Hair, Make-Up and Prosthetics for Stage and Screen BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  Year 1 – Foundations of Theory and Practice:

  The Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Stage and Screen degree is structured on a three-stage progressive model. In the first year you will learn a combination of foundational practical skills in hair and make-up for stage and screen, gain an understanding of the various professional contexts these skills can be applied in and finally be given a critical and historical introduction to the relationship of hair and make-up and identity representation on both stage and screen.

  Semester 1:

  HMP1001 – Makeup for Stage, Screen and In-between (40 Credit Practical Module)

  The purpose of this module is to equip students with foundational knowledge and skills for the application of Make-Up within the context of the stage and screen industries through an introduction to essential key techniques, approaches, tools, etiquettes and methods used within the industry.

  HMP1006 – Introduction to Fantasy Transformation (20 Credit Practical Module)

  The purpose of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to explore fantasy transformation techniques within the context of the stage and screen industries through an introduction to essential key techniques, approaches, tools, etiquettes, and methods used within the industry.  You will enhance your transferable skills working in collaboration with your peers.

  Semester 2:

  HMP1005 – Cosmetic Constitutions: The Critical Connection Between Hair, Make-up and Identity (20 Credit Practical Module)

  The purpose of this module is to provide students with an historical introduction to the function of make-up and hair orientated special effects in the stage and screen industries in reproducing, representing and communicating identity in a variety of cultural contexts.

  HMP1003- Hair for Stage, Screen and In-between (40 Credit Practical Module)

  The purpose of this module is to equip students with foundation knowledge, and skills of hair styling, within the context of the stage and screen industries complimenting the skill gained in relation to make-up. This will be achieved through an introduction to key industry styling techniques, approaches, tools, etiquettes and methods.

  Year 2 – In Contexts of Theory and Practice

  In Year Two you will build on the practical skills gained in stage one, including development into prosthetics and specialised make-up as well as wig design. The advanced practical skills learnt are contextualised through an introduction to different professional contexts in an employability focused module. Finally, you will be given a critical history of prosthetics on stage and screen through the notion of identity transformation.

  Semester 1:

  HMP2001 – Introducing Prosthetics (20 Credit Practical Module)

  he purpose of this module is to enable students to combine learning from previous modules to develop competence in the application, blending and colouring of on-set prosthetics, exploring the versatility and varied applications for stage and screen.

  HMP2002 – Character Transformation in a Transmedia Universe: Prosthetics and Identity (20 Credit Theory Module)

  The purpose of this module is for students to investigate both the importance of, and advances in prosthetics, in representing and enabling identity transformation across a variety of genres of stage and screen mediums from the mid-Twentieth century to the contemporary transmedia moment.

  HMP2003 – Advanced Hair, Wigs and Design (20 Credit Practical Module)

  The purpose of this module is for students to build on the hair orientated skills gained from level 4 study, and now expand these skills into a selection of the many diverse contexts which the special effects for stage and screen industries operate within and the styles and genres they contain.

  Semester 2:

  HMP2004 – Burnished, Buffed and Brushed: Bringing Together Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics (40 Credit Practical Module)

  The purpose of this module is for students to focus on the interrelated nature of make-up, hair and prosthetics in working together to produce a completed design and identity in accordance with a selected brief.

  HMP2005 – Researching Trends in Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics (20 Credit Theory Module)

  The purpose of this module is to introduce students to key research methodologies, processes and approaches for both conducting research within and about the hair, make-up and prosthetics for stage and screen industries in preparation for their dissertation in Year 3.

  Year 3 –  Specialised Arenas of Theory and Practice

  In Year 3, building on the work done over stages one and two, you will have the opportunity to focus on your preferred area and pathway via both your individual dissertation project and work placement modules. To support these endeavours, you will be trained on the etiquettes of key sectors of the stage and screen effects industries throughout this Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics degree. To assist you in your creative work at this stage, you will be encouraged to consider both the reception and spectacle of hair, make-up and prosthetics on stage and screen.

  Semester 1:

  HMP3001- Professional Skills and Industry Etiquettes in Hair, Make-Up and Prosthetics (20 Credit Employability/Career Skills & Placement Module).

  Building on established practical skills and theoretical knowledge, the purpose of this module is to equip students with an advanced knowledge of the professional skills, processes and etiquettes of the media and performance industries in stage and screen industries in order to prepare them for employment in the sector.

  HMP3005 – Breaking the Mould: Advanced Prosthetics for Stage and Screen (40 Credit Practical Module).

  The purpose of this module is to expand students knowledge and skill sets to explore the use of 3D technology in conjunction with traditional methods to create innovative and groundbreaking prosthetics for stage and screen productions/performances. Students will develop a conceptual design to create and finish a Prosthetic application of industry standard.

  Semester 2:

  HMP3004- Short Dissertation (20 Theory Module).

  The purpose of this module is to enable students to harness critical knowledge, apply theoretical concepts and engage with research approaches and methodologies in order to perform a critical investigation into a topic related to Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Stage and Screen.

  HMP4001 – Showcasing Hair, Make-Up and Prosthetics (40 Credit Practical Module).

  The purpose of this module is for students to devise, plan and produce completed look/ style for a self-designed brief for the purpose of showcasing it as part of a specialised Hair, Make-Up and Prosthetics event/show.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join this full time Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics degree at the University of Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics degree, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  *UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

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• Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

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• FAQs

  How will I be taught on the Hair, Make-Up and Prosthetics course?

  Teaching on the Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics degree will be delivered through small group seminars, interactive workshops, individual and small group tutorials both face-to face and online, individual supervision and independent study.

  How will I be assessed?

  The majority of the course will be assessed through practical assignments and presentations which will equate to approximately 70% of your final grade. There will also be written assessments in the form of reflective sketchbooks, critical portfolios, character and case studies and essays. Finally, there is a work based placement assessment and this, along with all other written assessments, will equate to approximately 30% of your final grade.

  Will I need to buy any materials or equipment to study this course?

  You will be required to purchase a Make Up and Hair kit which could cost up to £650 depending on the items you purchase. The cost of materials is of an individual nature depending on the areas you decide to specialise in as you progress through the programme.

  Will I have access to any specialist facilities/ features?

  There will be access to:

  • Bespoke hair, make-up and prosthetic rooms that are stimulating and at the same time practical, safe and ideal for learning the craft of hair, make-up & prosthetics
  • Lecturers with both professional experience as Make-up Artists and Prosthetic Creators and academic theoretical knowledge of the sector and history of effects for stage and screen.
  • Guest lectures, workshops and employability orientated events led by industry figures who have worked on a number of high profile projects within the industry.

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