
BA (Hons) Hair and Make-Up for Film and Performance
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: High Wycombe / BNU based at Pinewood Studios
- Duration: Two Years
- Start Date: September 2025
Become part of the team behind films and theatre. Your role in hair and make-up will help bring to life the vision of entertainment. Split between our High Wycombe campus and BNU teaching base at Pinewood Studios, with this two year hair and make-up course you’ll have the opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge you need for your future, all whilst studying right in the heart of the famous creative hub.
Our creative briefs and projects will help you develop a portfolio showing off your talent as an expert storyteller in the form of hair and make-up for film and performance.
The University has a teaching base for our hair and make-up students at the iconic Pinewood Studios, which means there could be opportunities to engage with the community there. You’ll be able to put your learnt skills and craftmanship to practice, whilst being in the hustle and bustle of the world-renowned studio.
Across our High Wycombe and BNU teaching base at Pinewood Studios, you’ll benefit from state-of-the-art facilities that will help you bring your ideas to life. Your classroom base offers bright lighting and dressing tables, where you’ll practice techniques and turn models into looks. We also have a range of photography facilities where you’ll have the opportunity to shoot your designs for your portfolio.
Led by a dedicated and experienced course team, you’ll benefit from their industry knowledge and the industry links they bring to the course. You’ll get direct access to guest lectures, who are specialists in the sector, and can benefit from live project briefs, master classes, and networking opportunities.
Our High Wycombe Campus is only a short train ride away from London, meaning you are only a stones-throw away from the hustle and bustle, where you’ll also have the chance to visit outside bodies, such as makeup prep rooms, wig stores, museums and galleries. Here you’ll gain inspiration, insight and a feeling for how the industry works.
With a history of delivering expert craft, art and design education for more than 130 years, Buckinghamshire New University is the perfect place to start your creative career in hair and make-up.
During your time on the course you’ll lend your hand to a range of styles, techniques and periods. Your modules and briefs allow you to develop the skills that employers are looking for, whilst ensuring you have a varied and desirable portfolio.
What will I study?
The practical elements of our hair and makeup course are designed with industry in mind. On the course you will explore pre-production and film set etiquette, which will help you understand the rules, roles and responsibilities of individuals in a production team, as well as explaining who you will report to and the expectations within a professional context.
It is key to master different makeup and hair techniques, so we’ll help you explore a range of period eras and how they form the basis for fashion designs. Alongside, your modules in prosthetics and special effect makeup will allow you to experiment with a range of materials to understand what it takes to bring characters to life.
It’s not just about crafting something that looks great, it will be your job to create character designs that fit a script. We'll teach you about various period hairstyles and show you how to recreate them. Most importantly you'll understand the history and theory that informs your designs and be able to reflect critically on your practice.
You'll get to grips with professional practice and we will help you to develop essential entrepreneurial skills. As many people in this area work as freelancers, we’ll teach you everything you need to know for success, from how to set up to paying taxes and creating a winning portfolio.

How will I be taught and assessed?
During this two-year long hair and makeup degree, you will benefit from a full schedule where you’ll learn everything you need to know to feel ready for the industry by the time you graduate. This intense degree will make sure you challenge yourself to produce the best looks for your portfolio, whilst gaining as much experience as possible.
Learn from experienced lecturers, guest speakers and industry workshops. Your main base will be at our High Wycombe campus, and from there you’ll spend a number of days visiting our . These will both inspire you and help you to understand what the industry of today is really up to.
Although majority of the course is workshop-based and practical, you’ll also learn through;
- Traditional lectures and seminars, led by professionals
- Masterclasses
- Wider reading and preparation for lectures and workshop-based classes
- Visualisation of proposed material
- Individual and small group tutorials led by industry professionals and business mentors
- Final Major Project
You will also experience visits to outside bodies, such as makeup prep rooms, wig stores, museums, among others, to better prepare yourself for the research activities proposed in the programme.
Our students' work

What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112
UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.
A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
Applicants will need to complete an interview and/or demonstrate portfolio work, further guidance is given on the interview and portfolio advice section.
For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
Home
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Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £11,440 per year *
International
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Overseas/International, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £21,050 per year *
Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit , on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes.
Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.
Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.
Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.
We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU.
The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.
What are my career prospects?
Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. Our Careers and Employability Team also help you find employment after graduation.
Upon graduation, you will be prepared for a range of career possibilities. Using the skills and knowledge learnt on this course, you could find yourself performing the following roles all over the world:
- Makeup artist/makeup assistant
- Hairdresser/Chief hairdresser
- Hair Supervisor
- Wig Supervisor
- Prosthetic supervisor or technician
- Prosthetic artist.
You may also choose to stay on at Buckinghamshire New University and study a postgraduate programme.
Course leader



