Overview
Learn the skills for a successful career as a make-up artist or technician for film, TV or photography with a Diploma of Screen and Media CUA51020 (Specialist Make-Up Services) at Victoria University Polytechnic.
You will learn the practical and technical skills to apply specialised make-up for:
- feature film and television productions
- fashion and wedding photography
- theatre
- music videos
- runway
- media special effects
- body art and facepainting events.
You will learn to:
- design specialised make-up
- create special effects
- style production hair
- interpret design briefs
- present photographic portfolios
- apply body art
- provide freelance services.
Victoria University Polytechnic is recognised as the leading make-up school in Australia. We will ensure you have all the skills to succeed as a make-up and hair stylist or designer in the creative industries. You will learn from industry professionals and gain an understanding of business plans, marketing and client interactions in the industry.
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Request a call back from one of our experienced Victoria University Polytechnic course advisers to get your questions answered.
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Find out about Aura at VU, a simulated salon environment where clients can relax and experience a range of hair, barbering and beauty services in one pampering location. Students have the opportunity to perfect their skills, including customer service and retail skills.
Careers in make-up
Possible career opportunities emerging from the completion of CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-Up Services) include:
- air brusher
- bridal make-up artist
- hair and Wig stylist
- prosthetics artist
- special make-up effects artist.
Graduates of this qualification further venture into:
- setting up own business
- working in theatre
- film and television industry.
Course structure
The course structure comprises the following core and elective units. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback.
To be awarded CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media, a student must successfully complete a total of fifteen (15) units of competency, consisting of:
- four (4) Core Units, and;
- eleven (11) Elective Units, of which:
- nine (9) units must be selected from the electives listed within the qualification, and;
- two (2) units may be selected from the remaining listed electives or any currently endorsed training package qualification or accredited course at Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level.
Specialisations:The Polytechnic currently offers the following specialisation(s):
- Specialist Make-up Services.
To be awarded CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-Up Services), a student must successfully complete a total of fifteen (15) units of competency, consisting of:
*four (4) Core Units, and;
*eleven (11) Elective Units, of which:
-
nine (9) units must be selected from the electives listed within the qualification, of which;
- six (6) units should be from Group B and must include CUAMUP411 Design, apply and remove make-up and CUAMUP413 Style hair for productions. and;
- two (2) units may be selected from the remaining listed electives or any currently endorsed training package qualification or accredited course at Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level.
Elective units must be relevant to the work environment and the qualification, maintain the integrity of the AQF alignment and contribute to a valid vocational outcome as well as be approved by VU Polytechnic.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
Core units
-
- Unit code
- CUAIND412
-
- Unit code
- CUAIND512
-
- Unit code
- CUAPPR411
-
- Unit code
- CUAPPR515
Elective units
Group B - Specialist make-up services
-
- Unit code
- CUAMUP411
-
- Unit code
- CUAMUP412
-
- Unit code
- CUAMUP413
-
- Unit code
- CUAMUP414
-
- Unit code
- CUAMUP512
-
- Unit code
- CUAMUP513
-
- Unit code
- CUASFX411
-
- Unit code
- SHBHDES004
Group C - Screen and media
-
- Unit code
- BSBPMG430
Group D - General
-
- Unit code
- CUADES412
-
- Unit code
- CUADES413
Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers
Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.
Group D - General
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of those who work in a range of screen and media industries, including animation, gaming and digital effects, specialist make-up services, film and television, radio and podcasting, lighting and sound, and content creation environments.They apply technical and theoretical concepts in a broad range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled work. They will have technical and theoretical knowledge, with depth in some areas in a field of work.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
As part of the application process, applicants must
-
be 16 years or over by the time of commencement of the program
-
complete a Pre-training Review (PTR)
- undertake a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment to determine suitability for admission.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Available start dates:
- 5 February 2024
Before you apply
Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Apply direct to VU using our admission centre, submit applications for one or more courses, track and save your progress and upload additional information.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
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Contact VU Polytechnic
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.