BTEC Level 3 Makeup & Hair Diploma Course: 2-Year

Optional HNC + ITEC Qualifications

FILM – TV – THEATRE – FASHION

Private Training Academy

Longcross a NETFLIX Studio
Elstree Film & TV Studios

Recommended for ages 16+ as a continuation of education from school, college or university.

Leaving School?

If you don’t achieve your grades in Maths and English, you can still enrol on our 2-year BTEC course and retake your GCSEs at the same time. We are interviewing prospective students for our 2-year BTEC diploma course 2026/2027 intake.

Book an appointment: +44 (0) 20 4611 2172

Showing prospective students around (including school holidays) for enrollment in 2026 & 2027. For availability or to book a visit, call +44 (0) 20 4611 2172 or email us at [email protected]

2-year BTEC Course 2026
Elstree: 21 September 2026 to 06 July 2028
Longcross: 28 September 2026 to 13 July 2028

2-year BTEC Course 2027
Elstree: 20 September 2027 to 05 July 2029
Longcross: 27 September 2027 to 12 July 2029

7-month ITEC Course 2026

Longcross: 21 September 2026 to 22 April 2027

Elstree: 19 October 2026 to 20 May 2027

3-Day Special Effects Taster Course
Elstree - 4, 5, 6 August
Longcross - 3, 4, 5 August 2026
3-Day Instaglam Taster Course
Elstree - 4, 5, 6 August
Longcross - 3, 4, 5 August 2026

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Deposit £3,000 + VAT plus 6 termly payments of £4,000 + VAT

First year termly fees due: August, prior to course commencement. Followed by a November and March payment.

Second year termly fees due: August, prior to the commencement of the second year. Followed by a November and March payment.

A schedule of payment dates can be provided.

We can arrange payment plans to suit your circumstances.

Get in Touch

BTEC Nationals: Level 3 Diploma

BTEC Nationals are the equivalent to A Levels and are the most widely recognised qualification for admission to higher education.

BTECs have the highest rates of learner progression as a vocational qualification. (Source: Department for Business, Innovation & Skills report on Social Mobility: Contribution of Further Education and Skills).

The 2-year Make-up and Hair Course comes under the category of Production Arts (Make-Up).

Don’t let the need to retake your GCSE English or Maths delay your dream of becoming a professional make-up and hair artist. You can enrol on one of our BTEC, ITEC, VTCT, HNC & HND courses and re-take your GCSE exams at the same time

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Are You Thinking of Going to College or University?

Brushstroke offers more practical hours of training within a film studio, as well as industry-standard certificate

Distinction Grades For Our 2-Year Students on Their Prosthetics

Brushstroke Entry Requirements

We are looking for students with a real desire and commitment to learn and achieve the highest standards in make-up and hair artistry.

Students wishing to enrol on the 2-year BTEC Make-up and Hair course must be aged 16+ and have attended an interview. Previous experience is not a requirement as you will start with the basics of every new term.

Aftercare and Ongoing Support

Ongoing support is provided to all our graduates, which enables them to refresh skills on any of our sessions at no additional charge from our south or north London studio locations.

Students with authorised absences from the course for personal reasons or work experience through Brushstroke have the ability to rejoin at a later stage to complete any subjects missed.

This lifelong connection to Brushstroke is particularly important to our BTEC and ITEC students who make a real commitment to developing their professional make-up and hair careers. Once a student has completed one of these courses, we follow up and offer further guidance to help them stay motivated and focused on finding the right job to suit their skills. After all, once a Brushstroke make-up artist, always a Brushstroke make-up artist!

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2-Year Make-up & Hair Course Syllabus: BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Production Arts (Make-up)

* Please note that the order of the terms can be subject to change or courses combined.

Prospectus

1st Year Foundation Diploma (Terms 1,2,3)

Term 1: Make-Up and Hair for Film, TV, and Theatre

Health & Safety and hygiene practices in the make-up room
Studio Etiquette and Professionalism
Anatomy and skincare
Product, tools, and equipment knowledge
Basic and contemporary make-up and hair techniques for all aspects of film, television, and theatre
Period Make-up and hair focusing on a variety of iconic looks throughout the ages
Make-up and hair for supporting artists and crowd room scenes
Timed and fast-track make-up and hair
Practical Assessments for Health and Safety and Basic Make-up and Hair

Term 2: Make-Up and Hair Styling for Film, TV and Theatre

Health & Safety, electrical hair appliances for hairdressing
Product, tools and equipment knowledge
Working with real hair lace and acrylic wigs and hairpieces from our wig department
Basic hairstyling techniques using real hair, training heads and wigs
Period Hairstyling – focusing on a variety of iconic looks throughout the ages using real hair, training heads and a range of wigs and hairpieces. Techniques in cheating period hair styling.
Men’s grooming for film, TV, stage and fashion
Practical assessments for Period Hair and Make-up Module E

Term 3: Fantasy Make-up and Hair and SFX for an Environmental study for Film, TV, and Theatre

Fantasy Hair and Makeup
Afro and Multitextured hairstyling
SFX make-up – using a range of products and techniques to create realistic individual casualties, larger wounds, and effects
Frostbite and other SFX to create an environmental study
Planning a career in the Make-up and Hair Industry
Theatre Make up, including pantomime dame and drag. Discussions in applying mics and how backstage operates in the wig and make up department.
Creative airbrushing
Practical assessments for Module E, Fantasy Hair and Make-up and SFX and Module F, Planning a Career in the Makeup Industry

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Make-up and Hair for Film, TV, and Theatre

2-Year Elstree Graduates Megan (working on Eastenders) and Tahiyya (who also worked on Eastenders and is currently working on This Morning) with the Brushstroke Principal, Cheraine.

2nd Year Extended Diploma (Terms 4,5,6)

Term 4: Advanced Year Fashion Make-up and Hair

Advanced make-up and hair techniques working with different eye shapes and bone structures
Contemporary, stylised period make-up and hair techniques
Session styling and advanced hair styling techniques
Smokey eyes: working with different shapes and colours
Make-up for upcoming seasons and the latest fashion trends
Red carpet and celebrity make-up
Glamour make-up for photographic, editorial, and catwalk
Bronzed sun-kissed make-up looks
Androgynous looks
Matte, gloss, and wet make-up
Neon make-up for use under UV light
Avant-garde make-up
Metallic make-up
Futuristic make-up
Working with gold and silver leaf
Working with diamantes and feathers
Male make-up and grooming
Tattoos: creating and covering
Photoshoot/Personal fashion portfolio development: Students can have the opportunity to work with a professional photographer, however please note, this is optional and an additional charge
Social Media
Personal Promotion
Websites
Editorial Portfolios
Practical assessments for BTEC Module G

Term 5: Hairdressing and Barbering / Hair extensions / Wig Knotting/Bridal Hair and Make-up

Essential Hairdressing and Barbering Skills
Product, tools and equipment knowledge
Terminology, geometry, methodology
Demonstrations and Workshops
Basic cutting skills for ladies with long and short hair
Basic barbering using thinning scissors, clippers and trimmers
Blow-drying and finishing techniques
Applying hair extensions using various modern methods and techniques
Maintenance and cleaning of Air Brushing Compressor and spray brush
Spray brush control and technique
Colour matching, highlighting, contouring, concealing, and correcting
Wig knotting skills: students will learn how to knot a piece of facial hair, apply and dress a moustache, measure for wig fittings and create cling film head wraps
Bridal make-up and Hair – classic and contemporary for photographic and catwalk shows
Production Co-ordination

Term 6: Advanced SFX Make-Up and Prosthetics for a Collaborative Production

Advanced SFX make-up techniques using a range of specialist products
Lifecasting
Sculpting
Art Finishing
Preparing moulds and working with flat moulds
Bald caps: colouring, application and removal (including pre-made)
Students will work together in different roles to produce a character for a Film or TV Production
Practical assessments for BTEC Module H

Course Fees

Deposit: £3,000 + VAT

Fees: Deposit + VAT plus 6 termly payments of £4,000 + VAT

Makeup Kit Included

* deposit is part of the total fee

We can arrange payment plans to suit your individual circumstances.

In accordance with new government legislation, all courses are now subject to VAT as of January 1st. 2025.

Prospectus

Elstree Studio - Makeup Students with Certificates.

Please see below the dates of our 2 Year BTEC Diploma Course

Qualification:
BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Production Arts (Make-Up) + Optional ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Fashion, Theatre and Media Makeup.

Duration:
2 years full-time

2-Year BTEC Course 2026

Elstree Studios: 21 September 2026 to 06 July 2028
Longcross Studios: 28 September 2026 to 13 July 2028

2-Year BTEC Course 2027

Elstree Studios: 20 September 2027 to 05 July 2029
Longcross Studios: 27 September 2027 to 12 July 2029

Times:
Monday to Thursday 10.30 am to 16.00

Fees:
Deposit £3,000 + VAT followed by 6 termly payments of £4,000 + VAT.

Interest-free payment plans are available on all our full-time BTEC and ITEC courses.

You will NOT be required to pay the full fees before the start of the course.

A deposit is required to secure your place, followed by the remaining balance divided into termly payments or instalments spread over the duration of the course.

Methods of payment:
Bacs, cheque, bankers’ draft and debit/credit card.

Complementary equipment: Brushstroke Make-Up and Hair Kit

Study Progression:
Level 2 VTCT Diploma in Women’s Hairdressing and Men’s Barbering Fast Track Full Time (32 weeks) or 1 Year HND Level 5 Diploma.

Skills Learnt on the Course

Media Makeup and Hair

During the first year, we teach you the most important makeup skills that are expected within the industry, starting with sessions of anatomy and skin care and moving on to basic TV presenter make ups. You’ll also study essential hairstyling techniques, wig dressing, fitting, and making. We’ll teach you ways to achieve various period makeup and hair work suitable for period drama.

Airbrushing and Editorial Techniques

Airbrushing and the application of full make-up takes great skill so we take the time on the 2 Year Make-Up & Hair Course to teach our students a variety of techniques for editorial work. For example, spray brush control, colour matching, highlighting and contouring are on the timetable along with equipment cleaning and maintenance.

Advanced Fashion Makeup

We spend time on the 2-year makeup artistry course, helping you sharpen your makeup and hair skills to create advanced high fashion looks for men and women. You’ll focus on creating looks and effects for photographic, editorial, catwalk and celebrity work. This part of the course will prepare you for projects ranging from stylised period and glamour to futuristic and avant garde

Special Effects Makeup & Prosthetics

As a student on the the 2 Year Make-Up & Hair Course, you’ll learn some exciting and impressive special effects make-up techniques. Using a range of specialist products, flat moulds and bald caps you’ll create different effects such as wounds and injuries. The prosthetics sessions will introduce you to life casting, sculpting and moulding to create 3D characters.

Hair styling and Extensions

The versatile makeup artist should also be a skilled hair stylist, which is why our students spend valuable time on this topic. We teach key skills from hair cutting and barbering to styling, finishing and applying all current variations of hair extensions. This means you’ll understand shape and form and the correct use of different products, tools and equipment.

Business Skills

Our students get tips and advice to help them master the business side of their careers as make-up artists. So, for example, we teach them about continuity, schedules, script break-downs and studio etiquette. We also help them with their own business issues, such as insurance and accounts, as well as self-promotion and how to create an excellent portfolio.

FAQ's About 2-Year BTEC Makeup Course

1. How long is the course?

The course is 2 years full-time, delivered over 6 terms. Classes run Monday to Thursday, 10:30am to 4:00pm. There are separate intakes at:

Elstree Studios: starts 22 September 2025 (ends 1 July 2027)

Longcross Studios: starts 29 September 2025 (ends 8 July 2027)

2. Who is the course suitable for?

Recommended for ages 16+ as a continuation of education from school, college or university. It’s aimed at those serious about becoming professional make-up and hair artists for film, TV, theatre, fashion, and other media.

3. What are the entry requirements?

Must be 16 or over.

Attend an interview.

No prior experience required; training starts from fundamentals and builds progressively.

If you haven’t achieved grades in English or Maths, you can still enrol and retake those GCSEs concurrently.

4. What is covered on this course?

Extensive, industry-relevant practical and theoretical training across two academic years, including:

Year 1 (Foundation – Terms 1–3):
Make-up and hair for film, TV, theatre

Health & safety, studio professionalism, anatomy & skincare

Period make-up and hairstyling

Fantasy make-up, SFX, environmental effects

Afro/multitextured hair, creative airbrushing

Career planning and industry preparation

Year 2 (Extended – Terms 4–6):
Advanced fashion and editorial make-up

Celebrity, red carpet, avant-garde, neon, metallic, and futuristic looks

Hairdressing, barbering, extensions, wig knotting

Advanced SFX and prosthetics (lifecasting, sculpting, moulds, bald caps)

Collaborative production work to create characters for film/TV

Plus ongoing portfolio development, business skills (continuity, scripts, self-promotion), and optional progression pathways.

5. Does this course come with a kit?

Yes. At the beginning of the course you receive a complimentary professional make-up and hair kit containing the essential products and tools to get started.

(There is an additional equipment list—e.g., heated rollers, training heads—that you must purchase separately. After that, consumables and most working products are supplied during the course.)

6. Do I need a model?

The course is highly practical: you’ll work on training heads, real hair, peers, and in collaborative productions. There is no explicit requirement to bring your own model for routine teaching, but certain projects or portfolio shoots may involve working with models. If in doubt, check with admissions or your tutor ahead of specific assessments.

7. What is expected of me as a student?

Continuous assessment: practical assessments and coursework every term.

Professionalism: studio etiquette, attendance, preparation, and adherence to health & safety.

Engagement: active participation in hands-on sessions, collaborative productions, and portfolio development.

Completion of required modules and submission of assigned projects to progress and qualify.

8. Is the course accredited and will I receive a qualification?

Yes. On successful completion you receive a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Production Arts (Make-Up), a widely recognised vocational qualification equivalent to A-levels.

Students also have the option to work towards additional credentials:
HNC Level 4 Certificate
ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Fashion, Theatre and Media Make-up

9. What will I need to do in order to be qualified?

Complete all practical assessments and coursework across the required modules/terms.

Demonstrate competency in the spectrum of skills (from foundation make-up/hair through advanced SFX, editorial, and production work).

Participate in collaborative productions, portfolio-building activities, and any optional pathway requirements if pursuing HNC/ITEC.

10. Completing case studies

Case studies form part of your assessment and portfolio. This includes working on real or simulated production briefs (e.g., character creation for film/TV), documenting your process, and reflecting on outcomes. These feed into your practical modules, especially in later terms (e.g., collaborative character production in Term 6).

11. How much is the course?

Deposit: £3,000 + VAT

Balance: 6 termly payments of £4,000 + VAT

VAT has applied to all courses as of 1 January 2025 in line with government legislation. The deposit is part of the total fee.

12. How can I pay?

Methods accepted: BACS, cheque, bankers draft, debit/credit card.

Interest-free payment plans are available.

You are not required to pay the full balance upfront—the deposit secures your place, and the remainder is divided termly or via an agreed instalment plan.

13. What’s included?

Professional make-up and hair kit (complimentary at start)

Practical training across make-up, hair, SFX, prosthetics, fashion/editorial, business skills

Consumables and working products supplied during course (after initial kit)

Aftercare and ongoing support post-graduation—refresh sessions at no extra charge and career guidance.

Access to industry-standard facilities at Elstree or Longcross Studios.

Progression options to HNC/ITEC qualifications and onward study (e.g., VTCT Level 2 or HND Level 5).

Portfolio/production experience including collaborative projects.