Course Details
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HND Practical Journalism

SCQF Level 8

Accredited by the National Council for Training in Journalism, the HND Practical Journalism is designed to equip you with the essential skills required to develop your career and become a professional journalist. The qualification aims to meet the needs of employers and to provide you with the basic knowledge and skills for entry level journalism.

The fundamental skills of high quality journalism in converged newsrooms are at the heart of the HND and the course is designed to equip you with the skills you need for multi-platform journalism whether it be in the newspapers, magazines, online, television or radio.

Working closely with the local and national news organisations, we have constantly developed our HND to produce journalists capable of working in the modern, multi-platform newsroom. Our students are equally at home working in print, video or online and we have always focused on a practical, hands-on approach, using the latest technology, designed to prepare you for the real world of work.

What You Study

  • News/Feature Writing
  • Research/Interview Skills
  • Law for Journalists
  • Public/Current Affairs
  • Workplace Experience
  • Shorthand
  • Sub Editing
  • Radio Journalism
  • Television Journalism
  • Online Reporting

Duration and Attendance

  • HND – Two Years Full-time
  • Part-time study also available

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements are:

  • 2 Highers (one of which must be English)
  • In addition to this the selection process will also include the NCTJ entrance exam and an interview with an academic member of staff and a newspaper editor

Students attending on a day-release basis should be in full-time employment as a journalist.

Further Study

2nd/3rd Year BA Journalism, Napier University, Edinburgh

Career Opportunities

  • News Correspondent (Radio/Regional TV)
  • Trainee Journalist
  • Self Employment/Freelance Work

This course is currently offered on the date(s) and venue(s) listed below.

Method of Study Year of course Starts Ends Based at Apply
Part Time Day 05 Sep 2011 15 Jun 2012 Kirkcaldy (St Brycedale Campus) course full
Part Time Day 03 Sep 2012 14 Jun 2013 Kirkcaldy (St Brycedale Campus) apply online
Full Time 1st Year 03 Sep 2012 14 Jun 2013 Kirkcaldy (St Brycedale Campus) apply online
Full Time 2nd Year 03 Sep 2012 14 Jun 2013 Kirkcaldy (St Brycedale Campus) apply online

While we make every attempt to ensure the accuracy of course information, this is subject to change, as part of our continuous improvement process.

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St Brycedale Avenue. Kirkcaldy, KY1 1EX
Adam Smith College, Fife is a registered Scottish charity (No. SCO21196)
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