What Happens After Graduation?

One of the most common questions we hear from prospective students is simple: what happens after graduation?

Choosing a professional makeup course is a significant investment, and it’s natural to want to know where it can lead. While course content and qualifications are important, the real measure of success is what happens once students enter the industry.

How Our Graduates Build Careers in Film, TV and Fashion

At The Iver Makeup Academy, the answer can be seen in the productions our graduates work on, the companies that hire them, and the careers they continue to build long after completing their training at Pinewood Studios. From film and television to theatre, fashion, and SFX, our graduates are establishing themselves across some of the world’s most exciting creative industries.

From Training to Industry

The transition from education to professional work is where quality training makes all the difference. Technical ability is essential, but successful artists also need professionalism, confidence, industry knowledge, and the ability to work effectively within a team.

That’s why our training is designed to go beyond practical makeup skills.

Throughout the Advanced Certificate in Makeup and Hair programme, students are introduced to the realities of working within professional productions. Continuity, script breakdowns, brief interpretation, set etiquette, and communication are embedded throughout the curriculum rather than treated as separate subjects.

Our tutors are active industry professionals who regularly move between major productions and the classroom. This ensures students learn current techniques, workflows, and expectations that reflect the realities of today’s industry.

Upon graduating from a full-time course, students are also added to The Iver Makeup Academy Agency, providing access to paid work opportunities and helping them begin building professional credits. Many graduates secure their first industry placements within weeks of completing their training.

Where Our Graduates Work

Today, IMA graduates can be found working across film, television, theatre, fashion, and commercial productions throughout the UK and internationally.

Graduates have worked on productions for Disney, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Sky, Warner Bros., Apple TV+ and the BBC, as well as within West End theatre, Opera, Ballet, Editorial, and Fashion Industries.

For many graduates pursuing film and television careers, the journey begins as a trainee or junior hair and makeup artist. As they gain experience, build credits, and develop professional relationships, they progress into more senior positions and leadership roles within makeup departments.

The speed of that progression varies from artist to artist, but the foundation is always the same: strong technical training, professional confidence, and access to the right opportunities.

The Pinewood Studios Advantage

Being based at Pinewood Studios offers students something few training providers can replicate.

Pinewood is one of the UK’s most important filmmaking hubs, home to world-renowned productions and industry professionals. Training within this environment allows students to immerse themselves in the industry from day one.

Rather than learning in isolation, students develop their skills within a working production environment, surrounded by the people, departments, and processes they aspire to join.

This exposure helps students understand not only how to perform makeup techniques, but also how professional productions operate. Employers frequently highlight this industry awareness as one of the qualities that sets Iver graduates apart.

Career Paths Beyond Film and Television

While film and television remain popular career destinations, they are far from the only opportunities available.

Many graduates build successful careers in West End and regional theatre, applying their skills across character, period, and performance-based makeup. Others move into fashion, editorial, advertising, and commercial work, establishing themselves as session stylists and freelance makeup artists.

Special effects makeup and prosthetics continue to offer exciting opportunities across film, television, live events, immersive experiences, and themed entertainment.

The Advanced Certificate in Makeup and Hair Artistry is designed to provide students with a broad foundation across all of these disciplines before they choose a specialist direction. This versatility is one of the greatest advantages graduates carry into the early stages of their careers.

Industry Recognition That Matters

The Iver Makeup Academy Advanced Certificate is accredited by ScreenSkills Select, the quality mark awarded by the UK’s screen industries skills body.

This accreditation demonstrates that the course has been assessed against the standards expected by the industry itself, providing employers with confidence in the quality and relevance of the training graduates have received.

IMA is also proud to be part of the BAFTA Scholarship Programme and remains the only makeup school whose students have received multiple BAFTA Scholarships while studying on the Advanced Course.

In addition, our partnership with the National Film and Television School provides further progression opportunities for graduates wishing to continue their professional development.

Graduate Success Stories

The best insight into life after training comes from the graduates themselves.

Ella Grimsteed, who graduated from the 30-Week Advanced Course in 2022, said:

“All the tutors are so lovely and they teach you everything you need to know to start a career in the industry. They have given me so many opportunities which I would never have had before. I am currently working in theatre in the West End.”

Sadie Larkin, who completed the Foundation Course in 2019, shared that she secured multiple jobs through the Academy’s agency after graduating and described the tutors as:

“Absolutely world-class and actively working hair and makeup artists in the industry.”

For graduate Nabeel Hussain, the experience was simply described as life-changing.

Ready to Start Your Career?

If you’re considering professional training in makeup, hair, or special effects, understanding where that training can lead is an important part of the decision-making process.

Whether your goal is film, television, theatre, fashion, or special effects, The Iver Makeup Academy is committed to providing the skills, industry knowledge, and professional opportunities needed to help you take the first steps towards a successful career.

Explore our courses, attend an Open Day, or speak to our team to find out which programme is right for you.