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Key details

Course area
Media, Digital and Photography
Student types
16 - 18 coursesCourses for 19+ students
Course type
Full-time Further Education course
Course level
Level 3
Start date
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Location
City Hub 111 Canal Street, Nottingham, NG1 7HB
Course code
Parent course code:C027006 Child course code: Q027011
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Course introduction

This course is perfect if you have a passion for writing or blogging about the things you love, and an interest in social media, digital layout, interview techniques, video and photography. 

You’ll learn skills including writing copy, online media, photography, design and video journalism. You’ll be introduced to the 24-hour news culture, the need to be first at the scene, immersed in the story and, most importantly, bringing the news to life. Along with the transferable skills you’ll develop, the course will help focus your career and future study aspirations.

You can expect a fast-paced, creative and rewarding course delivered in our excellent facilities, including a TV studio. You’ll also get to complete various assessments throughout your study, with live briefs and an end of year show to give you a fantastic opportunity to get noticed. You will complete 90 credits in Year 1 and gain a standalone qualification. On successful completion of this, you will progress into Year 2 to gain the full Extended Diploma.

A student behind a video camera

You will be encouraged to participate in a 30-hour work placement while you are studying.

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Course information

2 years

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Journalism

You’ll need 5 GCSEs at grades 9–4 (A*–C), including English Language and maths – both of these must be grades 9–4 (A*–C) or Functional Skills Level 2 in English and maths, or a relevant Level 2 vocational qualification with English and maths GCSE grades 9–4 (A*–C).

Assessment is coursework-based. You will be asked to undertake a number of exciting and creative projects including writing for web, documentary filmmaking, creating podcasts, producing shows in our TV and radio studios, and documenting the world around you through photography.

Choose to follow with further study at degree level in journalism or media, such as our foundation degree in TV & Film Production, and top-up degree in Digital Media Design. Career opportunities include: photo journalist, writer, video producer, music editor, magazine editor, blogger/citizen journalist.

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are aged 19 or over you may still be eligible for funding. Check out our Financial Help pages to find out more!

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Media Lecturer Rob Hitchen talks about the newly built Digital Media Centre based at the City Hub

Careers related to this course

Newspaper and Periodical Broadcast Journalists and Reporters

Potential Earnings

£53,131.01

Average Earnings

£29,212.56

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Media, Publishing and Information Services

People in these occupations produce, publish, and release media and provide library, archive, curation, and information services.

Skills

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

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