Level 2 Diploma in Hair & Media Make-Up (2025)

The Level 2 Diploma in Hair & Media Make-up is designed to help you take your first steps towards a career as a make-up artist or hair stylist. You’ll learn the basic techniques to create a variety of make-up and hair looks suitable for film and TV, catwalk and theatre. We’ll teach you how to create an image for your client based on a variety of themes, alongside a range of hair styling techniques including temporary and semi-permanent colour, plaiting, twisting, vertical rolling and blow-drying.

You’ll also learn how to perform lash and brow treatments, create body art and make-up application techniques for daytime, evening and special occasions as well as for photography. You’ll gain an understanding of professional client care and communication, health and safety and growing your general knowledge about the beauty industry.

Practical learning takes place in LCBT’s state-of-the-art make-up rooms, and you’ll be taught by lecturers with extensive make-up and styling experience in the film and TV industries. We will provide you with a uniform to wear whilst you are at college. You will need to purchase the kit to practice techniques for a small fee.

Units

• Day, Evening & Special Occasion Make-Up
• Photographic Make-Up
• Lash & Brow Treatments
• Styling Hair Additions
• Creative Hair Design
• Self-Tanning Techniques
• Body Art
• Creating an Image for a Client
• Client Care
• Health & Safety
• Knowledge of Beauty Industries

Enrichment

You’ll gain practical industry experience and have the opportunity to attend or take part in beauty industry shows, events and careers fairs to help build your knowledge, experience and professional network.

Assessment

Practical assessment, task assignments and online examination.

Awarding Body & Qualification

City & Guilds of London Institute

Level 2 Diploma in Hair and Media Make-up

Entry Requirements

Aged 16-18

Proficient in English reading, writing, listening and speaking.

If you haven’t achieved a minimum grade 4 in GCSE English and/or Maths, you will need to complete Functional Skills or the relevant GCSEs alongside your studies. This will be embedded into your course and is a mandatory government requirement.

Overseas Applicants

Evidence of your legal right to study in the UK will be required. LCBT is unable to provide any assistance with visa applications.

Important Information

We are a diverse college and you may be in a group with students of all genders. You will be required to perform and receive all treatments with students on your course. If you cannot have certain treatments performed for medical reasons please ensure you let us know when you apply.

Start Dates

September 2025

Duration & Timetable

One year, two days a week, including occasional weekends and evenings.

If you need to resit GCSE English or Maths or complete Functional Skills, you will study for an extra 3–6 hours per week, per subject.

16-18

Course fees: fully funded

Materials & kit fees: £170

Uniform fees: fully funded

Your kit includes:

• Beauty Essentials lash/brow tint student kit
• Hair bag with shoulder strap, black with LCBT logo
• HD Cream Liner – Ebony (Black)
• Supreme Mascara – Black
• Lip Rouge Wheel (various)
• Contour Pencil (various)
• Eye Shadow Variety Palette 18 Colors
• Ultra Foundation Stacker (various)
• Trio Palette Blusher Set
• Translucent Powder 15g
• Trio Palette Dual Finish Powder – Highlight /Contour & Bronzer
• Digital Complexion Starter Kit (8 sample size products)
• Brush Collection Basic Kit (12 pieces)
• Brushes (various)
• Eyebrow Forming Tool

For more information, see our .

Our careers advisors can help you decide on the route that is right for you and offer coaching and guidance to support you in securing a job in the make-up industry. They will also help you access current vacancies across the UK, working with over 700 industry partners.

Progression options include:

• Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up

Level 2 Technical Certificate in Make-up Artistry

Designed as a complete introduction to professional make-up and styling techniques, you will learn a broad range of skills in make-up application and hair design and build a portfolio of different looks to help start your career.

Apply Now Explore ›

Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects, Hair & Media Make-up

Designed for those wishing to pursue a career in film, TV and theatre hair and make-up, this course builds on the skills learned at Level 2 to develop a portfolio of advanced techniques and industry knowledge.

Apply Now Explore ›

19+ Level 3 Diploma in Hair and Media Make-Up

Designed especially for those wishing to start a career in hair and media make-up without any prior experience or qualifications, and includes the necessary Level 2 units so that you don’t have to spend extra time and money to start your career.

Apply Now Explore ›