Make-up Artistry - Level 3

Summary

Are you obsessed with make-up tutorials, fashion trends, or behind-the-scenes movie magic? Dream of working on film sets, photoshoots, or even backstage at fashion week? The VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Make-Up Artistry is your chance to take that passion and transform it into real-world skills and a future career in the fast-paced beauty industry.

Designed to prepare you for a career as a professional make-up artist, this qualification is recognised both nationally and internationally, giving you scope to work both in the UK and overseas in a variety of settings from salons and department stores to film and TV sets. There is also the option of working both employed and self-employed allowing you to work in a way that best suits you.

The course itself is very practically focused and you will send a considerable proportion of your time in our specially equipped classrooms practising various make-up techniques, working under the supervision of an experienced tutor as you develop your confidence, creativity and technical skill.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration
02 Sep 2026	Bispham Campus	1 Year	Apply now

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This diploma opens up a world of exciting career paths:

Freelance Make-Up Artist
TV, Film & Theatre Make-Up
Fashion & Editorial Shoots
Bridal & Special Occasion Make-Up
Retail & Brand Make-Up Artist (MAC, Charlotte Tilbury, Fenty Beauty, and more!)
Further Training in Advanced Techniques or Teaching

You can also progress onto Level 4 qualifications or degrees specialising in areas like special effects make-up or look at pathways where you develop your leadership skills with the prospect of working in a managerial position within the beauty industry.

Next steps at B&FC

Students who would like to explore our range of business management degree options have the opportunity to progress their studies at B&FC. There is also the opportunity to pursue a number of our commercial beauty courses which will add to your portfolio of beauty skills and potential increase your employability in the sector.

Employment Opportunities

There are a variety of avenues to explore when looking for employment including openings in beauty salons, department stores, media make-up departments and in collaboration with fashion photographers, stylists and beauty influencers.

Alternatively, students can set up their own businesses as freelance make-up artists, either as generalists or specialising in a particular style of make-up such as bridal or special effects.

Key information

Entry Requirements

A Level 2 Diploma in a relevant subject area. Applications will be considered for students who have a demonstrable amount of experience in the sector, evidenced by a portfolio of work

Qualification obtained

Diploma in Make-Up Artistry

Fees and funding

Courses for learners who are 16-18 years old at the start of their course and resident in the UK are fully funded. You may also be entitled to further financial help to support your studies depending on your personal circumstances. For more details of these, please visit our page on Finance Support for School Leavers.

If you are not a UK resident, we will confirm whether funding is available when we process your application. If not, you may be liable for course fees.

Extra costs and equipment

All products tools and materials will be provided, but you may wish to purchase your own make-up brushes, however, this is not essential. This will incur a cost of approximately £10

What will I learn?

Fashion and Photographic Make-Up: Techniques for creating and adapting design plans, using various products, tools, and techniques.
Media Make-Up: Skills for creating different characters, aging effects, and casualty effects.
Face and Body Art: Application of face and body art using diverse tools and techniques.
Camouflage Make-Up: Techniques for blending products to cover tattoos, scars, and other skin imperfections.
Health and Safety Practices: Essential health and safety practices for working in a salon environment.
Client Care and Communication: Effective communication and client management skills in beauty-related industries.

Essential skills: English and Maths

All school leavers at B&FC are encouraged to continue developing their English and maths skills as higher ability in both these subjects is linked to long-term career success and increased earning potential - irrespective of how well you performed at GCSE. If, however, you achieve a GCSE Grade 3 or less in either subject, you will also have the opportunity to work towards re-sitting these to enhance your paper-based qualifications. This won’t delay your career journey because you will be undertaking this programme of study at the same time as your chosen subject.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

Students aged between 16-18 at enrolment will be required to undertake a minimum of 20 hours work experience as part of the study programme. Students will be expected to secure their own work placement.

How will I learn?

At Blackpool and The Fylde College we recognise that all students learn differently and for some it may be a return to the classroom following a break from formal learning. Our tutors work with you to ensure that their teaching methods support the way that you like to learn.

One key teaching and learning method is that of demonstrations. Your tutors ensure that demonstrations are used whenever possible so you can see the practical skill being used so you can then practise the skill.

You will work collaboratively with your peers in group work, presentations and within practical salon sessions. Following demonstrations you will then have hands on practical time where you will be learning the practical beauty skills. You will be required to model for your peers as well so you can experience the therapies first hand. In addition, you will also be expected to apply these skills to clients in our working salons.

There will be dedicated individual/self-study time on your course which needs to be supported by your own study outside of College, using online development platforms such as Canvas, our virtual learning environment.

E-learning is a key element of all our programmes and we also use a range of on-line apps to support, enhance and motivate learning. Your tutors will support you with these technologies and also in preparing for exams.

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.

How will I be assessed?

This course is designed to be practical, hands-on, and industry-focused, so most of your assessments will reflect real-world make-up artistry work.

You’ll be assessed in the following ways:

Practical Assessments

These are the heart of the course. You’ll demonstrate your skills on real clients or models in a salon or studio environment. You'll be marked on:

Your technical ability and creativity
Health and safety procedures
Professionalism and client care
Time management and working to a brief

You'll need to complete a series of practical assessments across different make-up disciplines – from bridal to special effects.

Portfolio of Evidence

Throughout the course, you’ll build an online portfolio that showcases your:

Completed practical work (with photos and documentation)
Written tasks or assignments
Client consultation records
Case studies and reflective work

Your portfolio acts as proof of your progress and professionalism, and it's something you can use when applying for jobs or freelance work after the course!

Written Assignments & Projects

While the course is mostly practical, you’ll also complete some written work to show your understanding of:

Anatomy and physiology (e.g., skin structure, muscles of the face)
Product knowledge and usage
Industry standards, regulations, and hygiene
Business and marketing basics

These might take the form of short essays, research tasks, or business plans.

Grading and Final Qualification

Assessments are graded as Pass, Merit, or Distinction.
You’ll need to meet all learning outcomes and pass every unit to achieve the full qualification.
There’s no final exam – instead, your final grade is based on your practical and written work throughout the year.