Make-up for Film, TV and Media (QQI Level 6)

This course trains you in professional make-up artistry specifically for screen, stage and photographic contexts. You study character make-up, period looks, special-effects (SFX) prosthetics, body painting, and editorial techniques alongside the technical demands of working under studio lighting and on camera. A typical week combines practical bench sessions applying make-up on live models, theory classes on skin analysis and colour science, and workshops on sourcing and managing a professional kit. Work placements with local production companies, photography studios or theatre groups give you real on-set experience. Some programmes include opportunities linked to Screen Ireland productions, short films and fashion shoots, building a strong portfolio before you graduate.

Entry typically requires a Leaving Certificate or equivalent, with most colleges asking for a minimum of five O6/H7 grades including English. No specific Higher-level subjects are mandatory, though Art, Biology or Home Economics at any level is a useful background. There are no CAO points involved; you apply directly to the college or ETB offering the programme and are usually selected by interview and portfolio review. If you do not have a full Leaving Certificate, QQI Level 5 components in Beauty or Media Make-up can provide a recognised progression route onto this Level 6 award. Mature applicants (23 or over) are welcomed and assessed on relevant experience and motivation rather than formal results alone.

The Irish screen production sector has expanded considerably in recent years, supported by Section 481 tax relief, and this sustains steady demand for trained make-up artists on both home-grown and international productions. Freelance work is the norm in this industry, so building a strong portfolio and professional network during your course is essential to getting started. Entry-level freelance day rates can be modest, but experienced film and TV make-up artists can earn in the region of €35,000–€55,000 per year depending on the volume and scale of productions they work on. SFX specialists and department heads on larger productions command higher rates still.