Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television with foundation year - BA (Hons)

University of Greater Manchester

Are you eager to bring characters to life through make-up, hair and prosthetics? Our BA (Hons) Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television with foundation year programme helps you build creative, practical and academic confidence while developing the specialist skills needed for special make-up effects for film and television. Learn from experienced staff, benefit from industry input and develop your work in specialist facilities as you prepare for a future career in the screen industries.Special make-up effects is a specialist profession within the film and television industries. It combines creative artistry with technical skill to transform performers into characters and help bring stories to life on screen. Our programme develops your hair and make-up artistry alongside specialist skills in face scanning, digital and traditional sculpting, mouldmaking, prosthetic casting, hair punching, wig making and special make-up effects application techniques.Graduates from Special Make-up Effects at the University of Greater Manchester have gone on to work across the film and television industry, with credits including Masters of the Universe (2026), Amazon Prime’s The Rings of Power Season 2, Napoleon (2023), Ackley Bridge and Coronation Street. They have also gained professional experience working at major UK studios including Pinewood, Leavesden and Sky Studios Elstree.The foundation year gives you the opportunity to develop a broad range of creative, practical and academic skills alongside students from other creative subject areas. Through practical projects you will explore drawing, photography, sculpture, character design and digital image making. You will also strengthen your research, communication and presentation skills. These skills will help support the development of your ideas and encourage reflection on your creative work while building confidence in presenting it. Collaborative and individual projects are also introduced in the foundation year, allowing you the opportunity to experiment with different creative approaches and prepare you for progression to studying Special Make-up Effects for Film and Television.As you progress through the programme, you’ll have opportunities to work alongside students from other creative subject areas and respond to live briefs with feedback from industry professionals. You’ll also explore how special make-up effects fits within the wider film and television industries, helping you understand the creative, technical and professional context in which your work will be used.By studying for your degree at the University of Greater Manchester, 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.

Film FX