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Free Level 3 Theatrical, Special Effects and Media Makeup Course in Manchester – Harpurhey Campus

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyVTCT awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 3 Theatrical, Special Effects and Media Make Up Course in Manchester. Classes run full-time at Harpurhey Campus, five days a week during the day, over one year. This theatrical, special effects and media make up qualification develops your practical skills to an advanced level across media, theatre, performing arts, fashion and photographic industries. You'll cover techniques including airbrush make up, prosthetics, bald caps, camouflage make up, and hair styling. Work experience is built into the course, with support to find a relevant placement.

Who this course is for

Our Level 3 Theatrical, Special Effects and Hair and Media Make-up qualification is designed to develop your skills as a professional make-up artist working with performers to a high level, enabling you to provide hair and make-up services in the media, theatre, performing arts, fashion and photographic industries.

This Diploma has been specifically designed to develop your practical skills to an advanced level through a variety of techniques.

During this qualification you'll study a range of units including media, special effects and camouflage make-up, applying ready-made small prosthetic pieces and bald caps, monitoring and maintaining health and safety, client care and communication, styling and fitting a postiche and how to apply the complex skill of airbrush make-up.

What you will learn

  • You'll apply media, special effects and camouflage make up techniques to a professional standard.
  • You'll fit and apply ready-made prosthetic pieces and bald caps.
  • You'll use airbrush make up equipment with precision.
  • You'll style and fit a postiche (hairpiece).
  • You'll monitor and maintain health and safety in a professional make up environment.
  • You'll develop client care and communication skills for working with performers.
  • You'll build the skills to work across film, TV, theatre, fashion and photographic settings.

How you will learn

You'll be assessed through observation of your practical performance, written assignments and online exams. Teaching is classroom based at Harpurhey Campus, with hands-on practice central to the course. Work experience is a required part of the programme, and you'll be supported in finding a placement relevant to your studies.

What you will need to bring

You'll need to purchase a make up kit and a uniform before the course begins. Approximate costs will be confirmed at your interview. Harpurhey Campus will let you know anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Make up artist in film and TV production
  • Theatre make up artist working with performers on stage
  • Freelance make up artist for fashion and editorial shoots
  • Photographic make up artist for studio and location work
  • Special effects make up artist for film and TV
  • Hair and make up artist in the performing arts industry
  • Make up artist on commercial and advertising productions

What you could study next

  • Degree-level courses in Art, Media and Make-Up at UCEN Manchester, for those who want to specialise further or move into creative direction.
  • Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) in a related creative or media subject, building toward roles in production design or art direction.
  • Short specialist courses in advanced prosthetics or wig-making, to deepen a specific technical skill.
Apply on tmc.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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