
VTCT (iTEC) Level 3 DIPLOMA in Fashion, Theatre and Media Make-up (International Accredited Diploma Course)
Note: No additional fees are required for classes. Graduates are welcome to review the content free of charge.
Note: The institution is a government-recognized employment referral agency. It can provide job referrals and teaching opportunities (e.g., course assistant) for outstanding graduates, offering more career pathways.
[Course Objective]
This course aims to equip learners with the necessary practical skills and knowledge to provide fashion, theatre, and media make-up services to the public and performers, and to gain employment within the theatre and media make-up industry. Suitable for learners aged 16 and above, the course aims to provide a Level 3 vocational competency and a solid foundation for further study at Levels 3 and 4.
[Learning Hours]
- - The total course duration is 126 hours, divided into theoretical and practical components. Students will practice in a simulated environment to enhance their skills.
- - Total Qualification Time (TQT): 480 hours | Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 200 hours
[Course Duration]
[Entry Requirements]
- - Aged 16 or above
- - Proficient in Cantonese, Mandarin, or English
- - Proficient in reading and writing Chinese or English
- - The centre must ensure learners possess the knowledge, understanding, and skills required to enroll and successfully achieve this qualification.
[Course Content / Syllabus]
**This course is developed based on the syllabus of the standard VTCT iTEC curriculum**
Upon completion of this unit, learners will be able to:
1) International Infection Prevention
- - Understand health, safety, and hygiene requirements, including first aid kit contents, accident recording, fire safety equipment, electrical safety checks, disinfection and sterilization methods, personal and salon hygiene, awareness of blood-borne diseases, and waste disposal.
2) Knowledge of Make-up Products & Techniques
- - Identify skin types and conditions (e.g., dry, oily, combination, mature, sensitive, dehydrated).
- - Master client consultation and communication skills, including completing consultation cards, checking for skin disorders and contraindications, obtaining informed consent.
- - Select make-up products based on occasion, client's skin tone, age, and preferences.
- - Prepare the skin for treatment (cleansing, toning, moisturizing, priming).
- - Understand the effects of lighting on make-up.
- - Identify skin tone, face shape, eye shape, nose shape, lip shape, and apply appropriate corrective techniques.
- - Use color corrective creams, concealers, contouring, and highlighting techniques.
- - Master airbrush techniques and tool disinfection methods.
- - Complete make-up within industry-acceptable time limits (e.g., day make-up application and removal within a maximum of 30 minutes).
- - Understand the science of cosmetic ingredients and the differences and uses of various skincare and cosmetic products.
- - Practical Assessment Areas:
- Day Make-up
- Evening Make-up
- Special Occasion Make-up
- Bridal Make-up
- Corrective Make-up
3) Professional Conduct & Business Studies
- - Understand principles of ethical practice, including the meaning of contraindications, the impact and legal implications of advertising, the necessity of professional indemnity insurance, client confidentiality, obtaining consent, codes of professional ethics, continuous professional development, and professionalism.
- - Understand the importance of communication, including consultation cards, ethical dialogue, client record keeping, handling negative feedback, effective questioning techniques, body language, and maintaining good working relationships.
- - Master financial and costing principles, including basic business principles, stock control systems, treatment costing, and the benefits of providing treatments.
- - Understand retail principles, including salon/clinic layout planning, the importance of providing retail services, the role of the receptionist, and basic safety hazards.
- - Master effective sales and marketing techniques, including basic sales principles, main forms of advertising, and planning presentations or demonstrations.
4) Fashion, Stage & Special Effects Make-up
- - Understand facial anatomy, physiology, and skin pathology (bones, muscles, skin structure and function, skin types, disorders, contraindications, skin cancer, and the aging process).
- - Understand lighting effects and colour theory (primary light colours, types of studio lighting, colour theory, colour wheel, light and shadow, texture creation).
- - Understand make-up application for different occasions/productions (main male/female roles, stage make-up, dance/ballet, rugged characters, Egyptian, Indian, Oriental/Geisha, Restoration period, wizard, transgender, animal, fairy tale characters, black & white film/photography make-up, minimal/dramatic/glamorous make-up, children's make-up, catwalk/fashion film make-up, body art, etc.).
- - Understand the historical influences on make-up (Egyptian, periods from the 16th to 21st centuries, including men's and women's styles).
- - Be able to apply fashion, theatre, and media make-up (skin preparation, product selection, foundation application, concealing and correction, contouring, eye and lip shape correction, handling mature skin, hygiene procedures, application for film/TV/theatre/stage make-up, and removal methods).
- - Be able to apply airbrush make-up (techniques, equipment preparation, health and safety procedures).
- - Be able to apply false eyelashes (product use, treatment area preparation, identification of contraindications, application techniques, and removal/care).
- - Be able to apply special effects make-up (disability effects, bald caps, wig application, SFX product application, and professional hygiene standards).
- - Practical Assessment Areas (30 character portfolios required):
- Aging Make-up
- Mime Make-up
- Fantasy Make-up
- Special Character Make-up
- Corrective (Camouflage) Make-up
- High Fashion Make-up
- Dance/Ballet Make-up
- Oriental Make-up
- Period Make-up (5 different era styles)
- Fairy Tale Make-up
- Animal Character
- Character using prosthetics
- Character featuring bruising and scars
5) Special Effects (SFX)
- - Scars, Bruises, Wounds, Burns
- - Applying Crepe Hair (beards and stubble)
- - Four Special Effects Looks (as part of the character portfolio)
* Bonus: Keratin Lash Lift Course (Requires payment of $680 for keratin kit tools; models must be provided by the learner)
[Products]
[Assessment Fees]
[Assessment Methods]
- External Practical Exam: Conducted by an external examiner at the end of the learning period. Assesses a fashion/media make-up and one full character look (including two special effects).
- External Theory Exam: Multiple-choice questions (MCQ) conducted in a controlled environment, 55 minutes long, pass mark is 60%. Grading: Pass (60-74%), Merit (75-89%), Distinction (90-100%).
- Evidence Portfolio:
- Make-up Unit: 5 treatment evidences (for 5 different clients), covering corrective, day, evening, special occasion, and bridal make-up. Each evidence requires consultation records, medical history, skin analysis, treatment details (including make-up charts), before/after photos, and client feedback.
- Fashion, Theatre & SFX Unit: A portfolio containing 30 created characters, requiring research materials, sketches, clear step-by-step creation instructions, process photos, and reflective practice.
- Overall Grade: Based on the combined rules of each unit, the overall qualification grade is Pass, Merit, or Distinction.
[Benefits for Learners]
- - Online Q&A, wholesale discounts from international beauty brands, participation in large-scale graduation ceremony (wearing gown and cap), overseas large-scale international beauty competitions, overseas study tours, rental of beauty rooms and beds.
[Certificates Awarded]
- - VTCT Skills (ITEC) Level 3 Diploma in Fashion, Theatre and Media Make-up (Qualification No.: 603/4049/6)
- - ITEC Award Level 2 in Infection Prevention (Requires additional HK$800)
- - IQA Level 3 DIPLOMA in Fashion And Media Make-Up (Requires additional HK$600)
- - LBEDU Academy DIPLOMA in Fashion And Media Make-Up
[Accreditation]
VTCT (iTEC) / IQA / LBEDU
[Professional Qualification Recognition]
After completing the course, graduates can self-fund exams for other professional qualifications to obtain other international recognitions:
- - UK CITY & GUILDS CERTIFICATE in Keratin Lash lift and Tinting
- - Korea BHL Certificate in Make-Up Level 3
- - Korea BHL Certificate in Make-Up Level 5
- - Korea IFBC Certificate in Make-Up
- - Korea SISA Certificate in Make-Up (After course completion, can apply to become SISA Vice President.)
- - Korea GPF Certificate in Make-Up
- - Korea K-Beauty Certificate in Make-Up
- - Hong Kong IQA Diploma in Fashion, Theatre and Media Make-Up Level 3
- - Hong Kong IAEA Certificate in Make-Up CPD.
- - Hong Kong IAEA Certificate in Make-Up REG.
- - USA IAPC Certified International Make-Up Professionalist Level 3
- - USA IAPC Certified International Make-Up Professionalist Level 5
[Progression/Other Courses]
- Upon successful achievement of this qualification, learners can progress to other VTCT Skills (ITEC) or equivalent Level 2, 3, 4 qualifications, for example:
- - Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing, Diploma in Beauty Specialist
- - Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy
- - Level 4 Diploma in Advanced Skin Studies, Diploma in Laser and Light Therapies, Diploma in Spa and Salon/Skin Clinic Management
- After completing the course, graduates can enroll in other professional courses to obtain qualifications in other areas: (Click on courses for more details)

ITEC History - Established 1947
What is iTEC? The name iTEC stands for International Therapy Examination Council, and has been used since 1973.
International Therapy Examination Council (iTEC) was established in 1947. As a leading international awarding organisation, it has consistently awarded high-quality and respected qualifications and is recognized and funded by the UK Department for Education. It is a leading UK professional examination board, providing high-quality qualifications that enable professional practice in the UK and worldwide. iTEC currently has registered centres in countries across Africa, North America, South America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
iTEC, on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), offers over 400 UK government-recognized and Europe-recognized qualifications accredited by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) under the UK qualifications framework.
iTEC is an official awarding body approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (old body: QCA) (new body: Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency - QCDA) and the Department for Education and Employment (DFEE). It is a recognized awarding body regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) (Registration No.: RN5149). Therefore, our iTEC courses are regulated and hold qualifications under the (old system - Qualifications and Credit Framework - QCF) / (current system - Regulated Qualifications Framework - RQF) and (European Qualifications Framework - EQF).
iTEC has ensured that each qualification reflects workplace best practice in its syllabus, that each course is linked to relevant work roles, and that the syllabus reflects the level of knowledge and skill required by practicing therapists.
iTEC diploma qualifications are highly valued by potential employers, who know that an iTEC qualification signifies excellent theoretical knowledge and practical competence, as well as a rigorous and independent examination process.
Courses follow the latest iTEC QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework) syllabus introduced by the UK government in September 2009 and revised in September 2012.
This means that when the government establishes a National Mandatory State Regulator for Complementary Medicine, your qualification will be automatically recognized. Furthermore, your qualification will be recognized for work within the UK National Health Service, and your course credits can count towards university degree programs.
Successful completion of iTEC courses enables you to apply to join the current voluntary regulatory body established by the Department of Health - the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).
CNHC Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council - iTEC Course List Statement - Click and Download
ITEC International Qualifications
iTEC has over 1850 registered colleges (iTEC + VTCT) approved through close partnerships worldwide, with offices and representatives in London, Ireland, the USA, South Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. iTEC provides centres and learners with high-quality regulated qualifications for employability, professional subjects, and skills enhancement. The iTEC portfolio includes qualifications in beauty and spa, complementary therapies, sports fitness, hairdressing and beauty therapy, and customer service sectors.
High-Quality and Respected Industry Qualifications
iTEC provides internationally leading qualifications, specializing in beauty and spa therapies, beauty, complementary therapies, sports fitness training, and customer service, in 40 countries (including: UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China Hong Kong, Europe, etc.).
iTEC (VTCT) courses enhance career opportunities for local learners or those seeking to work in the beauty industry overseas.
iTEC International Therapy Examination Council Qualification Training History - 1989 iTEC Historical Certificate

As a leading awarding body, iTEC and VTCT are committed to providing the highest standards for our centres and learners.
To this end, we invest in enhancing the security of certificates issued by iTEC and VTCT. Furthermore, this year iTEC and VTCT underwent a rebranding, and we are pleased to announce that iTEC and VTCT certificates have been redesigned with our new logo and enhanced security features.
Features of the new certificates include:
- High-Quality Security Paper: Makes forgery and alteration extremely difficult.
- Personalized UV Text: On each certificate, 'iTEC' and 'VTCT' are printed into the background design in invisible UV ink.
- Security Hologram: Our certificates provide the best visible deterrent against copy fraud.
- Micro-text: The words 'iTEC' and 'VTCT' have been reduced to a scale requiring magnification to read. To the naked eye, the text appears as a solid line.
We are committed to ensuring all rebranding reflects our values as an organization, and we believe our learners can receive high-quality and secure certificates.

iTEC International Therapy Examination Council Certificate Sample
Ofqual = Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (UK)
RQF = Regulated Qualifications Framework (UK)
EQF = European Qualifications Framework
VTCT = Vocational Training Charitable Trust (UK)