Students can take this qualification over two years alongside A Levels – it will be timetabled on a Monday or Wednesday afternoon over the two years. Those who are not following an A Level programme can complete the Diploma in one year in college one day a week, 9.30am-6pm. This course has been specifically designed for the 16–19 age group; it can be taken without any existing knowledge and understanding of hair and beauty skills. Equally it can build on any existing skills students may have gained at Level 2. Students will develop an enhanced repertoire of technical skills to prepare them for employment as a professional Make-up Artist.
You will carry out both practical work in our salon and theory work, with a set amount of home study. Following tutor-led demonstrations, you will practise your skills on each other in class and then graduate onto clients when we think you are ready. This course requires a considerable amount of both theory and practical work and this will require additional home study. The areas to be studied include: airbrush make-up, camouflage make-up, media make-up and fashion and photographic makeup. Students can also study prosthetic pieces and bald caps, individual lashes, styling and dressing hair using a variety of techniques and basic instruction on make-up.
Further study
Internal assessment: Assessment is set, marked and internally quality assured by the Centre to clearly demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes. Assessment is sampled by VTCT external quality assurers.
External assessment: Externally assessed question papers completed electronically will be set and marked by VTCT. Externally assessed hard-copy question papers will be set by VTCT, marked by Centre staff and sampled by VTCT external quality assurers.
Assessment explained:
VTCT qualifications are assessed and quality assured by Centre staff. Work will be set to improve your practical skills, knowledge and understanding. For practical elements, you will be observed by your assessor. All your work must be collected in a portfolio of evidence and cross-referenced to requirements listed in this record of assessment book. Your centre will have an internal quality assurer whose role is to check that your assessment and evidence is valid and reliable and meets VTCT and regulatory requirements. An external quality assurer, appointed by VTCT, will visit your centre to sample and quality-check assessments, the internal quality assurance process and the evidence gathered. You may be asked to attend on a different day from usual if requested by the external quality assurer. This record of assessment book is your property and must be in your possession when you are being assessed or quality assured. It must be kept safe. In some cases your centre will be required to keep it in a secure place. You and your course assessor will together complete this book to show achievement of all learning outcomes, assessment criteria and ranges
You will be assessed under realistic working conditions, just as if you were backstage or in a salon. Practical and written work is internally marked, followed by external verification by the awarding body. There are continual practical assessments, written assessment questions, internal and external exams, a look-book and a portfolio of evidence for all theory and practical treatments. This qualification carries 32 UCAS points.
Learners who complete this qualification are eligible to become a member of the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC).
Career opportunities include working as a professional Makeup Artist in theatres, film, print media, photographic studios, independently or in a mobile or home-based setting. The primary purpose of this course is to prepare learners for employment as a professional Theatrical Media Make-up Artist, although learners may wish to further develop their skills by undertaking advanced specialist qualifications at Level 4, such as Salon Management or Specialist Hair and Scalp Services.
Please note that the prices above are based on 2024 entry and there may be slight changes for 2025. Contact the Hair and Beauty department on ahed@psc.ac.uk for further information. The College has a Student Support Fund for those students who have difficulty in meeting these costs.
This qualification leads to a variety of career opportunities to work as a make-up artist, including:
• Beauty salons
• Independent/self-employed/mobile/ homebased settings
• Theatre, film, print media, photographic studios
• National Health Service • Product manufacturing and training
• Hospitals/care homes
Whilst this qualification’s primary purpose is to prepare you for employment as a make-up artist, you may choose to complement your skills and knowledge base by undertaking higher level qualifications in related areas such as:
• VTCT Level 4 Diploma in Salon Management
GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 or above is preferable. If this level has not already been achieved, students will be expected to re-take their GCSE subjects alongside the course. A passion for the subject is essential, and previous relevant experience is desirable.