HND Media and Communications
- Location
- Cardonald Campus
- SCQF Level
- 8
- Start Date
- 24 Aug 2026
- Qualification Type
- HND
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 2 Years (August to June)
This dynamic and industry-focused course prepared you for a wide range of roles across the media sector. You’ll learn about the latest developments in film, podcasting, television, radio, journalism, and broadcasting, while developing strong analytical, creative and professional skills.
You'll work both independently and as part of a team on creative projects, gaining a clear understanding of how media industries operate in practice. The course also introduces you to advertising, event management and public relations, giving you an informed understanding of how campaigns are planned, produced and delivered.
You'll gain practical experience in our purpose-built filming, editing and radio studios, building your technical confidence too.
What will I learn?
Throughout the course, you will develop the skills needed to analyse media texts, plan and produce content for television and radio, and research, create, and present material in a professional studio environment. You will also have the opportunity to manage and take responsibility for live media and communications projects, such as contributing to or supporting events like the Scottish Student Journalism Awards.
Course contents:
- Advertising
- Public relations
- Digital video production and editing
- Writing for the media
- Television planning and production
- Podcasting
- Photography
- Journalism
- Oral presentation skills
- Film theory
- Editing and proofreading
- Radio production and presenting
- Media law
- Research skills
- Social media
- Graded unit projects
- Campaigns for real clients.
By the end of the course, you will have grown in confidence, professionalism and self-belief through a combination of individual and group projects. While working in the media can be demanding, it is also highly rewarding and this course is designed to prepare you for the realities of a fast-paced, creative media environment.
Entry requirements (minimum)
- One Higher, preferably English or Media Studies at C or above ; OR
- 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.
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications (SCQF) Framework can help you to check if you're choosing the right level of study. Take a look at the SCQF Interactive Framework here.
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
Students have gone onto study journalism, film and media degree courses (listed below) on their way to successful careers in the creative industries.
- 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
Many of our former students progressed straight into industry and now work at major media outlets and production facilities like Newsquest, DC Thomson, The Daily Record, BBC, STV, Reach PLC, Blazing Griffin and Savalas.
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'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 - 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'll 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.
