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Graduate Outcomes

Where Our Graduates Work

The career a student builds after leaving the Iver Makeup Academy is the clearest evidence of what our training delivers. Graduates go on to work across film, television, theatre and fashion, applying the skills and industry contacts built during their time at Pinewood Studios. Below is a picture of where Iver graduates are working today, and, in their own words, how their careers have progressed since graduating.

Graduate Outcomes By The Numbers

Many Iver graduates progress directly into film, television and theatre, working as trainees and juniors before building toward department-head roles over the course of their careers. Others establish careers in fashion, commercial makeup, bridal work and freelance artistry. A significant number go on to build long-term careers on major film and television productions, returning to work with the same crews and production companies year after year.

What Our Graduates Say

Jenny Watson

Filmography includes A Discovery of Witches, Peaky Blinders, Harlots, Darkest Hour
“The most valuable part of The Iver Makeup Academy is the tutors and staff… the tutors really are the best of the best and impart their wisdom in a way that made me feel confident in my abilities and my future after Iver. The care doesn’t stop when you leave — the staff and tutors also recommend students for some great jobs, including my current trainee role on a feature film.”

Rachel Hallum

Filmography includes The Danish Girl, Bridget Jones’ Baby, The Mummy, Tomb Raider
“Having active industry-based Make-Up Artists and Designers as our tutors meant we were taught the most up-to-date techniques in a professional and friendly environment… Having an in-house agency means there are lots of opportunities to gain invaluable ‘on the job’ experience. I was so incredibly fortunate to be offered the opportunity by one of my tutors to become her crowd trainee on a feature film.”

Kelsey McIlgrew

Filmography includes Avenue 5, English National Opera, Holland Park Opera

“Having had a previous career in finance, I was convinced I had missed my opportunity to pursue my dream career… Every teacher was supportive and encouraging and was still working in the industry, which gave me a head start once the course had finished. Since the course has finished I have jumped straight into working with the BBC and the Holland Park Opera.”

Mathilda Austin

Filmography includes Maleficent, Fast & Furious, Dumbo

“Recently I have been fortunate enough to have got the role of Main Team Trainee on a major Disney film. The Iver Makeup Academy have helped massively to get many of my past jobs, gain invaluable contacts, and are the reason I am on my current job now.”

Graduate Success Stories

Nabeel Hussain

Industry Ready Certificate in Makeup and Hair Artistry, later returning to complete the Advanced modules

Nabeel joined the Academy in 2016 as a mature student, after spotting a poster for an Open Day on the London Underground on his way to his old job. He completed the Industry Ready Certificate in Makeup and Hair Artistry before returning to build on his skills with the Advanced modules. His early industry credits included Stan & Ollie, Holmes & Watson, Men in Black: International, the Eurovision Song Contest and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. He has since progressed into artist-level roles, working on titles including Citadel, Black Mirror and Mary & George, and films such as Saltburn, Good Grief and Rumours. One of his career highlights came working as personal hair and makeup artist to an actress on Rumours, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024.

Productions and Employers

Graduates from the Iver Makeup Academy are currently working at and on productions for Disney, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Sky, Warner Bros, Apple TV+, the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, West End theatre productions, the Royal Ballet, opera productions, the global fashion and editorial industry, and commercials and advertising production.

  • Film:
    28 Years Later, 1917, Captain America: The First Avenger, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Doctor Strange, Florence Foster Jenkins, Jason Bourne, The Danish Girl, Bridget Jones’ Baby, The Mummy, Woman in Gold, Maleficent, Fast & Furious, Maestro, Dumbo, The Matrix Resurrections, Star Wars, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Men in Black: International, Terminator, Justice League, Saltburn, Stan & Ollie, Holmes & Watson, Good Grief, Rumours, Giant, Catherine Called Birdie, Compulsion, I Fought the Law, Warfare, Marriage Unplugged
  • Television & Streaming
    The Rings of Power, House of the Dragon, The Witcher, Black Cake, Black Mirror, Citadel, Mobland, Peaky Blinders, A Discovery of Witches, Mary & George, Silo, Legends, Havoc, Downton Abbey, Ish
  • Theatre & Live
    National Theatre productions including WHAM, and the Eurovision Song Contest
  • Award recognition
    One of our graduates, Jenny Watson, was part of the hair and makeup team on Darkest Hour, which won the Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Makeup and Hairstyling in 2018. The award was given to the film’s hair and makeup team — we’re simply proud that an Iver-trained artist was part of it.

The Careers Our Graduates Choose

Training at the Iver Makeup Academy opens pathways into every area of the makeup, hair, and SFX industry. The most common career routes taken by our graduates include working as a hair and makeup trainee or junior on film and television productions, building towards a department head credit over a professional career; working in West End and regional theatre as part of the wardrobe and makeup department; building a portfolio in editorial, fashion, and commercial work through the Iver Academy Agency; specialising in SFX and prosthetics for film, television, and live events; and working as a personal makeup artist or session stylist for talent, media, and events. Many graduates work across more than one of these areas, particularly in the early stages of their careers, and the breadth of the Iver training programme is specifically designed to give them that flexibility.

Getting Your First Credits

Every graduate from a full-time Iver course is added to the Iver Academy Agency, giving them immediate access to paid work opportunities alongside building their professional portfolio. The agency is the practical bridge between training and a working career, and many graduates report securing their first industry credits through agency placements within weeks of graduating. The agency remains available to graduates throughout their careers, not just in the months immediately following graduation.

If you are considering professional training in makeup, hair, or SFX, the career outcomes our graduates achieve are the most honest guide to what the Iver Makeup Academy can offer you. We are happy to talk through course options and career pathways at any stage.

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