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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Performance

Tall male model with prosthetic face standing beside female attractive female model with retro hair and dress.
Student work titled, 'Good Grief', by Georgia Olive | BA (Hons) Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics for Performance | London College of Fashion | University of Arts London
College
London College of Fashion
UCAS code
W452
Start date
September 2024
Course length
3 years (optional 1 year placement)

BA (Hons) Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Performance teaches the specialist skills to enter the performance industry working as a make-up / prosthetics artist as well as hair / wig dresser and maker.

Re-approval

Please note that this course is undergoing re-approval. This is the process by which we ensure the course continues to provide a high quality academic experience. During re-approval there may be some changes to the course content displayed on this page. Please contact us if you have any questions about the course.

Why choose this course at London College of Fashion

  • Where graduates have gone on to work: graduates have worked on film productions, such as Harry Potter and War Horse, TV productions including Luther and The Hour and in West End and globally touring theatre productions.
  • Industry standard facilities and equipment: the course has dedicated rooms for sculpting, plaster casting and moulding. Students will also have access to fiberglass, silicone, spray and extraction rooms, a wig making room and specialized ovens and make-up and prosthetics application rooms.
  • Industry links: aided by its London location, the course has strong relationships with the industry, with studios and theatres being easily accessible. Previous work experience opportunities have included The English National Opera and Pinewood Studios.

Open days

There are currently no Open Days scheduled for this course, please check back at a later date.

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

Course overview

Introduction 

On BA (Hons) Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Performance you will learn research, design, technical and production skills. Experience is built across performance genres, giving students a broad choice of career. 

What to expect 

  • Students will be exposed to a wide range of teaching methods including lectures and seminars, demonstrations and workshops. 
  • The course covers a mixture of group discussions and peer assessment alongside self-directed study.  
  • Students will benefit from exposure to the industry including briefings, masterclasses and video screenings and visiting industry speakers. 
  • Creation of written work including essays, self-evaluations and dissertations. 
  • Sketchbooks and realisation

Work experience and opportunities 

Students will be given the opportunity to undertake a short work experience placement during their second year of study. This provides increased industry awareness as well as crucial experience and valuable contacts within the industry.  Placements for previous students have included The English National Opera, The Royal Ballet School, The National Theatre, The Royal Opera House, Shepperton Studios, Pinewood Studios, Leavesden Studios and Coulier Creatures.  

Mode of study 

BA (Hons) Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Performance runs for 90 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 31 weeks.  

Climate, Social and Racial Justice

We are committed to ensuring that your skills are set within an ethical framework and are working to embed UAL’s Principles for Climate, Social and Racial Justice into the course. 

Course units

You will be required to complete 360 credits at levels 4, 5 and 6 to be awarded the BA (Hons) Hair, Make up and Prosthetics for Performance. After achieving 120 credits at level 4 you can opt to be awarded Cert HE. After achieving 240 credits (to include a minimum of 120 at level 5) you can opt to be awarded Dip HE.

Stage 1 (Level 4)

The units you will study in Year 1, Stage 1, Level 4 are as follows:

  • Introduction to Design for Performance (20 Credits);
  • Hair, Make-Up and Prosthetics Principles (40 Credits);
  • Fashion Cultures and Histories (20 Credits);
  • Better Lives (20 Credits);
  • Collaboration One: Design and Production (20 Credits).

Stage 2 (Level 5)

The units you will study in Year 2, Stage 2, Level 5 are as follows:

  • Critical Issues in Fashion Research (20 Credits); 
  • Core Skill: Character Design & Development (40 Credits);
  • Situating Your Practice: Industry Placement/ Project (20 Credits);
  • Collaboration Two: Interdisciplinary & Experimental (40 Credits).

Optional Diploma Year

CCI Creative Computing

Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Performance (with Creative Computing).

CCI Apple Diploma 

Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Apple Development. This will give you an opportunity to become an accredited apple developer alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Performance (with Apple Development).

Industry DIPS 

This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake an industry placement for a minimum of 100 days/20 weeks. As well as developing industry skills, you’ll gain an additional qualification upon successful completion. 

Enterprise DIPS 

This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake an enterprise placement year where you will explore a business idea from proposal to minimal viable product (MVP). As well as developing enterprise skills, you’ll gain an additional qualification upon successful completion. 

Stage 3 (Level 6)

The units you will study in Year 3, Stage 3, Level 6 are as follows:

  • Cultural and Historical Studies Dissertation (40 Credits);
  • Innovation and Design (20 Credits);
  • Personal Performance Project (40 Credits);
  • Modelling Your Future (20 Credits).

A 20-credit unit is approximately equivalent to 200 hours of learning time, which includes a mixture of taught time, independent study and assessment. All students are entitled to a tutorial package that consists of:

  • one induction tutorial (group or one to one);
  • one tutorial per term for the duration for their course of study at LCF;
  • group tutorials as required;
  • an appropriate level of confidentiality.

Learning and teaching methods

The following teaching and learning methods are employed to support the integrated achievement of the course outcomes:

  • Lectures.
  • Demonstrations.
  • Group-discussions.
  • Practical workshops.
  • Seminars.
  • Critiques.
  • Design workshops.
  • Peer assessment.
  • Briefings.
  • Student-directed study. 
  • Video screenings.
  • Presentations.
  • Visiting speakers.
  • Performance project. 

Graduate Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Showcase

  • YOUNG PUNK FUCK
    YOUNG PUNK FUCK, Ruby Cocker, 2023 BA (Hons) Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Performance, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • Of love and other demons - Sierva Maria
    Of love and other demons - Sierva Maria, Daniella Louise Melissa Angeli, 2023 BA (Hons) Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Performance, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • Personal Performance Project
    Personal Performance Project, Phoebe Newson, 2023 BA (Hons) Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Performance, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • Personal Performance Project: Torn
    Personal Performance Project: Torn, Jessica Louise Edwards, 2023 BA (Hons) Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Performance, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • The Future Of Makeup
    The Future Of Makeup, Amy Kathleen Tobin, 2023 BA (Hons) Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Performance, London College of Fashion, UAL

Student and graduate work

  • BA-hair-and-make-up-prosthetics-Edward-Mellor.jpg
  • BA-Prosthetics-Billie-Watkins.jpg
  • BA-hair-and-make-up-prosthetics-Edward-Mellor2.jpg
  • Zivi-Christian.jpg

The Performance Program at LCF

Hear from course leaders and students about what goes behind the scenes on the 3 courses at LCF dedicated to the world of performative arts.

HOP-FROG Behind the scenes

Film by LCF graduate Julia Sanchez Merino (BA (Hons) Hair, Make-Up & Prosthetics for Performance and producer Jose Miguel Esteve.

LCF How To: Halloween make-up demo

Students work on WARPAINT: Alexander McQueen and Make-Up exhibition

BA Hair, Make up & Prosthetics student work by Emily Jane Fielding

Latest news from this course

Staff

The Performance courses share an excellent range of facilities across the programmes, including a wig-making and hair styling studio, prosthetics and make-up studios with live ‘camera to TV’ link, a suite of specialist rooms for casting and mould making, plaster, fibreglass, latex, silicones and other resins, a sculpting studio, and several costume-making studios with pattern cutting tables, overlockers and industrial sewing machines. Students also have access to a large VAC former, laser cutter, print and dye room, a large spray booth, and additional access on site to design studios and IT suites.

Cecilia Pritchard, course leader, is an LCF alumni, and contributes with a diverse portfolio, academically and hands-on, in hair, wigs, makeup and prosthetics in film, TV, theatre and fashion. Her work stretches from Sweden, Denmark, the UK and East Asia.  Working five years at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, Cecilia has worked closely with top international opera singers and costume designers on productions such as Madam Butterfly, Magic Flute, La Boheme, Tosca, Aida, Othello, Salome and many more. For 4 years Cecilia worked as a hair and make-up lecturer at Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) where she also established many international connections.

Steven Solomon graduated in 1990 and has worked across a range of industry areas. He started out specialising in body painting, air brush body art and cosmetics. Work includes promotional events for Aida, The Lion King, Velvet Goldmine. Interview with a Vampire, Reebok, Adidas and Su-do. His development work includes MAC airbrush body paint and cosmetic ranges. Fashion shows include Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan, Evisu, Belstaff and Mulberry. Catwalk events include the MOBO awards, Fashion Rocks, Alternative Hair Show, Pantene Beauty. Promotional/editorial experience include Levi’s, Aveda, Toni & Guy, Cyberdog, Coco de Mer. His teatre work ibcludes La Cage Au Folles, The Turn of the Screw, Michael Clark at the Barbican and World Theatre at the Millennium Dome 1999. Music promotion/video experience include MTV, Cher, George Michael, The Cure, Enya, Tricky and The Prodigy. Advertising: BMW, Evening Standard magazine, Admiral, Direct Line, Alfa-Romeo. He has taught make-up for 22 years for London College of Fashion, Face Stockholm, Jemma Kidd Make-up School, and MAC and completed a PGCE in 2000.

Jessica Curtis trained at the Motley Theatre Design Course after training as an illustrator at the University of Brighton. She has designed for film, opera, dance and theatre both here and in Scandinavia over the last 20 years. She is currently designing the Premier of Genesis inc. at Hampstead Theatre. Recent work includes Uncle Vanya (The Almeida) Villette (West Yorkshire Playhouse), The Holy Rosenbergs (National Theatre), Hotel Cerise (Theatre Royal, Stratford East) Another Door Closed (Theatre Royal Bath), Endgame (Liverpool Everyman), Dangerous Corner (West Yorkshire Playhouse and West End),Frankenstein (Frantic Assembly, Northampton), Burial at Thebes (Nottingham Playhouse/Barbican/US Tour) and RHAPSODY (Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House) One for the Road, Glass Cage, Follies (Royal and Derngate, Northampton) The Ryme of the Ancient Marina (Southbank Center/ Young Vic). She has also designed the Grosvenor Park Open Air Season 2013- 2016 and the opening season at the new cultural centre Storyhouse, as well as bar interiors for Underbelly at the South Bank and Hyde Park and Leicester Square.
She has taught and designed at Central School of Speech and Drama, RADA, Guildhall, Trinity College of Music, Birkbeck and RSMAD.

Lorna Campbell, alumni of the course and now a lead wig designer and creator of wig-making collective Campbell Wigs. Alongside designing and making wigs and facial for stage, screen and bespoke hair loss clients, Lorna, and her team, deliver wig making workshops to industry professionals in locations such as London, NYC, LA, Atlanta GA, and Bahrain. After graduating from The London College of Fashion, Lorna originally worked as a makeup artist and theatrical makeup lecturer at The City of Bristol College before focusing on wig design, making and educating.  Alongside regular high-profile clients, work includes Idris Elba, Peter Serafinowicz, Jeff Waynes War of the Worlds, Jon Culshaw (as Donald Trump), MTV, Warner Bros, ITV, Showtime and the BBC. Lorna's teaching methods focus on delivering the fundamental traditional wig-making techniques necessary for students to take their artistry and passion further throughout their career.

Stuart Conran, prosthetics tutor began his career in prosthetics and special effects make-up in 1986 as a trainee on Hellraiser. He has since been working steadily for make-up effects companies, make-up designers & production companies on a wide range of projects and media for over 30 years. As prosthetic effects designer for Shaun of the Dead, Stuart’s other credits include Peter Jackson’s Braindead, The Descent, Attack the Block, The Peter Serafinowicz Show, Look around You, From Hell, Saving Private Ryan, The Tenth Kingdom, High Rise & Spitting Image.

Stuart was recruited in 2012 by private makeup college CMU and employed as a full-time instructor for almost 3 years in Toronto, Canada.

On returning to the UK, Stuart has divided his time between training & education, working on independent film projects and providing prosthetics for make-up designers and productions.

Employed as an instructor with Gortonstudio for almost 2 years, he has also worked for University College Birmingham, Solent University, University of Bedfordshire, University of Bolton and run various bespoke courses for Gortonstudio both in the UK and overseas.

Recent film and TV work include providing prosthetics for independent thriller series Dark Ditties, TV series Krypton, Temple, Hanna, and most recently providing prosthetics for Pennyworth.

Suzanne Scotcher. After graduating, Suzanne went on to work for Madame Tussauds, producing the wigs, hair punching and colouring new wax work for the Exhibition in London around the world which including Hong Kong, Singapore and New York. After a living in Australia and New Zealand working in the film Industry returned to the UK and spent the next 18 year working in the theatre Industry  Mostly at the National Theatre which included supervising over 25 shows and NT lives which shows were film and shown at Cinemas around the world as well as National and international tours. Noticeable shows include When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other (Cate Blanchett, Stephen Dillane) Phaedra (Helen Mirren, Dominic copper) One Man Two Guvnors (James Corden) Home (Michaela Cole) Man Superman (Ralph Fiennes) PillowMan (David Tennant, Jim Broadbent) and Man Of Mode (Tom Hardy).

Photo Shoots include poster for shows at the National Theatre and for British and American Vogue.

She as also Taught at Christine Blundell make-up academy, Wimbledon College of Art and for the education department at the National Theatre.

Nadia Malik is the Programme Director for the Performance Courses at London College of Fashion, UAL. She has previously been Course Leader for BA Costume Design and Making at Nottingham Trent University and Costume With Textiles at the University of Huddersfield, Head of Wardrobe at the University of Essex and lectured at various other universities.

Nadia is the Reviews Editor (Exhibitions and Events) for the journal Studies in Costume and Performance, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a committee member of the Society of British Theatre Designersand a PhD candidate at Aalto University, Helsinki. Her research work focuses on Knowledge Exchange between academia and industry through experimental pedagogical practice in costume. She holds a BA in Textile Design from Nottingham Trent University and an MA in Costume Design for Performance from London College of Fashion, UAL.

Nadia’s design work has encompassed new and classic writing, opera, folk and contemporary dance, experimental site-specific devised work and live art, including international festivals. With a collaborative approach to performance devising, her work explores the human body, movement, and how costume-led design practice can engage audiences with performance. She has also curated and produced costume events.

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:

One or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications.

  • 112 UCAS tariff points from two or more A Levels (preferred subjects include Art, Design, English, Drama and Film Studies);
  • Distinction, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects Art & Design);
  • Distinction at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design;
  • Merit at UAL Extended Diploma;
  • Access Diploma or 112 new UCAS tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma;
  • 112 new UCAS tariff points from a combination of the above qualifications or an equivalent full Level 3 qualification;
  • or equivalent EU or non-EU qualifications such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 25 points minimum; 
  • and Three GCSE passes at grade A*-C or grade 9-4.

Entry to this course will also be determined by assessment of your portfolio.

APEL (Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning)

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • OR a combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English Language Requirements

IELTS level 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please check our main English Language Requirements.

Selection criteria

The course team seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate:

  • A strong interest in design and the performing arts
  • The potential for creative problem solving
  • An approach suited to the demands of the course and the projected career pathways in the chosen field of studies, i.e. Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

Home students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W452

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

International students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W452

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 4,000 characters and cover the following:

  • Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about the subject?
  • How does your previous or current study relate to the course?
  • Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  • Have any life experiences influenced your decision to apply for this course?
  • What skills do you have that make you perfect for this course?
  • What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Visit the UCAS advice page and our personal statement advice page for more support.

Step 2: Digital portfolio

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a digital portfolio.

You’ll need to submit this via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool.

Digital portfolio advice

Your portfolio should consist of recent work that reflects your creative strengths.

It should:

  • be maximum 30 pages
  • showcase your technical skills in drawing, life drawing, photography and 3D work
  • include work in progress to illustrate how you experiment, explore and develop ideas from initial concepts to final outcomes
  • include research to highlight your knowledge and awareness of the cultural contexts of performance
  • demonstrate your understanding of visual communication principles.

For more support, see our Portfolio advice and PebblePad advice.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

You must apply in the year that you intend to start your course. If you are made an offer and your circumstances change, you can submit a deferral request to defer your place by 1 academic year. You must have met your conditions by 31 August 2024. If you need an English language test in order to meet the entry requirements, the test must be valid on the deferred start date of your course. If not, you will need to reapply. Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contextual Admissions

This course is part of the Contextual Admissions scheme.

This scheme helps us better understand your personal circumstances so that we can assess your application fairly and in context. This ensures that your individual merit and creative potential can shine through, no matter what opportunities and experiences you have received.

Careers

All of our undergraduate courses offer career development, so that you become a creative thinker, making effective contributions to your relevant sector of the fashion industry.

LCF offers students the opportunity to develop Personal and Professional Development (PPD) skills while studying through:
  • An on-course work experience or placement year. Please note, this is not available on every course; please see the Course Details section for information about work placement opportunities.
  • Access to to speaker programmes and events featuring alumni and industry.
  • Access to careers activities, such as CV clinics and one-to-one advice sessions.
  • Access to a graduate careers service
  • Access to a live jobsboard for all years.
  • Advice on setting up your own brand or company.
Graduates who wish to continue their education at postgraduate level can progress to suitable courses within the College, the University or elsewhere.

Career paths

Many graduates prefer to seek employment as soon as they have completed their undergraduate studies, and recent graduates have been employed on the Harry Potter films, Slum Dog Millionaire, Jane Eyre, War Horse, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. TV productions include Just William, Luther, Hotel Trubble, Secret Diary of a Call Girl and The Hour, and our graduates are working at the Royal Opera House, the English National Opera and the National Theatre, as well as on a number of West End musicals. One recent graduate is working for the medical prosthetics company RSL Steeper.