- Location
- Cardonald Campus
- SCQF Level
- 8
- Start Date
- 26 Aug 2024
- Qualification Type
- HND
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 2 Years (August to June)
Applications open 15th January 2025
HND Media and Communications course is a stimulating, enjoyable and contemporary course which investigates all the latest developments in the world of media. Throughout your studies you will learn about film, television, radio, journalism, and broadcasting, including finding out how advertising agencies work, learning how to organise and manage events, and you'll become one of the few people who really know what public relations really means. The course is taught using a mix of theory and practical skills and you will benefit from learning in purpose built filming, editing and radio studios.
What will I learn?
The course teaches you how to analyse film, introduces you to the skills needed for working in TV and radio, trains you to research, create and present in a radio studio and gives you the opportunity to manage and take responsibility for a live media and communications project such as the Scottish Student Journalism Awards.
Course contents:
- Advertising
- Public relations
- Digital video production and editing
- Writing for the media
- TV planning and production
- Podcasting
- Photography
- Journalism
- Oral presentation skills
- Film theory
- Editing and proofreading
- Radio production and presenting
- Media law
- Campaigns for real clients
- Research skills
- Social Media
- Graded Unit projects.
You will grow in confidence, maturity and self-belief as you immerse yourself in individual and group projects. Working in the media can be fun but hard work, this course prepares you for anything you might experience in a real media setting.
Hear from alumni Rhona who is now working at BBC Scotland.
Hear from current student Molly Sheppard.
Hear from current student Erin.
Entry requirements (minimum)
- One Higher, preferably English or Media Studies at C or above
- NQ Media and Journalism - Level 5
- Portfolio of written work may be requested at interview
- An interview is part of the selection process
- Relevant experience may also be considered
- For those holding a relevant HNC, it may be possible to access Year 2 of the HND. Please contact the Faculty directly.
- Foundation Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media
- If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Entry requirement 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
We work closely with employers in the Glasgow area to provide real-life experience and hands-on projects for you to work on. You could be putting together a public relations campaign for a local restaurant one day, creating a raising awareness event for a national charity the next and working on the production team for a short film project in between. You will benefit from talks and visits from industry professionals in journalism, television, advertising, events, marketing and film.
Recently we have been working closely with the Big Issue, BBC, Herald and Times Group, The Daily Record, The Sun, various charities (eg: CHAS, Teenage Cancer Trust, Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis Centre, Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice), Fair Trade Forum Scotland, Frame PR, and many others.
Articulation Routes
Glasgow Caledonian University – BA/BA (Hons) Media and Communication 3rd Year
University of Stirling – BA/BA (Hons) Film and Media 3rd Year
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- BA/BA (Hons) Film and Media 3rd Year
- BA/ BA (Hons) Media and Communications 3rd Year
- BA/BA (Hons) Public Relations and Marketing Communications 3rd Year
Edinburgh Napier University – BA/BA (Hons) PR and Media 3rd Year
Jobs and further study
Many of our HND Media and Communications students have progressed to the following courses:
- Media and Communication at Glasgow Caledonian University
- Media courses at University of Stirling
- BA Broadcast Productions at University of the West of Scotland
- Film-making and Screen-writing at University of the West of Scotland
- Communication, Advertising and PR at Edinburgh Napier University
- Media at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- Film and Media at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- PR and Media at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- PR and Media at Napier University, Edinburgh
- Film and TV at University of Glasgow
Or you can move directly into employment in the communication and media industry.
Take a look at the course progression map for media and journalism.
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 will 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 - If you are invited to interview, please bring your SQA certificates and a Media Brief (essay and project brief)
- 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.
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 will be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date.
