HNC in Performing Arts (Make Up & Artistry in the Creative Industries)

The BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) Performing Arts - Make Up & Artistry in the Creative Industries pathway is a Level 4 qualification, studied full-time over one year and is taught by experienced industry professionals.

The course is a challenging programme of study, which will be engaging and stimulating and is designed to enable you to aspire to work in the TV and media industry. At Level 4 you will develop the knowledge and skills to demonstrate a sound understanding of the qualities needed for employment and that require some degree of personal responsibility. You will be able to communicate accurately and appropriately and will have developed a range of transferable skills to ensure effective team working, independent initiatives, organisational competence, and problem-solving strategies and be able to work to a live brief.

You will be adaptable and flexible, show resilience under pressure and be able to meet challenging targets within a given resource, working with directors and producers.

You could study mandatory units including:

The Performing Arts Industry - This industry is a complex network of specialist disciplines that cross over into each other in an ever-evolving creative workplace. In this unit you will gain an understanding how this industry works, from individual and collaborative working to looking after participants’ own health and well-being, is essential for anyone wanting to be employed in performing arts.

Professional Development - In this unit, you will explore the many potential avenues of employment that relate to your specialism, build an awareness of how to present yourself to the market place and embark on a journey of professional development whilst creating an online presence.

In addition, you could study six specialised units including:

Hair and Make-up Application: This unit will help you to understand the requirements of the role of a hair and makeup artist in a live production. You will undertake script analysis and build character makeup and designs, from this you will then undertake a practical makeup application.

Special FX: This unit allows you to investigate and create special effects using a range of mediums from silicone to resins. You will then undertake a role in providing special effects and evaluate the success of the effects produced.

Fashion and Fashion Editorial Hair and Makeup: Through this unit, you will develop Fashion and Editorial hair and/or makeup designing abilities, whilst developing the technical skills required to work within a diverse variety of contexts to industry standards.

Period Hair and Makeup: In this unit you will be able to demonstrate how to recreate period designs and apply them with modern technology and tools. You will develop the skills and concepts to work in professional settings, to follow professional standards and produce a Period Hair and/or Makeup portfolio of your work.

Makeup Ageing Skills: Here you will gain an understanding of human anatomy and how to change the shape of facial features to achieve ageing make up effects.

Body Art Application: In this unit you will develop a range of skills and techniques including stippling, blending colour transitioning, shading and highlight and addition of adornment and double dipping techniques, using multiple gradients and a range of different products to create a full body art design, which could incorporate, wigs and prosthetics.

Applicants will need to have completed a relevant Level 3 qualification in theatrical hair & makeup, an art qualification or similar Level 3, which demonstrates your ability to apply yourself.

You will also need both maths and English GCSE at grade 4 or above. The college also welcomes applications from mature students and students with other transferable qualifications. You will need to provide a personal statement prior to interview and bring along a physical or online portfolio of your work.

To speak to the tutor with any queries email: jennie.cadwallader@nscg.ac.uk

The HNC is equivalent to the first year at university and is a recognised Level 4 qualification. On completion of the HNC, you may choose to progress onto a HND (Level 5) or go out into industry.

There are other options available if you wish to complete your BA top year at a level 6. Following this you will be able to undertake a Master’s degree at level 7.

There are two types of loans to help students cover the costs of their higher education course in college: tuition fee loans and living cost loans (also called maintenance loans). You pay these loans back when you finish your course and earn over £25,000. If you earn less than that, you won’t have to repay anything. If you’re earning more than that, we’ll work out your repayments at 9% of your income over that amount. Maintenance loans are only available to students studying on a full-time basis. They are not available for students studying on a part-time basis.

For full details visit www.nscg.ac.uk/finance