- Location
- Cardonald Campus
- SCQF Level
- 8
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- HND
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 2 years (August to June)
This course gives you an impressive skill set that will help you break into the film, TV or digital creative industries. You’ll learn about content development, production, the technical and post production stages of programme making, as well as how to work collaboratively with others. Across the academic year, you’ll build your skills through a variety of exciting ‘live’ projects, including short form documentaries, films and music videos for academic purposes. Our strong industry links also mean you could get the chance to take part in site visits or work placements in professional production facilities.
What will I learn?
The HND Digital Film and Television (Next Generation) course offers hands-on experience with the latest technologies and industry-standard practices in video production, preparing you for a dynamic career in this ever-evolving field:
Year 1:
You'll develop hands-on skills in production-led video projects, focused on single camera, location-based shooting. You'll be guided through each stage of the creative process, content creation, pre-production, production and post-production, enabling you to craft an impressive digital video portfolio to showcase your skills.
Along the way you'll build essential technical and workflow expertise, including camera operation, sound and lighting and editing skills which will ensure you're well-equipped for the industry.
Technical specifications: You'll gain hands-on experience shooting with our line of Sony FX6 cameras, complemented by additional training in the operation of broadcast ENG-style cameras and video DSLRs. Post-production skills are developed using Avid Media Composer, with full access to the Adobe Creative Suite for further creative flexibility. Equipment is available for both assessable coursework and personal projects undertaken outside of college, ensuring you can refine your skills across a variety of projects.
Year 2:
In the second year of the course, you will specialise in the creation of short films, following industry-standard practices used in drama production. You’ll grow your portfolio by mastering the essentials of screenwriting, directing, and production management for drama. These creative areas are supported by advanced technical training in digital cinematography and editorial workflow.
To deepen your industry knowledge, you’ll participate in masterclasses delivered by working professionals, while creating a showreel and CV to showcase your practical skills. Through the HND, you’ll have opportunities to pursue industry work placements and develop essential workplace skills, such as CV writing and professional development. The course culminates in a final showcase, where you’ll present your portfolio of work and establish your digital brand.
Technical specifications: You'll gain hands-on experience with a range of cine-style cameras, including the Sony FX6, FS7, and Blackmagic URSA. The course is designed to develop fundamental skills in digital cinematography and workflow, such as using prime and zoom cinema lenses, advanced lighting techniques for drama, slating and data wrangling, and operation of grip equipment with our dolly, jib, and sliders. In post-production, you’ll refine your skills as an assistant editor, focusing on professional workflows.
Equipment is available for both assessable coursework and personal projects undertaken outside of college, allowing you to enhance your craft skills across a variety of projects and build your portfolio of digital shorts.
Please note that progression through to year 2 is not guaranteed, and your year 1 grade and your overall aptitude, attitude, and attendance will be taken into consideration.
Through the HND you'll benefit from the opportunity to find industry work placements, CV writing, and workplace development. You'll also be involved in a final showcase incorporating your portfolio of work.
You can view a sample of our student work, including our Royal Television Society winning entries, on the Digital Film and TV channel on Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/tvgcc
Entry requirements (minimum)
- NQ Introduction to Broadcasting and Film (Level 5); OR
- NQ Media Studies and Journalism (Level 5); OR
- At least one Higher (or equivalent), English is preferred
- Applications are welcome from those without formal entry qualifications but who can demonstrate an interest in the creative industries through experience, with an emphasis on television and video production. Relevant work experience, programme ideas or similar and boundless enthusiasm, creativity and team-working skills are essential.
Entry requirements equivalency table
If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Employer and industry links
The College has excellent industry links and there are a number of opportunities which arise each year. Here are some of the most recent:
- This year Glasgow-based post production house, Serious Facilities, offered site visits to six of our HNC and HND Digital Film and TV students. This was followed up with three further work placements and an offer of full-time employment for one of our HND year 2 students.
- Freelance television and film industry visits often lead to further opportunities for our students. Stuart Cadenhead (1st Assistant Director) and Barry Laird, (Assistant Director and Locations) recently spoke with HND Digital Film and Television students about production management. This led to a week-long work placement for one of our students on the television period drama Melrose (starring Benedict Cumberbatch) and further opportunities working with the Comedy Unit and other productions.
Jobs and further study
- The potential for advanced entry to various film and TV courses at universities in the UK and overseas (grade dependent).
- Employment in the TV or film industry - A number of graduates from this course have found work with BBC Scotland, STV, CineLab Film and Digital, MTP, Blazing Griffin, Savalas and many other independent companies.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
I've applied — what happens next?
When you apply
You'll receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).
Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you will either be:
- Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional)
- Invited to book an interview session
- Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
- We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.
If you are invited to interview, you will be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:
- Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
- Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
- Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days. Once you have accepted your offer, you'll be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date.