Course Options
No course offerings available at the moment.
Overview
Journalists must have the essential skills of writing and research, but they are now expected to also record sound, shoot video and edit on digital systems. Increasingly, they are expected to produce their own web content. The skills you'll acquire on the course will enable you to position yourself for the world of work, or university.
You will have the opportunity to specialise in the area of journalism you are most interested in.
This course is placed on the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Minimum entry requirements
- HNC Practical Journalism OR
- First-year of HND Practical Journalism.
Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum SQA ESOL National 5 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher or equivalent for HNC/D courses.
Additional selection requirements
You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject. At your interview you'll:
- Write a 200-word article.
- Use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation in a 300-word article.
- Discuss the importance of journalism.
What you study
As a second year entrant, you will bring with you the units from first year and will study the following:
- Feature Writing Advanced.
- Public Affairs Advanced.
- Scots Law Advanced.
- Sub-editing and shorthand at an advanced level.
- Added to these will be video skills, online reporting, social and ethical issues, and work experience.
- Throughout the course you’ll have access to radio and television studios.
After the course
You can apply for jobs in the industry.
Continuing Study
After you complete your HND you may progress to:
- Second, or the third year of BA (Hons) Journalism or Sports Journalism at UWS.
- Second, or the third year of BA (Hons) Journalism at Edinburgh Napier University.
Students also continue on to courses at the University of Stirling and Glasgow Caledonian University.
How the course is taught
The second year of Journalism is more hands-on and will look to build on the skills acquired from first-year. The application of these skills will be evident in Online Reporting, Video Journalism, Feature Writing Advanced and Public Affairs Advanced.
The course is taught through a mixture of online and in-college teaching, with Zoom the primary platform for online learning. This is delivered through a variety of approaches, from tutor delivery to breakout rooms and one to one delivery, incorporating a variety of presentations, quizzes and discussions.