Iver Make-up Academy, The

The Iver Make-up Academy provides the most outstanding industry-recognised training for the next generation of professional and highly skilled make-up, hair and special effects artists in the UK. It is regarded within the industry as the best and most comprehensive training available.

Taught by award winning industry professionals at the heart of the world famous Pinewood Studios, IMA Graduates are thoroughly proficient in all aspects of make-up, sfx, and hair. Their employability and career success speaks for itself.

Students travel from all over the world to take IMA courses.

Once you enrol as a student with us you become part of our team. We do not merely take course fees and teach; we continuously nurture careers for years after graduation. Taking time to provide a caring hub of support and ongoing aftercare with our free agency that places our graduates on a wide variety of jobs in theatre, film, fashion and events. For many years after graduating, The Iver Make-up Academy maintains an open door policy, we are here for any help or advice a graduate may need from job interviews to advice on techniques.

We work in small groups so that we have an excellent tutor to student ratio. The students are able to have constant hands on training with the best in the industry and we don’t only concentrate on the practical skills. Soft skills are vitally important in this competitive industry.

Each tutor is a working professional and selected for their particular speciality and experience. Only recently we had masterclasses with award winning Make-up and Hair artists Jan Sewell, Tina Earnshaw and Jeremy Woodhead. Internationally acclaimed Gorton Studios, headed by Multi Award winning Neill Gorton delivers our prosthetics courses. Ensuring the absolute best of the best.

Every year we send a high number of graduates to work on blockbuster film sets, music videos, commercial shoots, TV dramas, theatre productions and fashion shows. Through their tutors at the IMA, the students are introduced to the necessary network of contacts to help kick-start their careers in their chosen field. Many of these opportunities are provided by our tutors who take students onto their working teams.

I had the best time ever at The Iver Make-up Academy. The facilities are fantastic and the location is amazing. Being at Pinewood Studios! However, the most valuable part of The Iver Academy is the tutors and staff. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and the tutors really are the best of the best and impart their wisdom in a way that made me feel confident in my abilities and my future after Iver. The care doesn't stop when you leave, as well as the agency which is great, the staff and tutors also recommend students for some great jobs (including my current trainee role on a feature film!). I really can't recommend Iver enough, it is an amazing school where you learn so much and make friends for life. In my opinion it really is the best way to start your career in Hair and Make-Up.

Jenny Watson - Graduate - Trainee - Harlots, TV Drama , Trainee –on ‘Best Make-up’ Oscar winner Darkest Hour - Feature Film

Things have been hectic since leaving The Iver and I would like to say thank you. I have enjoyed many opportunities including work with the RSC in Stratford, the National Wedding Show in London, Birmingham and Manchester and I am now on my 4th feature film. I was accepted onto the SKILL SET Trainee programme. The Iver Make-up Academy created a nurturing and supportive space giving me the confidence to grow. Thank you all for helping me on this path.

Nabeel Hussain - Graduate - Feature Film- Skillset trainee programme on going - Stan and Ollie, Johnny English 3 and Artemis Fowl

After attending the open day, the passion towards their work and to share their expertise amongst all the tutors & staff was clear to see, it was inspiring. That’s when I knew this was the right school for me to and I haven’t regretted my decision since. Throughout my training I not only learnt valuable practical skills to develop as a professional hair and make-up artist, I gained an understanding in the importance of discipline and having the right attitude towards work. This really helped prepare me for the world in the industry outside of Iver. Most importantly, you are not forgotten once you graduate! Iver Academy really takes pride in helping their students fulfil their true potential and will always be there to support you. I am currently working as a trainee in crowd on a major film and embracing every moment. The Iver Academy has opened doors of opportunity for me and I will always be grateful

Kashiya Hinds- Graduate- BFI trainee programme and on going trainee positions in TV and Film drama.