Activate Learning has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Launch Your Journalism Career with Our HNC Programme! Are you passionate about uncovering the truth and sharing compelling stories? Take the next step after your level 3 qualifications with our Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Journalism at Farnham College and City of Oxford College. Why Choose Our HNC in Journalism? · Comprehensive Curriculum: Develop essential skills in research, interviewing, reporting, and multimedia storytelling. · Practical Experience: Gain hands-on experience through real-world projects and collaborations, preparing you for the ever-evolving media industry. · Industry Connections: Benefit from our strong links with media outlets, offering opportunities for internships and networking. The Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Journalism offers students one general pathway to support progression to relevant occupational areas or degree-level study. This pathway allows students to complete a qualification without committing to a particular professional specialism, offering additional flexibility to students. Our Blended Learning delivery will see a third of the course delivered remotely. These sessions, delivered on Wednesdays, will be a mixture of live online delivery, and guided learning tasks from the tutors. The remainder of the course will be delivered face-to-face at the City of Oxford College or Farnham on Thursdays and Fridays. The course develops students’ underpinning knowledge of the subject and enables students to enter employment with the qualities necessary for job roles requiring personal responsibility. It provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, practical and transferable skills, and other attributes. On successful completion, students will have developed a sound understanding of the principles in their field of study and will have learned to apply them more widely. They will have learned to evaluate the appropriateness of different problem-solving approaches. They will be able to perform effectively in their chosen field and will have the qualities necessary for employment in situations that require the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making. EXCITING CAREER PATHS AWAIT · Broadcast Journalist: Deliver news and stories via television, radio, or online platforms. · Magazine Journalist: Create engaging content for consumer or trade publications. · Digital Content Manager: Oversee and produce compelling content for websites and social media. · Public Relations Specialist: Manage communications and media relations for organisations. · Copywriter: Craft persuasive and creative content for advertising and marketing.
This Higher Technical Qualification is approved against occupational standards decided by employers. Learn more about Higher Technical Qualifications.
Modules
Unit A1:1 - Explores history, theories and developments related to the areas of practice. This includes an examination of news and agenda setting. It will investigate how and why newspapers emerged; the rule about crime reporting and the role that the press has played from the nineteenth century to our current world of social media and fake news. Unit A1:2 - This unit will teach you the art of feature writing, including human-interest stories, narrative structure and investigative journalism. You will develop your ability to write for specific audiences, to edit your work in a professional manner and to produce high-quality, engaging prose. Students also learn to adapt traditional journalistic skills to digital platforms. Unit A1:3 - Engages with the practical problems of media production. You will learn about production processes, tools and software. You will work with Adobe Creative Cloud. You will develop understanding of production processes, proficiency in media production tools and software, ability to produce high-quality media content. Unit A1.4 - Will instruct you in professional standards and behaviours. You will learn about legal and ethical principles in journalism and test your ability to apply these principles to real-world scenarios, critical analysis of ethical dilemmas. Topics may include defamation, privacy laws, copyright, and regulatory bodies. Unit A1.5 - Explores the principles and practices of news gathering and reporting. Students learn how to research, interview, and write news stories across different media platforms. You will develop the ability to identify newsworthy topics, conduct effective research and interviews, write clear and accurate news reports.
Assessment method
· Practical media production projects, such as creating news packages, designing magazine layouts, or producing multimedia content. · Production tasks, such as writing headlines, editing video footage, or designing graphics. These tasks evaluate their proficiency in various aspects of media production. · Constructing a portfolio showcasing media production work, including samples of written articles, audiovisual content, and design layouts.
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Please contact us to discuss application if you have a Visa.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
Applicants will be expected to possess a full level three qualification, worth at least 96 UCAS points. This can be gained through either: Three C grades at A level MMM grades in a BTEC/UAL/equivalent National Extended Diploma Minimum of 15 credits at Merit on a full Access to HE Diploma Qualifications obtained outside of the UK will be looked at on an individual basis (all qualifications will be subject to ECCTIS checks) Applicants will also be required to have achieved at least a grade 4/C in GCSE English and maths. Personal Profile: A typical applicant might be expected to demonstrate at the commencement of his/her studies the following: ● a general interest in journalism and/or social issues, and in creative communication ● a strong interest in developing their career ● a willingness to work collaboratively with others ● good oral and written communication skills ● a willingness to build knowledge and explore multiple academic disciplines, such as sociology, criminology and English ● appropriate levels of numeracy and literacy
English language requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate that their level of English is acceptable by achieving a score in a recognised test such as the British Council IELTS; normally a minimum of 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in the reading and writing components. All applicants will be interviewed prior to a decision being made.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £6500 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £6500 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £6500 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £6500 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Please note: Tuition fees are published for the first year of entry only and may increase in subsequent years for new students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Office for Students. There are a variety of funding options available to help finance your studies. If you are a UK (Home) student, you don’t have to pay your tuition fees up front. The government provides loans to cover your full tuition fee. You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan to help cover living costs.
Alternatively, your fees may be paid by your employer, or we could arrange a payment schedule if you are paying your own fees.
Additional costs Students are advised that they will need access to a laptop or PC. We recommend that you budget £100 a year additional costs such as for stationary to undertake your studies. You can borrow textbooks and access journals from the recommended reading lists from our Learning Resource Centres either physically on campus or in the majority of cases online. If you choose to purchase textbooks, they may cost up to £60 each.
Provider information
City of Oxford College
Oxpens Rd
Oxford
OX1 1SA