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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 2026
  • Study Mode
    Full-Time
  • Duration
    1 Year (HNC) 2 Year (HND)
  • Campus
    Strand Road

Available Sessions

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    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: 08/09/2026 (P)
    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
  • Journalism Practices
  • Advanced Journalism Studies
  • Creative Media Industries
  • Individual Project
  • Collaborative Project
  • Digital Page Production
  • Professional Practice
  • Journalism and Society
  • Personal Professional Development
  • Investigative Journalism
  • Social Media
  • News and Editorial
  • Radio Management
  • Radio Production
Fees & Finance Information
Want to book your place?
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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 Abigail Smyth (Art & Design)
    My time studying Art & Design at Limavady campus allowed me to fully develop my creative and technical skills that I use every day running my own business, Amity Tattoo, in Ballymoney.
    Abigail Smyth (Art & Design)
  • Image of Daria Hrywniak (Hospitality & Tourism Management)
    I completed two 3-month work placements in Belgium and Fuerteventura with the Erasmus+ programme. I was so grateful for the opportunity as it allowed me to gain valuable industry knowledge and experience. I’ve currently been offered a 6-month position in Turkey as a Holiday Rep with TUI.
    Daria Hrywniak (Hospitality & Tourism Management)

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