Theatrical and Media Makeup (6010)

Last Updated: 11 Mar 2025

Following on from the Government's announcement of the outcomes of last year's pause and review, we have conducted an internal review of our qualifications and have made the difficult decision to close a small number, including our Level 2  Technical Qualification in Make up Artistry, the last date to register new learners for this will be 31 July 2025.  Click here for alternative City & Guilds qualifications.

If you would like to discuss alternative programmes or your plans more generally for the 2025-2026 academic year, please reach out to your business development manager for support, or book a curriculum planning session with one of our team.

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Find out more on Technical Qualifications.

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This qualification is suitable for anyone over the age of 16 years.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?
To deliver these qualifications, centres/colleges will need to provide their learners with a suitable learning environment and the resources they need to complete the practical and theoretical aspects of the qualification.

Centres and providers work with local employers who will contribute to the knowledge and delivery of training. Employers will provide demonstrations and talks on the industry and where possible work placements will also be provided by the employers.

To find all the resource requirements, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

Level 2

Learners interested in the Level 2 Technical Certificate in Make-up Artistry will study theoretical aspects of the subject and apply them to practical tasks.
 
Compulsory topics include:

  • Working in the make up industry
  • Anatomy & physiology
  • Research, develop and showcase designs
  • The art of applying makeup
  • Hair artistry
  • Creative make-up artistry
What Careers Can This Lead To?
This qualification could lead to a job as a make-up artist working in one of the following establishments:
  • Photo shoots
  • Magazine and publication shoots
  • Department stores
  • Make-up stores
  • Salon
Level 2 Technical Certificate in Make-up Artistry (6010-20)
Last Registration Date: 31 Jul 2026

Level 2 Technical Certificate in Make-up Artistry

  • Accreditation No: 603/0379/7 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Technical This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 360 - 360 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: 5 This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £119.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

The Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Media Make-up Artistry (540) qualification covers a very wide range of skills and knowledge required for working in the media make-up industry.

These are compulsory areas: 

  • Working in the film, TV and theatre industry
  • Create historical hair and make up looks
  • Media make up creative hair design
  • Fashion and photographic make-up
  • The creation and presentation of a look book and industry portfolio 
  • Apply body art
  • Camouflage make up

Optional areas include:

  • Cutting and styling techniques for performers
  • Avant-guard hair and make up
  • The evolution of cosmetics and retail 
  • Specialist bridal hair and make-up
  • Media make-up blogging

The Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects and Media Make-up Artistry (540) covers a very wide range of skills and knowledge required for working in the theatrical and media make-up industry.

These are compulsory areas:

  • Cutting and styling techniques for performers
  • Avant-Garde hair and make up
  • Creative make-up design for productions and industry demands
  • Apply prosthetic pieces and bald caps
  • Special effects make-up
  • Create, dress and fit facial postiche
  • Body art for competition

Optional areas include:

  • Camouflage make-up
  • Media make-up blogging
  • Create, cast small prosthetic pieces and bald caps
  • Costume design and prop making
  • Wig dressing, fitting and maintenance

 For more information, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?
Achievement of the Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Media Make-up Artistry (540) demonstrates to an employer that you have the necessary advanced technical skills to be employed as a Make-up Artist.

This qualification could lead to a job as a:
  • Photographic makeup artist
  • Editorial makeup artist
  • TV makeup artist
  • Video makeup artist
  • Freelance make up artist
  • Specialist bridal makeup artist
Achievement of the Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects and Media Make-up Artistry (540)demonstrates to an employer that you have the necessary advanced technical skills to be employed as a Theatrical and Media Make-up Artist.

This qualification could lead to a job as a:
  • Theatre makeup artist
  • Film makeup artist
  • TV makeup artist
  • Makeup designer
  • Product developer
  • Entrepreneur
Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Media Make-up Artistry (540) (6010-30)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Media Make-up Artistry (540)

  • Accreditation No: 601/7501/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Technical This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 540 - 540 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 900 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: 5 This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £123.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects and Media Make-up Artistry (540) (6010-31)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects and Media Make-up Artistry (540)

  • Accreditation No: 601/7514/X This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Technical This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 540 - 540 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 900 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: 5 This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £123.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Explore our wider maths & English offer

Our maths & English qualifications underpin our apprenticeships and technical qualifications. They build learners’ confidence with the core skills required for employment, including the capacity to problem solve and use technology effectively. They are also key to triggering conditions of funding.

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