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.

Prospectus

Leaving School?

We are interviewing prospective students for our 2-year BTEC diploma course 2025/2026 intake.

Book an appointment: 01344 635522

Showing prospective students around (including school holidays) for enrollment in 2025 & 2026. The 2-year BTEC Make up & Hair Course starts 22 September 2025 at Elstree Studios or 29 September 2025 at Longcross Studios.

3-Day Special Effects Taster Course

Elstree - 27th 28th 29th May 2025

Longcross - 27th 28th 29th May 2025

3-Day Instaglam Taster Course

Elstree - 27th 28th 29th May

Longcross - 27th 28th 29th May

For availability or to book a visit, call +44 (0) 1344 635 522 or email us at [email protected]

The Most Comprehensive Makeup & Hair Course in the UK

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

We can arrange payment plans to suit your circumstances.

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

If you are looking for the best possible make-up artistry course, Brushstroke’s 2-year Make-up and Hair: BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Production Arts (Make-up) is it.

This is a 100% industry-relevant course for those seeking to enter the profession as properly trained make-up and hair artists for film, TV, stage, and fashion.

Taught over a duration of 6 terms, the 2-year BTEC is the most in-depth and comprehensive of our courses. You will learn an excellent balance of subjects some of which include period make-up and hair from over the decades, special effects make-up and prosthetics, stage make-up, making and applying facial hair and wigs, airbrushing, haircutting and styling, bridal, afro hair styling, fashion and photographic make-up and hair.

This full-time course is recommended for ages 16+ as a continuation of education from school, college, or university and covers more hours of practical training in comparison to other courses of a similar nature. BTEC syllabus requires students to be continually assessed throughout the course and you will be required to complete a range of practical assessments and coursework on a term-by-term basis. Although the students will receive an extremely credible BTEC national qualification, it is secondary to the comprehensive training that the students will receive at Brushstroke. It also differs completely from college and university courses allowing students to confidently and successfully work within the industry.

Being situated at both Longcross Film Studios and Elstree Studios you can study at your chosen studio and the Brushstroke after-care support will always be offered to you at either of our locations. This ensures familiarity and experience of different working studio environments.

At the beginning of the course, you will be given a complimentary professional make-up and hair kit which contains the essential products and equipment to get you started. There is also an Additional Equipment list (heated rollers, training heads, etc) that you will be required to purchase separately. Thereafter, all necessary consumables, products, and equipment will be supplied.

Students studying on this two-year course also have the option to work towards their HNC Level 4 Certificate and/or the ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Fashion, Theatre, and Media Make-up.

On successful completion of this course, students may wish to progress on to the Level 2 VTCT Diploma in Women’s Hairdressing and Men’s Barbering Fast Track Full Time (32 weeks) or the 1-year Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) in Make-up and Hair.

Prospectus

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

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!

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

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

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

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

Course Dates Longcross Studios:

29 September 2025 to 08 July 2027

Course Dates Elstree Studios:

22 September 2025 to 01 July 2027

Times: Monday to Thursday 10.30 am to 16.00

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

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.