Top Makeup Courses in London
Brushstroke is a top private makeup school in London offering professional makeup courses within two famous film and TV studios. We offer national and international qualifications. Train at the UK’s best makeup school for careers in film, television, and stage.
Longcross Film Studios
Elstree Film & TV Studios
Private Training Academy
Enrolling now for our 2 Year BTEC ITEC Diploma Course starting 26th September at Elstree Studios and 3rd October 2022 at Longcross Studios. To book a visit call: +44 (0) 1344 635 522
Accredited Make up Courses In London
Brushstroke Make-up School has provided the highest caliber make up courses and professional make-up artist training for careers in film, theatre, and stage for over 32 years. We are London’s top makeup training academy offering national and international makeup qualifications including BTEC (Level 3 Diploma), ITEC (Level 3 Diploma), VTCT (Level 2 Diploma), and HND (Higher National Diploma – Level 5).
In fact, we were voted by The Stage as one of the “best training routes for getting into hair and makeup for stage and screen”. Our private make up courses range from makeup diplomas with BTEC, ITEC, VTCT and HND makeup qualifications to special effects (SFX) makeup and prosthetics. Our students leave Brushstroke with excellent preparation for a successful career in makeup artistry.
Brushstroke was the first-ever makeup school to run from a film studio. We have now moved 10 minutes away from Shepperton Studios to Longcross Film Studios and Elstree Television and Film Studios with an additional administrative office in Pinewood Studios. Longcross offers students much larger facilities than our original home in Shepperton, in a self-contained building of 5’000 sq ft, and with 65’000 wig stock split between our two studios. Longcross is a quick trip on the Reading to Waterloo line, with direct access to the studios from the Longcross platform. Our Elstree studio facilities are a quick 10-minute walk from Elstree and Borehamwood Station.
In comparison to University, Brushstroke’s make up courses offer more practical hours of training along with industry-standard certification (see student’s achievements).
Train at Famous UK Film and TV Studios
Choose From A Range of Accredited Make-up Courses



2 Year Makeup and Hair Course
(BTEC & ITEC Level 3 Diploma)
This BTEC Level 3 Diploma course, is recommended for ages 16+ as a continuation of education from school, college or university.
Next Start Date at Elstree Studios: 26 September 2022
Next Start Date Longcross Studios: 03 October 2022
(Enrolment for this course is open now)
Times: Mon-Thurs (10:30 – 16:00)
1 Year Hairdressing, Barbering
(VTCT Level 2 Diploma)
Our 1-Year (Full Time) Hairdressing and Barbering Course, is an optional 1-Year extension of our 2-year BTEC makeup and hair course – taught by Toni & Guy trained tutors – giving you the skills to start work as stylists.
Next Start Date at Longcross Studios: 03 October 2022
(Enrolment for this course is open now)
Times: Mon-Thurs (10:30 – 16:00)
HND Level 5 Diploma
(Performing Arts- Makeup)
This course is an optional 1-year extension of the 2-Year BTEC Makeup & Hair Course. This is equivalent to the first and second years of a university degree.
Next Start Date Longcross Studios: 03 October 2022
(Enrolment for this course is open now)
Next Start Date at Elstree Studios: 26 September 2022
Times: Mon-Thurs (10:30 – 16:00)
7-Month Makeup and Hair Course
(ITEC Level 3 Diploma)
This shorter 7-Month makeup course is ideal for international students looking to study in London or change their careers.
Next Start Date at Longcross Studios: 12 September 2022
(Enrolment for this course is open now)
Next Start Date at Elstree Studios: 10 October 2022
Times: Mon-Thurs (10:30 – 16:00)
Short Makeup and Hairdressing Courses
A selection of 7 hair and makeup artist short courses that comprise the 7-month course. These short make up courses are ideal for international students, or people looking to change career by gaining the necessary skills and techniques to work in the industry.
Next Start: See Course Dates For Longcross and Elstree Studios
Times: Mon-Thurs (10:30 – 16:00)
3 Day Special Effects Taster Course
Ideally for prospective students 14 to 15 years of age
This is a perfect stepping stone before attending our 2 year professional BTEC make up and hair course commencing September/October
Next Start Date at Elstree Studios: 30 May to 1 June 2022
Next Start Date at Longcross Studios: 30 May to 1 June 2022
Times: Mon-Wed (10:30 – 15:30)
Make Training At Our Two World Famous Film Studios
Brushstroke is the first makeup training academy to offer students training and aftercare in two national film studios. Situated in South London and North London we cover the whole of the city of London with very easy direct access from surrounding counties.
Longcross Film Studios
Our South London Makeup Academy
Longcross Film Studios is one of the UK’s largest film studios. With huge stage buildings ranging from 2,000 to 13,000 square feet, and over 200 acres of backlot space, it is a truly phenomenal setting for epic feature films and TV shows. Productions filmed here include Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Fast & Furious 6, Captain Phillips, Thor 2, John Carter and numerous others including Call The Midwife, Warhorse, Death on the Nile, Killing Eve 3 and The Witcher. Longcross Studios is also now the new home for our make up courses. Longcross is a quick train journey from London Waterloo taking you right into the studios.
Elstree Film & TV Studios
Our North London Makeup Academy
Widely regarded as London’s No. 1 film studio, the birthplace of Star Wars, and some of the most famous films worldwide. Elstree Studios, our new home for our make up courses, is opening a wide set of opportunities for Brushstroke makeup artists. Some of the productions shot at Elstree studios include Little Mix – The Search, Big Brother, Love Island, The Voice, Dancing on Ice, Eastenders, Suffragette, The King’s Speech, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, World War Z, The World’s End, Paddington and The Crown. Getting here is easy – it’s just 20 minutes from central London with a 10-minute walk to the studios.
Training for Makeup Careers in Film, Fashion, TV and Stage
Brushstroke is a natural choice for aspiring makeup artists. We specialise in providing longer courses that train students with the necessary skills to launch successful careers as a professionally trained makeup artist in the film, TV, and fashion industry. In fact, many of the students on our certified make up courses have gone on to successful careers makeup assistants to designers. Our graduates are currently working within these studios (as well as around the globe) on productions like Eastenders, The Crown, Dancing on Ice, The Voice, and many other productions.
Hallmarks of Brushstroke Makeup School

Shepperton Film Studios
Brushstroke was the first makeup school to be based at a film studio. In our 30 years at Shepperton film studios, our former home, it offered our students access to the starlight and glamour of some the worlds most-loved films and media talent.

Working With Celebrities
One of the great things about studying at Brushstroke is that you are bound to brush paths with celebrities. Our students have worked around the globe with celebrities for red carpet, magazines, music video and cat walks including fashion week.

Pinewood Film Studios
Pinewood Film Studios is one of our administrative offices. The career options for makeup artists graduating from Brushstroke are endless; from films and TV to Westend stage shows, to your favourite soap. Brushstroke provides you with the platform to build your skills for a successful career.
☎ Office Number: 01753656542
Our Makeup Courses (BTEC, ITEC, VTCT & HND)
Professional Makeup Training
Brushstroke makeup school has a reputation for insightful and in-depth makeup artist training that turns our students into sharp and versatile professionals. Brushstroke professional makeup training is of the very highest standard delivered by our tutors who are themselves professional makeup artists working in different parts of the entertainment world. Our students receive the amount of relevant practical, hands-on teaching that only a specialist training provider such as Brushstroke can provide.
Student Work
Brushstroke makeup artist training will give you every opportunity to get on the credits of some of the biggest films and most-loved TV programmes – just like many of our tutors and students. This includes international students who benefit from Brushstroke training through our diploma courses and short makeup courses. Our purpose-built makeup training facilities are the largest in the UK and Europe and located within the dynamic film complex of Longcross Studios and Elstree Studios. So you’ll be immersed in the world of entertainment right from the start.
A varied career and a good living await you as a school leaver or career changer. All you need is enthusiasm, a willingness to succeed. And of course Brushstroke makeup artist training.
Brushstroke In The Press: Absolute Hertfordshire
Brushstroke was recently featured in Absolute Hertfordshire where we were delighted to be mentioned as the ‘first make-up training company to be based within a film studio’. To read the full article, which discusses our accredited ITEC, BTEC, and VTCT courses, click the link below and flick through to page 113.