The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd
The Iver Make-up Academy is a UK private training institution at Pinewood Studios delivering practical makeup, hair, and special effects courses for aspiring artists entering the film, TV, theatre, and fashion industries. It serves career-changers, beauty professionals, and international students seeking industry-active tutors and work placements.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersPinewood, Iver Heath, United Kingdom
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd does
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd is a privately held UK specialist training institution headquartered at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire. Founded around 2016 and operated by Principal/CEO Liz Tagg and Vice Principal/Co-founder Tamsin Barbosa, the academy delivers practical, in-person makeup, hair, and special effects training for entry into the film, television, theatre, and fashion industries. Its course portfolio spans a 30-week Advanced Certificate (900 hours of practical training), a 15-week Industry Ready Certificate, 1-3 week short courses in theatrical makeup, airbrush, SFX and prosthetics, fashion and beauty, and barbering, as well as a 12-month online Character and Special Effects Masterclass and a Behind Beauty co-branded online programme.
The business model is tuition-driven across full-time courses, short courses, and online subscriptions, with non-refundable deposits, multi-week payment schedules, and support for student loans and third-party sponsorships. Full-time enrolments include a £1,500 makeup kit. The academy supplements tuition revenue with an in-house placement agency (IMA Agency) that connects students and graduates with work on active productions, and operates a bursary and scholarship programme including BAFTA Scholarships. Go-to-market relies on in-person and virtual open days, an alumni word-of-mouth referral loop, content marketing via website and blog, and organic social (Instagram, Facebook). Technology is intentionally low-tech: training is delivered through hands-on practice at a nearly 2,000 sq ft Pinewood Studios facility, with Google Classroom used for online assignment submission.
The teaching team of approximately 20+ tutors comprises working industry professionals whose collective accolades include 1 Oscar, 6 BAFTAs, 2 Primetime Emmys, and 3 Guild Awards. This talent base, combined with the Pinewood Studios location, ScreenSkills Select accreditation, and the BAFTA Scholarship partnership, forms the core competitive moat. The company is privately held with no external investment, no disclosed revenue, and operates as a single-jurisdiction (UK) entity.
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd
- Legal name
- The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd
- Website
- https://iveracademy.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The Iver Make-up Academy is a UK private training institution at Pinewood Studios delivering practical makeup, hair, and special effects courses for aspiring artists entering the film, TV, theatre, and fashion industries. It serves career-changers, beauty professionals, and international students seeking industry-active tutors and work placements.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Makeup and Hair Artistry Training
- NAICS
- Cosmetology and Barber Schools (611511), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Makeup Artistry Training Programs (HSALANAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- SFX/Prosthetic Makeup (HSALAHAF), Intensive Bootcamps & Accelerated ASE Programs (EDAAABAH)
Keywords
Where The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pinewood, Iver Heath
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Full-Time Course Tuition: The academy generates primary revenue from tuition fees for its full-time courses. Course durations range from 1 week to 30 weeks. Deposit payment is required to secure enrollment, with full payment due 6 weeks prior to course start. Payment plans may be available. The academy accepts student loans (covering at least 50% of fees) and third-party sponsorships.
- Short Course Tuition: Revenue from shorter courses including 1-week theatrical makeup, 1-week airbrush/body art, 3-week SFX and prosthetics, 2-week fashion and beauty, and other specialized modules.
- Online Masterclass Subscriptions: 12-month subscription access to online character and special effects masterclasses, with complimentary access to the Behind Beauty platform. Includes practical assignment reviews and live feedback sessions from tutors.
- IMA Agency Commission/Referrals: The in-house agency connects students and graduates with work placements on film, TV, theatre, and fashion productions, providing networking and career support while maintaining academy relationships with industry.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Advanced Certificate in Makeup and Hair Artistry - 30 weeks |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Industry Ready Certificate - 15 weeks |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Short Courses (1-3 weeks) |
| Subscription | Annual | Character and Special Effects Online Masterclass - 12 months |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Top-Up Courses |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Iver Make-up Academy delivers professional makeup, hair, and special effects (SFX) training courses for the film, TV, theatre, and fashion industries from its Pinewood Studios facility. Course offerings span full-time certificates (30-week Advanced Certificate with 900 hours of practical training and 15-week Industry Ready Certificate), short courses (1-3 weeks covering theatrical, airbrush, SFX/prosthetics, fashion, and barbering), and online 12-month masterclasses in character and SFX makeup. The academy supplements its training with an in-house talent placement agency (IMA Agency) that connects graduates with paid work on industry productions.
Product overview
The Iver Make-up Academy is a specialist training institution offering a portfolio of makeup, hair, and special effects courses primarily for film, TV, theatre, and fashion industries. The programme structure consists of full-time certificate courses (Advanced Certificate - 30 weeks, Industry Ready Certificate - 15 weeks), short intensive courses (1-3 weeks covering theatrical makeup, airbrushing, SFX prosthetics, fashion hair), and online masterclasses (Character & Special Effects, Behind Beauty). The academy provides integrated career support through its in-house Agency placement service. Located at Pinewood Studios, the training is backed by an Oscar, six BAFTAs, and two Emmy nominations held by the teaching staff. All full-time course students receive a professional kit worth £1,500 included in tuition fees.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Advanced Certificate In Makeup And Hair Artistry 30-week intensive full-time programme providing comprehensive training in makeup and hair artistry for film, TV, theatre, and fashion industries. Includes 900 hours of practical hands-on training (5 days/week, 6 hours/day). ScreenSkills Select accredited. Includes a professional makeup kit worth £1,500.
- Industry Ready Certificate In Makeup And Hair Artistry 15-week accelerated full-time programme preparing students for immediate entry into the makeup and hair artistry industry for TV, film, and theatre.
- Airbrush Makeup, Body Art Course 1-week intensive course covering airbrush makeup techniques, body art, and body painting applications for screen and fashion work.
- Special Effects And Prosthetics Application Course 3-week course teaching special effects makeup techniques including silicone prosthetics, life casting, sculpting, moulding, and application for film and TV productions.
- Theatrical Makeup Course 1-week course covering theatrical makeup techniques for stage productions, including period looks, character makeup, and quick-change procedures for live performances.
- Fashion And Beauty Makeup & Hair Artistry Course 2-week programme focusing on fashion and beauty makeup techniques and hair styling for editorial, commercial, and fashion industry applications.
- Further Prosthetics Makeup FX Course 3-week advanced course building on prosthetics foundation, covering gelatine, foam latex, silicone prosthetic creation, and complex prosthetic applications.
- Beginner Haircutting And Barbering Course 1-week introductory course teaching fundamental haircutting and barbering techniques for aspiring hair and makeup artists.
- Character and Special Effects Online Masterclass 12-month subscription online course covering core SFX techniques including on-skin silicon wounds, prosthetic burns and scars, ageing techniques, and bald cap application. Includes video tutorials, practical assignments submitted via Google Classroom, and live tutor feedback sessions.
- Behind Beauty Programme Curated platform of professional makeup masterclasses filmed in high definition, produced in partnership with Behind Beauty. Covers career pathways, working in film/fashion/editorial, kit building, pricing, and client acquisition.
- Taster Hair and Makeup Course 2-day introductory course allowing prospective students to experience makeup and hair training before committing to longer programmes.
- The Iver Academy Agency Agency service connecting graduates with work placement opportunities in the makeup and hair industry. Available to all current students and graduates, providing networking and employment pathways.
- Bursary and Scholarship Programme Financial support programme including BAFTA Scholarships for Advanced Course training and other funding options for prospective students.
Quantifiable outcome
- All graduates have secured employment in the industry
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- National Film and Television School (NFTS)coreFormal partnership with NFTS in Beaconsfield, Bucks. The academy supplies hair and makeup talent for NFTS student film and television productions, with several IMA students working on projects ranging from short films to adverts. The partnership provides practical work experience opportunities for IMA students and graduates.
- BAFTA Scholarship ProgrammecoreThe academy is part of the BAFTA Scholarship Programme and is the sole academy whose students have been awarded multiple BAFTA Scholarships for training on the Advanced Course. This provides financial support for students and strengthens industry connections.
- Pinewood StudioscoreThe academy is located within Pinewood Studios, providing students with access to one of the world's most famous film studio complexes. This strategic location enables networking opportunities with visiting makeup designers and potential work experience on active productions.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Met Film School: Film and screen-focused school offering practical makeup and hair training alongside broader film production programmes. Overlaps with IMA in targeting aspiring screen-industry professionals.
- Delamar Academy: UK-based makeup and hair school offering film, TV, theatre, and fashion courses. Directly competes with IMA for the same domestic and international student cohort and similar curriculum scope.
- London College of Makeup: Long-established UK specialist makeup training school offering media, fashion, and SFX courses. Direct competitor for the same UK-based aspiring makeup artists across full-time and short-course formats.
Emerging players
- Make-up Designory (MUD): US-based makeup artistry school with strong brand and multiple campuses. Comparable curriculum across beauty, character, and SFX, with a broader geographic footprint but less UK industry integration.
- Cinema Makeup School: Los Angeles-based specialist school focused on film and television makeup. Comparable curriculum in SFX, prosthetics, and media makeup, serving a similar international student persona.
Others
- Kryolan: Professional makeup brand offering branded training courses and masterclasses alongside product sales. Adjacent rather than direct: enables but does not compete with full qualification-based makeup training.
Broad incumbents
- University of the Arts London (London College of Fashion): Major UK higher-education institution offering media makeup and hair degree programmes. Competes with IMA's Master's pathway on credential grounds and benefits from government student finance access.
- ScreenSkills: UK industry skills body that accredits IMA's Advanced Course and funds industry training. Not a competitor but a partner/incumbent that shapes accreditation, funding, and standards across the screen-training sector.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd social profiles
Digital presenceThe Iver Make-up Academy Ltd compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd
What does The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd do?
The Iver Make-up Academy delivers professional makeup, hair, and special effects (SFX) training courses for the film, TV, theatre, and fashion industries from its Pinewood Studios facility. Course offerings span full-time certificates (30-week Advanced Certificate with 900 hours of practical training and 15-week Industry Ready Certificate), short courses (1-3 weeks covering theatrical, airbrush, SFX/prosthetics, fashion, and barbering), and online 12-month masterclasses in character and SFX makeup. The academy supplements its training with an in-house talent placement agency (IMA Agency) that connects graduates with paid work on industry productions.
Is The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd a public or private company?
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd founded?
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd was founded in -1.
Where is The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd based?
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd is headquartered in Pinewood, Iver Heath, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Full-Time Course Tuition is the primary driver. The others are short Course Tuition, online Masterclass Subscriptions and IMA Agency Commission/Referrals.
Who are The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Met Film School, Delamar Academy and London College of Makeup. Emerging players are Make-up Designory (MUD) and Cinema Makeup School. Kryolan is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are University of the Arts London (London College of Fashion) and ScreenSkills.
Does The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd.
What industry is The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd in?
The Iver Make-up Academy Ltd's product category is Professional Makeup and Hair Artistry Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSALANAE, Makeup Artistry Training Programs, with a secondary code of HSALAHAF, SFX/Prosthetic Makeup. Its NAICS code is 611511 and its SIC code is 8200.