Occupational Qualification · M2
Discretionary Grant · UpcomingMake-up Artist
- NQF Level
- NQF Level 1
- Credits
- 135
- Duration
- —
- SAQA ID
- 124489
Official QCTO Registry Profile
Source: SAQA / QCTO registry- SAQA ID
- 124489
- Min Credits
- 135
- Registered
- 2025-06-03
- Re-registration
- 2030-06-03
- Field
- Field 11 - Services
- Sub-field
- Personal Care
Sample Asset Preview





Overview & Scope
Programme Profile
- Target Designation
- Certified Make-up Artist Practitioner
- Competency Focus
- Master specialised practical applications, safety criteria, and regulatory mandates required of a qualified Make-up Artist.
- Academic Weight
- Full national recognition at NQF Level 1 yielding 135 credits upon successful PoE verification.
- Work Opportunities
- Deployment across As a qualified make-up artist, you can find employment opportunities in Various sectors (depending on specialisation). Your skills will be in demand across both public and private sectors, and you may also choose to work as an independent contractor or start your own business in this field. operations under SERVICES SETA scope.
- Audit Objective
- Bridges operational skills deficits under the governing SERVICES SETA quality matrix.
- Value Proposition
- Measurable, legally compliant skills that optimise productivity, satisfy Workplace Skills Plans (WSP), and unlock B-BBEE scorecard weight.
Introduction▾
Designed as a National Occupational Certificate at NQF Level 1 worth 0 credits, the Make-up Artist equips you with both theoretical understanding and hands-on capabilities. You will learn to perform complex tasks, solve real-world problems, and adapt to the demands of a dynamic work environment. This qualification is your stepping stone to becoming a confident, capable professional.
Purpose▾
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Make-Up Artist. A Make-up Artist applies different types of make-up which include day, evening and special occasions make-up, media, theatre, and film make-up, fashion and photographic make-up, face and body art, and camouflage make-up. A Make-up Artist also promotes make-up products and services to clients and can set-up a make-up business. A qualified learner will be able to: • Consult client to ascertain information and prepare for make-up application. • Apply a variety of make-up types for clients in different contexts. • Promote make-up products and services to clients. • Implement business skills in the make-up artist sector. Typical character attributes include proficiency, efficiency, and effectiveness in applying different types of make-up in various context while ensuring health and safety of the client. The Make-up Artist must be a person of integrity and high ethical standards as they obtain or have access to confidential information about their client's health.
Entry Requirements▾
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme. Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification/part qualification/skills programme. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner is able to display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors. For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved. For a Skills Programme, the accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP) must ensure all modular competency requirements are met prior to the FISA and keep record of such evidence. Upon successful completion of the EISA/FISA, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the qualification, part-qualification or skills programme. Quality partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications and part-qualification are approved by the QCTO. Entry Requirements: An NQF Level 3 qualification.
SAQA Rationale▾
South Africa, which has a beauty market worth over R27 billion (2017), is a nation of diverse cultures and sub-cultures. This industry is undergoing its own metamorphosis, propelled by factors that include local beauty brands, an economically active millennial generation, and the impact of digital technology and connectivity, with growing the influence of blogging and social-media Influencers. Young people are becoming increasingly conscious of the role of make-up in the beauty industry. The ever-expanding beauty sector has significantly increased the need for make-up artists who are professionals that possess not only the requisite make-up skills but in-depth knowledge of make-up tools, cosmetic products and other related materials that assist them in creating unique looks tailored for diverse clientele. In addition, the fact that make-up artists are needed in so many different contexts - beauty salons, fashion and modelling studios, photo shoots, theatres, television and news studios, film sets, weddings and special occasions - emphasises the need for a qualification or training that comprehensively covers all the relevant make-up techniques, knowledge and health and safety aspects pertaining to make-up application. There is currently one higher education institution that offers an NQF Level 5 make-up qualification. Stadio (Pty) Ltd offers the Higher Certificate in Film and TV Make-up Design. While there are commonalities between the Stadio qualification and the Make-up Artist qualification, there are also significant differences. There is a part-qualification called Occupational Certificate: Make-up Consultant; it carries 47 credits and focuses only on Day, Evening, and Bridal Make-up. This qualification covers all the make-up techniques and includes an entrepreneurial aspect which will enable the make-up artist to launch their own business which will benefit the society. In the light of the high unemployment rate in the country this qualification has the potential of creating jobs and alleviating poverty, thus benefiting the economy of the country. The qualification will enable make-up artists to expand the local footprint of the occupation and enable them as individuals to compete and seek employment locally and internationally. Central to this qualification is the infusion of a culture of professionalism and service excellence that are key to the success of a make-up artist. Another significant dynamic in this industry is that there are many individuals who operate as make-up artists but who have neither any formal training nor any knowledge about the health and safety risks that accompany the use of certain make-up products. They often cause harm to their clients. This qualification will ensure the health and safety of clients seeking make-up services, Achieving this qualification will provide several benefits to the learner, including: • The ability to either set-up a small make-up business or obtain employment as a Make-up Artist in a make-up salon. This leads to increased employability. • In-depth knowledge (theory) and skills relevant to make-up artistry. • The ability to be creative and innovative in the make-up sector and to thereby distinguish themselves. In other words, the possibility of increased recognition as a make-up expert. Typical learners would be school leavers, unemployed and employed persons and those practising as make-up artists without any prior formal training. Learners working towards this qualification will find that the acquisition of competencies embedded in the modules will value to their job performance. As indicated above, the industry already makes an economic impact and it is foreseen that the local market will continue to increasingly enjoy the services of qualified make-up artists. This qualification was developed with a keen focus on aligning it with the standards set forth by the relevant Professional Body. It also allows for voluntary registration once candidates fulfil the necessary competency requirements. List typical occupation in which the qualifying learner will operate is Make-up Products Retailer. Collaboration with relevant stakeholders: • TVET Colleges in the Beauty and Cosmetology industry. • Private Training Providers in the Beauty and Cosmetology industry. • Practising Beauty Therapists. In the development of this qualification the following stakeholders were consulted: • Employers Organisations for the Beauty and Cosmetology industry. • TVET Colleges in the Beauty and Cosmetology industry. • Private Training Providers in the Beauty and Cosmetology industry. • Practising Make-Up Artist. • National Bargaining Council for the Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare Industry.
Learning Assumed to be in Place & RPL▾
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme. Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification/part qualification/skills programme. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner is able to display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors. For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved. For a Skills Programme, the accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP) must ensure all modular competency requirements are met prior to the FISA and keep record of such evidence. Upon successful completion of the EISA/FISA, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the qualification, part-qualification or skills programme. Quality partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications and part-qualification are approved by the QCTO. Entry Requirements: An NQF Level 3 qualification.
Exit Level Outcomes▾
- Consult client to ascertain information and prepare for make-up application.
- Apply a variety of make-up types for clients in different contexts.
- Promote make-up products and services to clients.
- Implement business skills in the make-up artist sector.
Learning Material Included
- Learner Guide (Theory and Knowledge Modules)
- Facilitator Guide
- Workplace Logbook
- Formative and Summative Assessment
- Assessor Guide & Marking Memorandum
- SETA / QCTO Alignment Matrix
- Administrative & Onboarding Pack
- Implementation Plan
Qualification 124489 · Curriculum Architecture
National Occupational Certificate: Make-up Artist · NQF Level 1 (135 Credits)
Three Curriculum Pillars
Knowledge Modules
Classroom & E-Learning
- Facilitated lectures & self-study
- Written question banks
- Formative comprehension checks
Practical Skill Modules
Simulated Line Tasks
- Simulated line tasks
- Observation rubrics
- Structured task sheets
Work Experience Modules
On-the-Job Production
- On-the-job rotation
- Mentor logbooks
- Workplace sign-offs
Evidence & Audit Pipeline
Learner Portfolio of Evidence (PoE)Owner · Candidate▾
Admin & Registration
ID, learner contract, induction pack, POPIA consent.
Knowledge Evidence
Written assessments & question banks — KM-01 to KM-07.
Practical Evidence
Task sheets, observation rubrics, assessor photos.
Workplace Evidence
Logbooks, mentor sign-offs, supervisor letters.
Assessor Master FileOwner · Registered Assessor▾
Assessment Reports
Judgements, learner feedback, remediation agreements, appeals log.
Internal Moderation & Quality FileOwner · Moderator / SDP▾
Moderation Evidence
10% sampling matrix, HACCP/LOTO compliance sheets, SDP sign-off.
Final Accreditation Gateway
Issued by the accredited Skills Development Provider once internal moderation is signed off.
Provider submits declaration + PoE to the Assessment Quality Partner (AQP).
QCTO awards the SAQA-registered certificate on successful EISA outcome.
Audit & Compliance
Evidence & Audit Pipeline
From portfolio assembly to external sign-off — the exact route your evidence travels.
- Step 1
PoE Assembly
Learner evidence, formative records and logbook entries filed against the alignment matrix.
- Step 2
Internal Assessment
Registered assessor judges each KM/PM/WM outcome using the supplied instruments.
- Step 3
Internal Moderation
Sampling and verification of assessor decisions, with remediation loop before submission.
- Step 4
External Moderation
SETA/QCTO desktop audit and certification upload against registered credits.
Broken Standard vs i2Graduates Standard
The measurable delta between improvised material and an audit-ready suite.
Broken Standard
i2Graduates Standard
Curriculum Mapping
Photocopied guides with mismatched outcomes
3 KM + 3 PM + 2 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 1
Assessment Bank
Missing formative and summative assessments
Pre-validated assessment bank per module
Alignment Evidence
No alignment matrix — audit fails
SERVICES SETA alignment matrix included
Facilitation
Facilitators improvise Make-up Artist delivery
Facilitator scripts + learner activities per credit
Portfolio of Evidence
PoE gaps flagged in moderation
PoE templates that survive external moderation
Pricing & Delivery Tiers
Base licence from R35 000
Digital Master Suite
Editable master files, licensed to your SDP
- Learner Guide, Facilitator Guide & Assessment Suite
- Workplace logbook + alignment matrix (editable)
- Instant digital delivery under institutional licence
- Free minor corrections for 12 months
Turnkey Print & Bound Package
Printed, bound and couriered per learner
- Everything in the Digital Master Suite
- Full-colour print, wire-bound learner packs
- Per-learner PoE folders and dividers
- Nationwide courier with tracked delivery
Full Enterprise Accreditation Bundle
Assets plus accreditation support end-to-end
- Everything in the Print & Bound Package
- Bespoke QMS build mapped to your scope
- Moderation dry-run + written remediation report
- Brand & metadata integration across the suite
Complementary Services
Optional add-ons that harden your accreditation scope before an external audit.
Bespoke QMS Build
We author your Quality Management System — policies, procedures, records, matrices — mapped to your accreditation scope. From R18,500.
Request QuoteModeration Consultation
External moderation dry-run on your PoE + delivery pack. Written report with fixes before your real audit. From R4,900.
Book Moderation SessionThe i2Graduates Quality Guarantee
Every page of this bundle is checked for sequence and structural accuracy — no missing pages, no shortcuts. You get pre-validated assessment instruments ready to survive rigorous compliance moderation, wrapped in a curriculum your facilitators will enjoy teaching.
