About the Course

Course Description:

For the Diploma of Make-Up, students will gain application skills in prosthetics, special effects, stage, photographic, bridal, period, television, film and fashion make-up. Also, hairstyling, facial hair manufacture and wig styling and maintenance. All tutors are professional make-up artists, hairdressers and wigmakers currently working within the industry.

Aims & Objectives:

This course aims to provide:

• Training in all aspects of make-up beginning with Morphology, the study of bones and muscles of the face
• Study of theatre make-up, covering straight, ageing and character work
• Period make-up, both in theory and practice, working through the decades to 1990s
• The use of special effects make-up for film and television eg. ageing, wounds etc
• Prosthetic work including plaster impressions, clay modelling, the manufacture of latex pieces and bald caps for film & television
• The manufacture of facial hair pieces, moustaches etc
• Maintenance and care of wigs and hair pieces
• Business management for the make-up artist and on set protocol
• Study of script analysis, continuity for film and television
• An understanding of the principles of colour theory, painting and sculpture in art techniques
• Hairstyling
• Wig dressing/styling

Course Structure:

The full-time course has an average workload of 4 days per week (24 hours per week). Total student contact hours include lectures, practical work, flexible learning delivery and research time.  All students will also complete (out of class time) 70 hours of Industry Placement.

Units of Study:

Make-Up 1 (Basic)
Design apply and remove make-up
Implement workplace health, safety and security procedures

Make-Up 2 (Special Effects)
Design apply and remove special effects make-up
Dress hair for a performance or production
Design and apply industry knowledge

Make-Up 3 (Period and Specialised)
Design apply and remove period and specialised make-up
Dress (style) wigs
Maintain wigs and hairpieces
Work in a culturally diverse environment

Properties Management
Co-ordinate the purchase and hire of equipment and supplies
Realise costumes

Project Work
Manage a project
Develop a budget
Develop and implement an operation plan
Conduct a briefing
Conduct research
Participate in, lead and facilitate a team

Employment Outcomes

Career Opportunities:

Employment in the film, television, theatre, photographic and fashion industries.

Professional recognition:

The course is delivered from the Film, Television and Multimedia Package and is a nationally accredited qualification.

How To Apply

Entry Requirements:

Satisfactory completion of an appropriate Victorian Year 12 or its equivalent. Mature age and those already working in the industry are invited to apply. All applicants must present a folio at interview.

Credit Transfer:

Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted 'credit' and/or entry to the course with 'advanced standing'. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information refer to the Credit Transfer Guide at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//

Pathways (articulation):

An advanced credit transfer system, known as the Pathways program, is in place at Swinburne. Through Pathways, students with one or more of a wide range of post-secondary qualifications (both local and international) can gain entry into a course with advanced standing. Certain subject requirements must be met and an acceptable standard of results achieved in order to gain admission and for maximum credit to be granted. For further information refer to the Credit Transfer Guide at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training.

Further details for students considering TAFE courses can be found on the RPL website.

Course Fees:

TAFE course fees are set by the government, and from 1 January 2008 the fees payable by students enrolled in the TAFE division may be made up of the following:

• Tuition fee ($1.37 per student contact hour)
• Amenities fee
• Materials charges (where applicable)
• Ancillary fee (where applicable)

Concession fees apply for health care card holders.

For full details on TAFE fees, visit the student fees website.

Application Procedure:

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Further information: