The incredible city of Toronto could be the backdrop for launching your career as a makeup artist. CMU, the city’s leading makeup college, has a stunning downtown campus. It’s equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, a special makeup effects laboratory, and an on-site photography studio.
Award-winning instructors teach international makeup artist courses in intimate classrooms, ensuring every student receives the instruction needed to thrive. Our mission is to unlock your creative potential, so you can go on to have a creatively fulfilling and successful career in makeup artistry.
International Makeup Artist Courses From CMU
Global Makeup Artist Diploma
The Global Makeup Artist Diploma is CMU’s most comprehensive program. Over the course of 23 weeks, students receive hands-on training in makeup application and hairstyling for the film, television, theatrical, special effects, and fashion industries. You receive extensive instruction from award-winning makeup artists at our beautiful Toronto campus.
This intensive diploma program covers studio hairstyling, photographic makeup, theatrical makeup, and special effects for film and television. You’ll also learn important details, such as the impact of theatrical lighting, the stages of television production, and how to work within a production team.
Program Length: 23 weeks (full-time)
Course Breakdown:
- Photographic and Studio Hairstyling (4 weeks)
- Fashion Photographic Makeup (7 weeks)
- Theatrical Makeup (4 weeks)
- Film, Television, and Special Effects Makeup (8 weeks)
Total Fashion Makeup Artist Diploma
Learn the foundations of makeup and hair design and execution at CMU. Our intensive Total Fashion Makeup Artist Diploma provides the skills you need to launch your career as a fashion makeup artist.
During the program’s three-month duration, you learn foundational skills and advanced techniques. First, you learn facial features, basic makeup and hairstyles, products, and colour theory.
We teach you how to analyze skin and create looks based on client briefs. You also master breakthrough and innovative techniques needed for fashion, editorial, and bridal makeup looks.
Program Length: 12 weeks (full-time)
Course Breakdown:
- Photographic and Studio Hairstyling (4 weeks)
- Fashion Photographic Makeup (7 weeks)
- Career Planning (1 week)
Digital Effects Makeup Artist Diploma
Our Digital Effects Makeup Artist Diploma prepares graduates to work in digital sculpting for TV and film, post-production editing, SFX and CGI design, and character design. This four-month intensive program lays the foundation for a successful career as a digital effects makeup artist.
The program begins by teaching you the foundational skills needed to design believable characters and creatures. You learn drawing fundamentals, such as how to draw different elements of the human body with proper anatomy and musculature. Additionally, figurative sculpting teaches you the skills needed to create original creature concepts.
It also covers how to use vital tools like Adobe Photoshop and ZBrush, as well as practical design techniques like moulding, casting, painting, and flocking.
Program Length: 17 weeks (full-time)
Course Breakdown:
- Life Drawing (1 week)
- Figurative Sculpting (1 week)
- Practical Creature Design (6 weeks)
- Photoshop (2 weeks)
- Digital Character Design: ZBrush Sculpting (6 weeks)
- Career Planning and Digital Portfolio Creation (1 week)
Fashion Photographic Makeup Artist Certificate
This certificate course covers the essential tools, cosmetic knowledge, and specialized techniques required for professional fashion photography makeup application.
Students learn the fundamentals of colour theory and skin analysis for all ages, ethnicities, and occasions. With this schooling, graduates of CMU’s Fashion Photographic Makeup Artist Certificate course are prepared for successful careers as fashion makeup artists, influencers, brand ambassadors, or business owners.
Program Length: 7 weeks (full-time)
Course Breakdown:
- Fashion Photographic Makeup (7 weeks)
Creature Design Certificate
CMU’s Creature Design Certificate program focuses specifically on the skills needed to conceptualize, design, construct, and mould original characters. The tools and techniques covered in this course are crucial for working on practical effects for cinematic productions.
At CMU, you learn the fundamentals of creature design, including the terminology and skills needed to work in character design labs. You also build the technical skills to sculpt, mould, cast, and bring your characters to life.
Program Length: 6 weeks (full-time)
Course Breakdown:
- Practical Creature Design: Sculpting (6 weeks)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the tuition fees for international students?
Makeup courses for international students have tuition fees that are slightly higher due to the administrative functions required by the Ministry of Education when processing registrations and fees. Please see the applicable fees for each program, which are found on the respective program pages.
When should international students apply at CMU?
CMU has various start dates throughout the year, so there are no specific deadlines. Typically, we recommend submitting your applications 3 to 6 months before your desired start date. For international students, however, please apply as early as possible because there may be additional processing times.
What are the academic requirements?
You must have either an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or its equivalent) or be at least 18 years of age and have passed an SLE (Scholastic Level Exam).
Does CMU offer financial assistance?
As Canadian student loans are not available for international students, please contact your government’s Ministry of Education to learn more about student loans in your country. Alternatively, you can look into a private bank loan or student line of credit from a major Canadian financial institution.
Do I need a study permit?
Currently, international students ONLY require a visitor’s visa or eTa to study at CMU. Study permits are NOT required for the following programs: Global Makeup Artist Diploma, Total Fashion Makeup Artist Diploma, Digital Effects Makeup Artist Diploma, Fashion Photographic Makeup Artist Certificate, or the Creature Design Certificate.
Will I be eligible for a post-graduate work permit?
Yes. Graduates are eligible for a post-graduate work permit through our Pathways Partnership with Yorkville University. Your CMU College diploma can be applied towards a 3-year Bachelor of Creative Arts degree at Yorkville University.
Applying for International Makeup Artist Courses in Toronto
Are you ready to start your education and become a trained makeup artist? Here’s how to apply for one of CMU’s makeup courses for international students.
- Complete and submit our online application form
- Pay the $250 CAD application processing fee*
- Complete your online Scholastic Equivalency test**
* The $250 application processing fee is deducted from tuition and is not an additional fee.
** Wonderlic SLE test will be sent directly to you upon receipt of the application and application processing fee.
Makeup Courses for International Students at CMU
CMU College of Makeup Art & Design is Toronto’s top college for professional and special effects makeup. With our award-winning instructors and state-of-the-art facilities, we set the international standard for makeup artistry education.
Attending one of CMU’s international makeup artist courses is the first step to unlocking your creative potential and jumpstarting your career as a makeup artist.
To learn more about our international student programs, call CMU at 416-968-6739 or contact us here.
