping hair for wigs or bald cap applications, taking continuity notes, applying prosthetic pieces, touch ups and maintaining make-up designs during filming and assisting with make-up and prosthetic removal.
Alternative career options
Graduates can use this qualification as a stepping-stone into many other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Possible areas include:
- Medical prosthetics
- Education
- Hair integration systems and wig-making for hair loss
- Digital concepting for clients
- Mannequin making for medical simulation
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year:
EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status.
If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement.
Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the
normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in
March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
Bursaries
Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Bolton students.
We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods to help you achieve your potential, and you can expect our blended style to include practical demonstrations, lectures, seminars, tutorials, self-directed learning, practical workshops, and online learning.
Lectures introduce the core course content, while seminars allow you to explore subjects in greater detail. Practical skills and techniques are gained through technical introduction and support, workshop sessions, demonstrations, and activity-based assignments. Tutorials allow you to ask questions, ensuring you understand the topics covered in lectures and workshop sessions.
Guest lectures and visits give you opportunities to engage with and learn from respected professionals working in areas within or relating to special make-up effects. Our highly practical and project-based approach promotes active learning, and our specialist facilities create realistic industry-like learning environments. Our project modules encourage you to interact and collaborate with students specialising in both your own and other areas of special and visual effects, as well as film and television production, helping to give you a taste of working on group and multidisciplinary projects.
Personal and independent study is essential, and you should expect to devote a significant amount of time to activities such as project work, background reading, preparation for seminars and tutorials, research, design and creative thought.
In terms of assessment, you can expect practical applications, coursework, portfolios investigating practice, case studies, interviews, and presentations. As far as possible, we set project-based coursework that simulates professional situations. These pieces contribute to your final mark and allow you to demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Film and Television Contexts
- The Principles of Make-up and Hair Effects
- Hybrid Design in Make-up Effects
- Screen Industry Careers
- Digital Design and Production for Prosthetic Application
- Prosthetics and Hair Integration
- Research and Planning
- Industry Project
- Major Project
- Professional Practice
Assessment methods
| Level | Assesment method |
|---|
| Level one | Coursework 70%, Practical exams 30% |
|---|
| Level two | Coursework 60%, Practical exams 40% |
|---|
| Level three | Coursework 50%, Practical exams 50% |
|---|
Learning activities
| Level | Learning activity |
|---|
| Level one | Guided independent study 59%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 41% |
|---|
| Level two | Guided independent study 59%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 41% |
|---|
| Level three | Guided independent study 68%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 32% |
|---|
Disclaimer
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
