Make-up Skills is an evening class taught once a week at Edinburgh College’s Granton campus. Explore the make-up industry and push your creative potential; whether you’re looking to pursue a career in the performing arts industry, improve your own make-up techniques or wanting to start a new hobby.  

This National Progression Award (NPA) is the only Make-up Skills at SCQF Level 5 offered by an Awarding Organisation. This qualification will give you essential skills in the key aspects of make-up focusing on specific make-up styles including young, mature and corrective techniques.?There are no formal entry requirements for this course and thus will suit a wide range of candidates; from school leavers to adult returners who wish to enter the beauty industry. This course will prepare you for further study of Make-up Artistry at a higher level.  

This is the perfect choice for learners who might have full-time work or family commitments. You will learn several make-up techniques including how to apply the perfect base, contouring and essential skills for classic?make-up?looks. This course is a great starting point for a role in a salon or in retail or could be a steppingstone onto one the full-time courses offered at Edinburgh College. 

• Contemporary makeup
• Portfolio Building
• Theoretical elements
• Bridal and Evening 
• Day Make Up Basic and Corrective

• There are no formal entry requirements but an interest in make-up artistry is essential 

• IELTS 5.5

• Some open book written assignments
• Strong emphasis on practical performance showing skills learned through workshops and demonstrations

You will be required to apply detailing your previous education and experience as well as a personal statement. In this statement, you should demonstrate your commitment and focus. 

• Full-time NC Makeup Artistry course 

• Make-up artist in a salon 
• Freelance make-up artist 

• One evening per week (Thursday  17:30 - 20:30) 
• You will be expected to complete work outside of College class hours 

Make-up student Rebecca Kerr has had a year to remember having won two medals – gold and silver – at the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) national finals in Blackpool at only 17-years-old.  

And now top it off, Rebecca has collected the Chair’s Award for Outstanding Achievement at the College’s annual Prize Giving ceremony held at Granton Campus. 

Rebecca decided to come to Edinburgh College to study something she has a real passion for and along the way she has been able to meeting amazing and inspiring people as well as take part in competitions including AHT and WorldSkills, and to do make-up with professionals already working in the industry. She said:  

“I would have to say my biggest achievement in college was going to the AHT hairdressing and beauty competitions in Blackpool, representing Edinburgh College and winning first place in the Fantasy Hair and Make-up and also silver in the Fantasy Make-up. It was such an amazing weekend and a brilliant opportunity to meet other students and professionals from the industry.”  

Read more of our student stories here. 

Evening

• Tuesday 01/09/2020

Evening

• Friday 18/06/2021