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Journalism (Level 4 / 5 Higher National Certificate / Diploma)

Pearson BTEC
Media, Multimedia & Journalism

Course Overview

Journalism is a creative, challenging and hugely exciting subject area. The Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Journalism allows students to go behind the scenes of their areas of interest. This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for success in future employment, or for progression to an undergraduate degree or the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism course with NWRC. The course covers all the skills necessary for modern multi-platform and multimedia journalism including: TV, radio, photographic, print and online journalism. Teaching is centred at NWRC’s state of the art media and journalism facility at the Strand Road campus. In Year 1, students will complete the HNC in Journalism before progressing to the HND in Year 2. Students are expected to contribute to NWRC’s online news outlet, iNews as well as college radio output, 3CR.Areas to be studied include but are not confined to:New TechnologiesJournalism and SocietyRoles in JournalismLaw and EthicsJournalism PracticeJournalism TechniquesProfessional PracticePrint/Online JournalismRadio JournalismTelevision JournalismSocial MediaMedia and CultureProject Management
  • Start Date
    8 Sept 2025
  • Study Mode
    Full-Time
  • Duration
    1 Year (HNC) 2 Year (HND)
  • Campus
    Strand Road

Available Sessions

  • Course
    Campus
    Type
    Start Date
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  • Course: Pearson BTEC Level 4 / 5 Higher National Certificate / Diploma Journalism
    Campus: Strand Road
    Type: Full Time
    Start Date: 08/09/2025
    Fees:
     £2,500 per annum (subject to change)
    Apply now

Course Offering

  • Site location Strand Road

Course Modules

  • Unit A1: Concept and Development
  • Unit A2: Creative Project
  • Unit B1: Personal Professional Development
  • Unit B2: Professional Project
Fees & Finance Information
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Entry Requirements

UK Requirements

32 UCAS Points + GCSE (Grade C or above) in English. Interview also required

ROI Requirements

32 UCAS Points + OLC (Grade O5 or above) in English. Interview also required

Additional Requirements Prior to Entry

Interview Required

Work Placement

Students undertake a work based learning module in the second year of the course.

What's Next?

Further Study

On completion of the HND Journalism qualification, students can progress to further Higher Education study, including possible entry to Year 2 undergraduate journalism degree courses at some universities. Students may also progress, depending on HND achievement, to the National Council for the Training of Journalists’ Diploma in Journalism course which is delivered through North West Regional College.

Career Prospects

BTEC Higher National qualifications are very well received by the journalism industry. They are designed to address an increasing need for high quality professional and technical education pathways at Levels 4 and 5, providing students with a clear line of sight to employment or progression to further higher education study.

Enquiry

Meet our students

  • Image of Morgan Nutt (Apprenticeship NI Wall & Floor Tiling)
    When I completed my GCSEs I knew that I wanted to go to College to learn a trade. During my course I had the opportunity to compete at the UK WorldSkills finals in England. Now I'm one of the UK's top tilers!
    Morgan Nutt (Apprenticeship NI Wall & Floor Tiling)
  • Image of Roberta Deehan (HLA in Hospitality and Tourism Management)
    It made sense for me to study in an area where I could work alongside my studies. There is a huge benefit to the HLA because you can study locally, there’s no course fees and you learn about the industry while you’re working. There are so many employment opportunities!
    Roberta Deehan (HLA in Hospitality and Tourism Management)

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