Hair and Media Make-Up Course is Right Move for Ash

Level 2 Traineeship in Hair and Media Make-Up trainee Ash Devlin (17) from Dunmurry, is taking the first step towards her dream career while studying at SERC. 

After completing her GCSEs, Ash realised school was not for her. Some of her friends who had completed courses at SERC recommended the college to her. She attended an Open Evening at the college’s Lisburn campus, where she chatted with tutors about courses she was interested in and decided that SERC was the right pathway for her.  

On her course, Ash comments, “We’ve been learning a lot about the basics of hair and media make-up, which includes how to make appointments with clients, managing consultations, hair colouring and creating make-up looks to suit clients. In class, we have demonstrations on how to do certain hair and make-up looks and effects, we then get to try recreating them ourselves. We invite clients in when we can for assessments or when they book in for services in the Lisburn campus salon, which makes for a great learning environment since we can practice our hair and make-up skills on real people. We have also had the opportunity to be part of a competition where we create a whole look from hair and make-up to costumes and props. All of this is really helping us prepare for jobs in the industry.” 

“The most enjoyable thing about my course is getting to show my creativity and individuality in my work.  Everyone in the course is different and unique in their own way which makes me feel like I can express myself without any judgement. A lot of people I have met around the campus including staff and students have been lovely. There is so much support at SERC, from inside the classroom through supportive tutors as well as through services that help you with learning and financial support.” 

“After I finish my course, I'm planning on moving over to England to continue my education, specifically in creating prosthetics for film and TV. I want to work on film and TV sets long-term to create prosthetic characters in my own unique way. It gives me the opportunity to travel all over the world too which I'd really like to do. This course is a great first step towards that,” 

Ash concludes, “I would recommend SERC. This course can be hard work if you don't put in the effort, and you must buy your own kits for the class work, but in the end it’s worth it if it’s what you want for your career. It’s a fun course for people who want to show how unique and creative they are, and the tutors I've met really want the best for their students and are there to support you if you need it.” 

Apply now for courses commencing September 2025.  Come along to our full-time open evening from 4.00pm – 7.00pm on Thursday 6 March at our Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses.