of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them
Award
MA
Duration
1.5 years FT
Placement
Opportunities available
Entry
September
Fees
View Fees
£1.3m invested in our practical training facilities
Wide variety of job opportunities in prosthetics/make-up and the wider TV/film industry
From major feature films to big budget series on TV and streaming platforms, high-end productions are in need of skilful prosthetics professionals who can wow audiences. Almost 60,000 people work in the film industry, and in response to demand from screen employers for greater skills training, our Prosthetics for Film and Television postgraduate course will teach you advanced techniques for creating unique screen characters in this highly competitive and exciting field.
Our course is led by experts who have worked on celebrated productions including Game of Thrones, Doctor Who and Guardians of the Galaxy. You will learn from these professionals and master your technical skills in our state-of-the-art prosthetics suite, including an editorial studio where you can photograph and screen test your work for your portfolio. In addition, you will learn how to handle complex issues behind the scenes such as how to change and refine designs as a production progresses.
To support your progress in what is predominantly a freelance-driven industry, our prosthetics master's course includes a voluntary placement so you can gain valuable real-world experience. You will also learn how to answer diverse commercial briefs and build upon your entrepreneurial skills, ensuring you are ready to head out and make your mark in the sector.
Work produced by Lecturer Dan Frye
Why should I choose this course?
- PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Perfect your practical skills in our purpose-built prosthetics workshops on campus
- WORK PLACEMENT – Undertake valuable work placements in the commercial world, supported by our strong industry links
- EXPERT TEACHING – Study and work alongside industry professionals, including lecturers who have designed incredible prosthetics for shows such as Doctor Who and Game of Thrones
- ENRICHMENT – Meet a diverse range of speakers with extensive experience offering real insight into the industry
There are lots of reasons why we think you should study with us, but here are our top 5. View video.
Our facilities
Designed to encourage inventiveness and innovation, our purpose-built prosthetics workshops at University College Birmingham give you the ideal environment to develop the advanced technical skills you need to flourish in this industry.
Our two state-of-the-art suites enable you to undertake a wide variety of industry-led processes working alongside industry professionals
Our workshops on campus are equipped for processes ranging from fibreglass resin mould-making and sculpting to casting of silicone and foam latex prosthetic pieces
If you want to work in the editorial fashion sector, our suite includes an editorial studio where you can learn how to perfect your make-up and hair work for the camera and discover how to light, compose and take professional studio photographs
Our Digital Creative Studio hosts high-spec computers with Adobe Creative Cloud software, ZBrush software and graphics tablets, as well as audio podcasting, vision mixing and editing facilities
Students on our postgraduate courses have exclusive access to our dedicated postgraduate suite in McIntyre House, providing study and meeting spaces, PCs and other facilities.
Course breakdown
- Postgraduate
Core Modules
Casualty Simulation
This module will provide an in-depth study of the human anatomy, structure, function and proportion being a primary focus. Students will utilise their anatomical knowledge to sculpt, mould, cast, colour and create realistic body parts to simulate surgical procedures in relation to a given brief. The culmination of these final body parts will be presented to an audience and will incorporate blood and bladder work to simulate functions of the organs/body during surgery on cue.
Character Essentials
This module will embrace the role of the prosthetic artist for film and television by working behind the scenes to a specific industry scenario/brief. Students will design and plan character prosthetic make-up transformations through analysis of the design scenario/brief and researching appropriate industry methods and materials. Students will then realise these designs, working to a budget to create a series of prosthetic appliances, with face/neck and hands being a primary focus. The completed character prosthetic transformations will then be screen tested to demonstrate the functionality of the transformation. Continuity skills will be demonstrated by reproducing the transformation again on a separate shoot day in order to gain footage and stills, which will be used as professional portfolio pieces.
Concept Artist
Sculpture is a three dimensional, visual language which forms a foundation for many artistic creations within the creative arts sector. Being able to sculpt in both clay and digital mediums will enable you to communicate effectively with clients and production teams for film and TV character prosthetics. Whilst the processes of working in clay or digital media are very different, each one requires artistic ability, creativity, precision, accuracy and manual dexterity. This module will focus around both digital manipulation and traditional sculpture in order for you to design characters aligned with industry led briefs. It will teach fundamentals skills through digital packages, such as Photoshop and ZBrush as well as explore the art of sculpture, refining both towards the prosthetic make-up sector.
Professional Standards, Innovation and Practice
This module will help to prepare students for onward employability within the commercial sector. It will give students experience working within a commercial studio towards specific client briefs. The module allows students the opportunity to investigate a potential skill gap, innovation or opportunity within the sector in order to present a practical response to the identified, demonstrating their understanding of the sector and advancement of their technical skill. Students will present their practical response to develop skills within networking, self-promotion and critical analysis in order to show an application of the key technical and transferable skills reflective of onward employability within their sector.
The modules listed above are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain up-to-date as well as being informed by industry and the latest teaching methods. Occasionally we may need to make unexpected alterations to modules – should this happen, we will communicate with all offer holders as soon as possible.
Entry requirements
Academic entry requirements
A 3 Year Degree with an average of at least 60%
A 4 Year Degree with an overall average of at least 55%
Postgraduate diploma
Applicants holding a 3 Year Degree with an average between 55-60% or a 4 Year degree with an average between 50% and 55%, will be offered entry onto the Postgraduate Diploma in the first instance. Those achieving Masters level passes on the Postgraduate Diploma can proceed to the Masters gaining the award in the same amount of time as if they had initially registered on the Masters Programme initially.
English entry requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need a recognised English Language qualification to meet the entry requirements onto a degree programme.
English Entry requirements for students applying from India
| Board | Minimum Requirement (2021) |
|---|---|
| CBSE | B Grade |
| ICSE | 60% |
| Cambridge | B Grade / 6 Pointer |
| Maharashtra State | 60% |
| Andhra Pradesh | 60% |
| Kerala | 60% |
| Karnataka | 60% |
| West Bengal | 60% |
If you do not have one of the above qualifications, please see here for the full list of accepted alternatives.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
IELTS 6.5 with no element less than 6.0
After completing our BA where we found a passion for prosthetics, we both decided to progress onto a masters. This course offered so much in regards to developing our skills and knowledge about the industry.
Ellie and Morgan
Prosethics for Film and Television MA
Key information
Teaching and assessment
This postgraduate course will be delivered by a variety of methods including lectures, demonstrations, experiential and reflective learning, all supported with additional workshop time. You will have the opportunity to interact with guest speakers and leading specialists from industry.
You will also be expected to engage with independent reading and research to ensure an interactive and personalised learning experience. Your work will undergo industry-led processes, such as screen testing, continuity and character transformations within classes.
You will be assessed by a range of methods to encourage the development of a full portfolio of your own work. These include filmed screen tests, reflective journals, CPD work logs, reports, practical skills exhibitions, sculpture maquette and 3D designs case studies.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024 (UK website).
Uniform and kit costs
This course will require you to purchase a uniform and kit costing approximately £500, depending on the items you buy. (Costs are subject to change each year – more details on exact pricing and how to order the items you need will be supplied to you before you enrol.)
70%
Work placements
Placements provide you with vital real-life experience and help build your skills and confidence before you graduate, as well as potentially leading to a job after your studies. Our dedicated hired@UCB employability team will help you to find your ideal placement.
Our MA Prosthetics for Film and TV course features a voluntary work placement. We will work alongside employers to help you form connections for placement at the end of your first year. You will have built the skills, confidence and resilience needed to take on industry-led work opportunities. Please note that placement opportunities are quite often at short notice and require travel, so it will be crucial to prepare for this.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, please be aware that opportunities to travel overseas for placements, residential trips or project work may be affected by government travel restrictions. Please see our Covid FAQs page (UK website) for more information.
This course focuses attention on keeping up-to-date with industry standards, from concept design to casualty simulation, supporting me in gaining all the skills I need to further my career in film and television. I have gained valuable skills and confidence, my strongest area being sculpture – and I aspire to specialise in this after my studies.
Career opportunities
- Make-up artist
- Artworker
- Production designer, theatre/television/film
- Runner, broadcasting/film/video
- Prosthetics technician
- Prosthetics artist
Please note: The examples of roles are to serve only as a guide.
hired@UCB
Our dedicated careers, employability and placements team is here to support you in every step towards your future.