Foundation Certificate In Special Effects Makeup Artistry
Train with award-winning industry professionals and gain hands-on experience in prosthetic sculpting, mould making, bald caps, out-of-kit SFX makeup, and professional prosthetic application techniques for film, television, and theatre.
Dates and Prices
See our current dates below.
Included in the prices: All products, materials, and specialist equipment required throughout the course will be fully provided by The Iver Makeup Academy, giving students access to professional industry-standard products and tools during their training.
Course Start Date
Price
Overview
Learn the essential skills needed to begin or advance your career as a professional Special Effects Makeup Artist with our Foundation Certificate Course. Designed for beginners, working makeup artists, wig makers, beauty professionals, and theatre practitioners looking to up skill and transition into the screen industries, this intensive programme provides the perfect introduction to film, TV, and theatre makeup effects.
Created and delivered by award-winning makeup artists with extensive industry experience, this full-time 7-week course gives you hands-on training in the core techniques required to work professionally within today’s screen industries. You’ll explore everything from out-of-kit SFX makeup and character makeup application to bald cap creation, prosthetic sculpting and fabrication, application techniques, colouring, and realistic skin effects.
Throughout the programme, you’ll learn directly from passionate industry professionals who have worked on major film and television productions. Their expert guidance will introduce you to the latest products, techniques, and current industry practices, ensuring you gain practical, relevant skills that employers are looking for.
Whether you’re completely new to SFX makeup or already working in beauty, wigs, theatre, or makeup and wanting to expand into screen work, this course is designed to help you build confidence, creativity, and industry-ready skills.
The programme is delivered as a series of standalone modules, enabling flexible study on a module-by-module basis. ScreenSkills bursary applications apply.
Our course tutors are extremely passionate about their industry, and you will learn from their endless knowledge. They have many years’ experience working on some of the best known films and TV productions in recent years. They will introduce you to the latest products and techniques that are relevant to today’s industry, so you can be sure you will be learning from the best.
Entry requirements: Must be aged 18+ and pass an interview. You don’t need to have any previous makeup experience as the course starts with the basics and builds from these skills. All we ask is that you have a certain level of artistic ability and a passion and dedication to learn.
Course Payment: A 20% deposit is required to secure a place on this course with the full balance due 6 weeks prior to the course start date. We have several options to help fund your makeup course including interest free payment plans, bursaries and loans.
Aftercare
Starting your professional career as a qualified makeup and hair artist
At The Iver Makeup Academy, you don’t just benefit from the best tutors in the industry; our placement agency helps students find real industry work experience and placements once they have finished their chosen course. Your placements will be relevant to the skills you have learned. This is a free service that is available to all graduates of our courses.
Visit our aftercare page for more information on the ways we can help students find vital hands-on industry experience.
Please note we may occasionally change the content of or course to suit the demands of the industry..
Modules
Character Creation
Character Creation
In module 1, explore the foundations of character makeup design, script interpretation, character breakdowns, continuity, and creative makeup planning for film, television, and theatre. Students will also be introduced to essential health and safety procedures, alongside the core products and techniques used in SFX and prosthetic makeup.
Out-of-Kit SFX & Prosthetic Application
In module 2, develop core Special Effects Makeup techniques using out-of-kit materials, including wounds, bruising, cuts, burns, and trauma effects. Students will also learn the application, blending, colouring, and finishing of pre-made prosthetic pieces. In particular, you’ll learn methods for creating casualty effects such as bruising, cuts, burns and skin diseases. All techniques will be taught using frequently used industry materials such as pro-bondo, silicone, gelatin and sculpt gel.
Flat Mould Sculpting, Creation & Application
In module 3, learn how to design, sculpt, mould, cast, apply, colour, and finish flat mould prosthetic appliances for realistic screen-ready effects.
For more information see our Character, SFX and Prosthetics Application course.
Bald Cap Application
In module 4,gain practical experience in bald cap application, blending, colouring, and finishing techniques, alongside the creation and application of plastic partings for realistic scalp and hairline effects.
For more information see our Bald Cap and Course
Advanced Prosthetics & Character Effects
In Module 5, you will learn professional life casting methods and develop an understanding of core sculpting techniques used in prosthetic creation for film and television. Build on existing prosthetic knowledge through advanced sculpting, mould construction, casting processes, and fabrication techniques using industry-standard materials.Refine professional application, blending, colouring, maintenance, and continuity techniques required for prosthetic work in film, television, and live production environments.
For more information see our Further Prosthetics course.
Spaces available for September 2026 and January 2027
Funding
There are a number of funding option including our IMA interest free payment plan, bursaries and scholarships.
For further information Click Here
Tutors
Renata Gilbert
Academic Consultant
A freelance hair & makeup artist with 35 years’ experience in the industry, working on well-loved TV dramas and iconic films.
Stuart Bray
Prosthetics Makeup Artist
An experienced industry prosthetic artist working on leading productions including Game of Thrones, The Mummy and Shaun of the Dead.
Sarah-Jane Pucci
SFX Make Up & Hair Artist
A seasoned Prosthetics, Hair, and Make-up Artist, SJ brings over 15 years of on-set and backstage experience across theatre, film, and TV—specialising in SFX and wig design.
Jess Heath
Prosthetics and SFX Artist
Jess Heath is a prosthetic artist who has worked in Film and TV since 2007, starting out during her degree in Model Design and Special Effects. Jess began self taught, working mainly as a sfx artist on low budget horror films.
Jeremy Woodhead
Makeup and Hair designer
Award winning makeup and Hair designer for Film and Television
Nicola Buck
Makeup Artist
Nicola Buck is a makeup artist working in film and Television. Nik has worked on some of the biggest films made in the UK over the past 20 plus years.
Robb Crafer
Prosthetics Makeup Artist
A qualified teacher with a love of special effects and creative prosthetics, who has worked on some of the most recognisable films in recent years.
Reviews
I was allowed to reconnect with making a career in something I was/am passionate about. Anyone attending a course here will experience something wonderful.
Thank you to all the talented tutors and support team for changing my life – for the better.
Aftercare at the Iver Academy is great with regular updates about job opportunities and experience to help you get your foot in the door, and they continue to support you further into the future after graduating. All the Tutors and Staff are so supportive and genuinely want to see all their students succeed once leaving the school.
Anyone wanting to begin their development in the Make-Up industry would highly benefit from studying at the Iver Academy!
The teachers are amazing and offer the most relevant and up to date knowledge and education as they are all passionate about the industry and working in film,TV,Theatre,Fashion and anything inbetween.
The benefit of being in Pinewood Studios is that there is so much going on around you,if there would be an opportunity for work experience,it may be here.......
Aftercare with The Iver Makeup Academy is great and you get regular updates about work experience and opportunities.There are also many opportunities to meet amazing tutors and make connections for future work experience.
I have had a positive experience and would do The Advanced Certificate in Hair and Makeup Artistry all over again if I could.
I recommend coming here if you want the absolutely,very best education and opportunities thereafter.
The tutors that teach at the academy are absolutely world class and they are actively working hair and make-up artists in the industry. Their patience with all students is amazing, with regular feedback being given on progress throughout the modules they really encourage the best for all students.
Following completion of the course all students are put on the academy's agency where I have received several jobs from this agency already and has added to my contacts and my portfolio as a professional.
If you are serious about working as a hair and make-up artist in the TV, Film, Theatre and Fashion industry this is definitely the place to be trained. I really cannot thank The Iver Make-up Academy enough for all they have done for me and I definitely recommend them to all future make-up and hair artists!
After graduation you are added to the Academy's Agency where you regularly receive job opportunities. This was an excellent way to build my portfolio as well as get my foot in the industry. It is apparent that all tutors and staff genuinely want all their students to be successful and will always be there for help and advice to both current student as well as alumni.
The Iver Make-Up Academy has given me the skills, support and confidence to work within the Film and Television industry and I could not recommend them more!
FAQs
View some of our FAQs below, if you still cannot find the answer you are looking for then please see all our FAQs or get in contact with us today.
How do I enrol on a course?
You must be 18 or over to apply for any of our courses, except our SFX summer school which is for 14-17 year olds. You must also meet any entry requirements specified (please visit the individual course pages for more details on these requirements).
To start the enrolment process, we first ask that you get in touch to arrange a visit to our studios, where we can carry out a brief interview. Telephone interviews can also be arranged if you are located too far away. After the interview stage you will need to complete an enrolment form and will be required to pay a deposit to secure your place on your chosen course. Please note that this deposit is unfortunately non-refundable.
What do the fees include?
Your fees include everything that is needed to successfully complete our courses. This includes materials, makeup, brushes and tools and cleaning equipment. All we ask is that you bring your own pen and notepad to each lesson for note taking.
Our full time Certificate, Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced Hair and Makeup courses all include a full makeup and hair kit in the cost. This provides you with industry-quality makeup from brands including Bobbi Brown, MAC and Kryolan, as well as professional palettes, makeup brushes and hair tools. The value of each kit on the Intermediate and Advanced course is over £2000 and this is yours to keep once the course has ended.
Specialist equipment is supplied for our shorter courses and further prosthetics courses to allow you to complete the training.
Do you offer student loans for your courses?
The Iver Academy is registered with UK Government’s Skills Funding Agency. Currently there are no Government funded student loans available for our courses but please take a go look at our Funding page as there are a number of Bursary’s and Scholarship programmes available.
For more information please see our How to Fund your Training page
Am I able to visit The Iver Academy before enrolling?
We encourage anyone considering a course with us to first come and visit our academy. You can call us to make an appointment, where one of our team will happily show you around the premises and facilities, or you can attend one of our open days.
What is your average tutor to student ratio?
All of our courses are taught in small tutor groups. Our tutor / student ratio will vary depending on our individual courses, but on average this will be a ratio between 1:7 and 1:14 This helps us ensure that all our students receive the best care and attention to further their development.
What are your regular class teaching times?
Our regular classroom times are between 10am and 4pm and 9.30 am till 4.30 pm for Prosthetics and SFX modules.However, our academy opening hours are from 9am – 5pm to give students ample time to practise their skills and prepare for any tasks.
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