BA (Hons) Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television with foundation year
Course Overview
Many television shows and movies, from biopics to sci-fi, horror, and history, need special make-up effects to enhance their on-screen storytelling. University of Bolton graduates have gone on to work on an array of films and television series, recently including Ackley Bridge, Coronation Street, Ant Man (2023), and Napoleon (2023).Our BA (Hons) Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television with foundation year course will equip you with key practical techniques in both traditional and contemporary methodologies. The course explores digital sculpting, face scanning, hair skills, mouldmaking processes, and prosthetics and make-up application techniques.
The foundation year allows you to discover and strengthen research, design, practical and communication skills that are essential for success as you study Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television. You'll explore an array of core techniques relating to the creative arts industries, including drawing, painting, sculpting, and finishing techniques, investigating both traditional and digital technologies. The foundation year also aims to build your confidence in academic skills such as literature searching, academic referencing and written and oral communication techniques.
As you progress through the course, you'll gain experience collaborating with other creative subject areas, such as modelmaking and creature effects, film and television production, and photography at the university. You'll also have the opportunity to engage with live briefs and feedback from renowned industry professionals. Additionally, you'll undertake contextual studies relating to special make-up effects in film and television, ensuring you have a critical understanding of this creative industry and are prepared to progress in your future career.
By studying for your degree at the University of Bolton, you can develop essential knowledge and understanding of special make-up effects techniques and practices while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focused, multicultural campus. You'll also benefit from our close proximity to two of the most vibrant cities in England: Manchester and Liverpool.
Highlights
- This stimulating programme will support you in gaining focused knowledge and understanding of special make-up effects, prosthetics, hair, and digital design and realisation. Informed by both research and practice, your studies will meet industry needs.
- The curriculum and practice-based assessments reflect the latest industry trends, ensuring your skills are current. Course assignments and projects mimic industry pipelines and standards, so your experience is a realistic preparation for a career in special make-up effects.
- Our make-up workshops and studios are some of the largest you will see in an education setting. They have been designed to mirror key areas of special make-up effects departments in film and television. Our facilities include a casting and moulding room, a computer suite for digital concepting, sculpting studios, make-up and hair application studios and our own photography area with lighting and backdrops.
- The foundation year will support you in strengthening your practical and research techniques to enhance your confidence of progressing your studies of special make-up effects at degree level.
- You don’t have to worry about the cost of the make-up and materials needed to complete your studies. We'll provide the necessary materials and resources for you to complete the course modules.
- Neill Gorton, multi-award winning artist/designer and founder of the world-renowned Millennium FX company, is our Visiting Professor for the Centre of Film FX at the University of Bolton. His astonishing range of professional experience, knowledge of cutting-edge techniques and industry contacts brings enormous benefits.
- BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated prosthetic and make-up effects designer Nick Dudman received a Doctorate of Innovation from the University of Bolton in 2022. Nick continues to support our course by giving guest talks about his fantastic résumé and offering portfolio and project advice.
- We're committed to helping you develop your employability and career network. An exciting benefit of joining the University of Bolton's Centre of Film FX is our 'Industry Week,' during which we book globally recognised industry specialists to demonstrate and discuss their renowned work and give advice on your creative practice.
Key Features
- This programme is informed by a range of industry professionals to ensure that the content is industry-relevant and includes the latest techniques, materials and innovations.
- The course is part of the University's recognised Centre of Film FX. You'll learn to work with creative teams from across our subject areas, preparing you for the multi-team collaboration required in make-up effects departments in the film and television world. You'll create portfolio-worthy practical outcomes and build confidence and experience in simulated industry settings.
- Our dedicated staff team have a wide range of professional experience, industry knowledge, technical expertise and academic credentials, offering you a variety of perspectives and broadening your horizons.
- We offer a warm and friendly environment for your studies and ensure you have a personal tutor with whom you can book tutorials to discuss any support you need.
- We prefer to keep practical classes relatively small, so our studios don't feel overcrowded. This ensures you have plenty of opportunities to ask questions, get individual help, and benefit from the ideas and support offered by your classmates.
- By choosing to study with us, you'll have access to one of the UK's largest film and television-producing regions. Cities and towns across the North West are commonly used as filming locations for Netflix, ITV, and the BBC, and many production companies operate in the area.
Entry Requirements
- 48 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. Creative subjects are strongly preferred.
- You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English.
- You'll be required to attend an interview and provide a portfolio of appropriate work. Your portfolio should demonstrate your skills in a range of relevant creative media and styles.
- The quality of the portfolio/interview is the primary basis on which applicants are selected; therefore, special consideration will be given to applicants without the above qualifications who have a strong portfolio. Relevant work or voluntary experience will also be considered. In these cases, we may ask applicants to undertake additional assessments to determine their suitability for the course.
- 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.
Career Opportunities
The University of Bolton's BA (Hons) Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television with foundation year programme 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?
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
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 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.
How to apply
Home Applicants
If you wish to apply for multiple institutions or multiple courses at Bolton for September entry, then apply through UCAS
You can apply for up to 5 courses through UCAS (at the same or different institutions) for a fee of £27. Alternatively, if you only wish to apply for a single course at a single institution then a reduced applicant's fee of £22.50 is applicable.
The online application form and guidance notes are available on the UCAS website.
You will need the following information to complete your UCAS application form:
Institution Code Name: BOLTN
Institution Code Number: B44
Tel: 0870 1122211
Web: www.ucas.com
If you wish to apply for a single course offered by the University of Bolton for any intake, you can apply directly
If you have carefully considered your course and institution choices and decided that this course is the best option for you, you may apply directly to the University using our online application form shown below.
A direct application to Bolton provides the following features:
Free of charge to apply
Secure, simple and streamlined
Contact us directly for any admissions queries
Regular updates on your application directly from the University
Invites to offer holder events and taster sessions where you can meet your future tutors and get a flavour of university life
NOTE: You cannot apply both through UCAS and directly to Bolton. Submitting an application to any university through UCAS during the same academic year will void any direct application you make to Bolton.
For courses starting in September, please be aware that we are required to share your information with UCAS if we accept you on this course. We will create a simplified UCAS acceptance record on your behalf and return this to UCAS. By submitting your application directly to the University of Bolton, you agree to these terms.
If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.
Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.
If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select the correct application link from the list below.
Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Bolton BA(Hons) Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television - 22 September 2025
International Applicants
Thank you for your interest
In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.
Partner Organisation Applicants
University of Bolton Group Partners
Bolton College
University Collegiate School
Alliance Learning
University of Bolton
For valued members of the University of Bolton Group and progressing students, we try to make our application process as simple and as fast as possible.
If you have carefully considered your course and institution choices and decided that this course is the best option for you, you may apply free of charge to the University. By selecting the appropriate link from the list shown below, you will be taken directly to our online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this, and ensure you upload all supporting documents such as certificates and your personal statement when you apply.
When you are asked to add a contact email address, please ensure you add your college/university email account address as well as your personal address. If you do not add your college address as your contact address, we will be unable to identify you as a partner and offer you the benefits of being part of our group.
NOTE: You cannot apply both through UCAS and directly to Bolton. Submitting an application to any university through UCAS during the same academic year will void any direct application you make to Bolton.
For courses starting in September, please be aware that we are required to share your information with UCAS if we accept you on this course. We will create a simplified UCAS acceptance record on your behalf and return this to UCAS. By submitting your application directly to the University of Bolton, you agree to these terms.
If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.
Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.
If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select the correct application link from the list below.
Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including email addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
-
Apply online: University of Bolton BA(Hons) Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television - 22 September 2025
We look forward to receiving your application and you continuing your academic journey with us!
Teaching & Assessment
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.
- Materials and Processes
- Information and Interpretation
- Digital
- Creative Project
- 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 | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 0 | Coursework 78% Practical exams 22% |
| Level 1 | Coursework 70% Practical exams 30% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 60% Practical exams 30% |
| Level 3 | Coursework 50% Practical exams 50% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 0 | Guided independent study 55% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 45% |
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 59% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 41% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 59% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 41% |
| Level 3 | Guided independent study 68% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 32% |
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.
