Make-Up & Hair Design BA (Hons)

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Make-Up & Hair Design program at UCA Epsom equips students with comprehensive skills in make-up and hair artistry for the fashion industry. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge, practical workshops, and industry placements, graduates are prepared for diverse careers as hair and makeup artists, beauty therapists, and more. The program emphasizes creativity, experimentation, and individual expression, fostering the development of unique artistic identities within the fashion image-making industry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

BA (Hons) Make-Up & Hair Design

is a three-year undergraduate degree offered at UCA Epsom. It is designed by and for make-up and hair professionals, with an emphasis on work in the fashion industry, including for editorial, advertorial, and moving image. The program focuses on creating impactful fashion images through make-up and hair artistry. It covers the history of fashion and cosmetics and their relevance to today's fashion image-making discourse. Students learn about make-up, skincare, and beauty products and how to use them in artistic and unconventional ways. The curriculum emphasizes equal development of hair and make-up skills, equipping students to create head pieces, master airbrushing techniques, and explore body paint. They learn how to generate ideas, develop creative projects, and experiment with various mediums to express their individuality.

Outline:

The BA (Hons) Make-Up & Hair Design program consists of three years of study. It offers a variety of modules that provide a comprehensive and practical education in make-up and hair design. Year 1 focuses on foundational skills and knowledge. It introduces students to the diverse world of makeup and hair professionals through the "Guest Speakers Series". They also delve into the business aspect of the industry with modules like "Business of Fashion". Year 2 delves deeper into specialized skills and industry practices. Students participate in an intensive "Career Week", exploring career opportunities and preparing CVs and cover letters. In year 3, students work on their "Final Project", a substantial project that showcases their individual style and professional skills. They can choose to work in various formats, such as editorial work, film series, digital media projects, installations, or even product development. Throughout the program, students engage in "ATOM activities" - small learning opportunities that broaden their creative horizons. They also build a digital and/or physical portfolio showcasing their skills and projects. In Year 2, they undertake a work-based placement, gaining valuable industry experience.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods to evaluate students' learning and development. These include:

• Coursework: This includes written assignments, essays, presentations, and creative projects.
• Examinations: These may be written or practical exams.
• Portfolio: The portfolio serves as a comprehensive record of the student's progress and achievements throughout the program.
• Practical demonstrations: Students demonstrate their skills in various make-up and hair techniques through practical assessments.
The assessment methods and criteria vary depending on the specific modules. However, they generally assess the student's knowledge, understanding, practical skills, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and professionalism.

Teaching:

The program boasts experienced academics and technicians actively working in the industry. They provide expert guidance and mentorship throughout the program. Guest speakers from various backgrounds share their insights and inspire creativity. The teaching methods are diverse and engaging. They involve lectures, seminars, workshops, practical sessions, group discussions, and one-on-one tutorials. Students also receive feedback from peers through critiques and presentations. The program fosters a collaborative environment, encouraging interaction between students and faculty. It provides access to state-of-the-art facilities, including fully equipped makeup and hair studios, photography studios, and digital media suites.

Careers:

Graduates of the program are prepared for diverse careers in the fashion and beauty industry. Some possible career paths include:

• Hair and makeup artist
• Support technicians
• Hairstylists
• Beauty therapist
• Retail makeup artists
• Bridal hair and makeup artists
The program provides opportunities to build industry connections through live projects, guest speaker sessions, and work placements. This prepares graduates for a smooth transition into the professional world.

Other:

• Students have opportunities to participate in live projects with renowned fashion brands, such as Harvey Nichols, Shaftesbury PLC, Covent Garden, Carnaby Street, Camden Town, and Zandra Rhodes.
• They also gain valuable industry experience through mandatory placements in the second year, with companies such as Gucci, Vogue, Preen, London Fashion Week, and Wonderland Magazine.
• The program emphasizes individual expression and supports students in developing their own artistic identities.
• It encourages experimentation and creative exploration to push boundaries within the fashion image-making industry.

UK

• Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250
• BA course: £9,250

EU

• Integrated International Foundation Year: £9,250
• BA course: £9,250

International

• Integrated International Foundation Year: £16,950
• BA course: £17,500
If you opt to study the Professional Practice Year, for 2024 you will be required to pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,850. You will also incur additional travel and accommodation costs during your Professional Practice year.