Students left “extremely disappointed” by Fife College’s decision to curtail their journalism course have written to Higher Education Minister Shirley Anne-Somerville at the Scottish Parliament to seek her support.
Members of the HND Practical Journalism course at Fife College in Kirkcaldy held a meeting with college management on Monday after receiving letters a week past Saturday telling them that as of the end of this academic year, they will be able to graduate with an HNC but will not be able to continue on to their HND year.
Students demanded a meeting with management after expressing concern that they will be unable to qualify for their NCTJ qualification which is only offered during the second year of the course.
However, contacting The Courier after Monday’s meeting, student spokesman Alasdair Clark said the students were “extremely disappointed” with the outcome.
“We are deeply concerned that the college undertook so little engagement with key stakeholders to inform their decision, at the very least we had expected them to consult with industry about employment opportunity for students,” he said.
Fife College told The Courier it was “disappointed” that the HND Practical Journalism course is no longer viable.
However, this was down to low demand for the course – and students, it said, knew of the situation at the start of the academic year.
A Fife College spokesperson said: “Following a review of the academic portfolio earlier this year, the college concluded, regretfully, that it could no longer continue offering the HND due to low numbers.
“Only seven students are undertaking the HND in 2017/18 and we estimated that the numbers progressing on to the HND course in 2018/19 are likely to continue at this low level.
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“The decision also reflects our assessment of supply and demand and the current and future needs of employers and our regional economy.
“Students signing up for the HNC did so on the basis that they could not progress to HND at Fife College in 2018/19 and they have been advised that there are a number of progression routes available at other colleges for entry into the HND or universities which provide journalism and/or media and communications degrees.
“We have met with the students this week and will continue to meet with them to ensure they are fully supported as they progress their studies.
“We will continue to offer the HNC Journalism course at Fife College on the basis of current numbers.
“We will strive to increase these numbers if possible through marketing and working with schools and other stakeholders to promote what the college has to offer.
“The college is disappointed that the HND Practical Journalism course is no longer viable.
“We are keen to work with prospective employers and others with an interest in this field to explore how we might stimulate increased demand.
“If we can secure that increased demand, we will be very happy to reinstate the HND course.”
