National Film And Television School Expands Screen Craft Training With New Costume Design And Hair & Makeup Courses, Supported By Oscar Winning Sandy Powell & The Iver Makeup Academy
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) today announced the launch of two brand new specialist courses in Costume Design and Hair and Makeup, marking a significant expansion of the School’s world leading training for behind-the-scenes screen craft.
The courses are the first entirely new programmes to be housed in the recently announced The Cubby Broccoli Building, currently under development at the School’s Beaconsfield campus and slated to open its doors in January 2027. The building forms the centrepiece of the School’s expansion and will provide accessible new facilities, designed to support the next generation of creative talent working across film, television and games.
The announcement of the new courses comes following this year’s Oscar’s, recognising the vital contribution of craft disciplines such as costume design and hair and makeup in shaping cinematic storytelling and world-building on screen.
Costume Design and hair and makeup are essential to the language of visual storytelling.
To mark the launch of the two-year Costume Design for Film and Television MFA, the NFTS has worked with three-time Academy Award winning costume designer Sandy Powell, who has closely advised on the development of the new course. In recognition of her extraordinary contribution to the craft, the NFTS is also launching The Sandy Powell Scholarship, which will support future students studying Costume Design. Sandy has designed some of the most visually stunning and iconic films of recent times including The Aviator, Cinderella, The Favourite, Mary Poppins Returns and The Wolf of Wall Street.
The new one-year Hair and Makeup for Film and Television MA will be delivered by the NFTS, drawing on specialist expertise from The Iver Makeup Academy. Its Principal, Elizabeth Tagg has been appointed as course leader at the NFTS. The course will combine the NFTS’ internationally recognised screen training with advanced teaching in professional hair, makeup, wigs and prosthetics, shaped by The Iver Makeup Academy’s wealth of industry experience.
The new courses will welcome their first intakes in January 2027 and have been launched in response to growing demand across the UK screen industries for highly skilled specialists working in costume, hair and makeup, disciplines that play a fundamental role in character creation, visual identity and historical authenticity across film and high-end TV productions.
Jon Wardle, NFTS Director said: “Costume Design and hair and makeup are essential to the language of visual storytelling. The launch of these two new courses represents an important step in ensuring the UK continues to nurture world-class talent in these vital disciplines. We are particularly honoured to welcome Sandy Powell as Costume Design ambassador and to launch a scholarship in her name. Sandy’s incredible career and commitment to the craft are an inspiration to the next generation of designers who will emerge from the NFTS. The Hair and Makeup MA benefits from the specialist expertise of The Iver Makeup Academy, ensuring students gain access to best-in-class professional knowledge and industry practice.”
Sandy Powell, Costume Designer commented: “Costume Design is the art of creating characters and storytelling, combining the disciplines of craft, psychology, diplomacy and most importantly, collaboration! The opportunity to support emerging talent through the NFTS is incredibly meaningful, particularly at a time when the industry needs skilled designers more than ever. I’m honoured to work with the School on this new course and excited to help support the next generation of costume designers through the funding provided by The Sandy Powell Scholarship.”
Elizabeth Tagg, Course Leader and Principal of The Iver Makeup Academy added: “Most hair and makeup training focuses purely on craft and working in junior roles within departments. The step from junior artist to supervising is a very different skill set. Artists must understand budgeting, team leadership and how their department collaborates with production, costume and visual effects teams. This course was created to provide that progression. Through The Iver Makeup Academy’s collaboration with NFTS, students train within a real filmmaking environment while building relationships with other departments and an exceptional alumni network - preparing them for the next generation of supervising and designing roles in film and television.”