Journalism with Documentary Filmmaking

HND in Journalism with Documentary Filmmaking
Leading to BA (Hon’s)

Journalism plays a vital role in informing, questioning, and shaping society. The HND in Journalism with Documentary Filmmaking combines rigorous journalistic practice with the visual storytelling techniques of documentary film, preparing students to work across broadcast, digital, and screen-based media.
Grounded in Pearson’s Higher National Diploma in Journalism, the course develops core journalistic skills including research, verification, ethics, audience awareness, and clear communication, while extending these skills into documentary filmmaking and factual screen production.
Drawing on Raindance’s long-standing expertise in independent filmmaking and screen culture, students will learn how to investigate real-world stories, shape them responsibly, and present them through written, audio, visual, and documentary formats suitable for contemporary media platforms.
By the end of the programme, students will have developed a professional portfolio of journalistic and documentary work and be prepared for careers in journalism, documentary production, or progression to a one-year BA Honours top-up degree.

Who This Course Is For?
This course is designed for aspiring journalists, documentary filmmakers, and factual content creators who want to investigate real stories and communicate them responsibly across modern media platforms.
It is suited to those interested in news reporting, investigative journalism, documentary film, broadcast media, and digital storytelling. The course supports students who wish to work independently, freelance, or within media organisations, while maintaining strong ethical and professional standards.
Aligned with Raindance’s ethos of empowering independent storytellers, the course encourages students to retain editorial integrity while understanding the practical realities of production, commissioning, and distribution.

YEAR 1
MODULE A: PROCESS AND PRACTICE ASSESSMENT A1: CONCEPT AND DEVELOPMENT (85 CREDITS)

This unit introduces students to the foundations of journalism and documentary practice. You will explore news values, ethics, verification, and research methods while developing skills in story development for written, broadcast, and documentary formats. The unit also introduces visual storytelling, interview techniques, scripting, and legal considerations such as libel, consent, and duty of care.

ASSESSMENT A2: CREATIVE PROJECT
(35 CREDITS)

In this practical unit, students produce a research-led journalistic project. This may take the form of a short documentary film, video journalism piece, multimedia report, or audio documentary. The project must demonstrate factual accuracy, ethical decision making, and clear communication for a defined audience.

YEAR 2:
MODULE B: PROFESSIONAL CREATIVE PRACTICE
ASSESSMENT UNIT B1: PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
(45 CREDITS)

This unit focuses on professional practice and career development within journalism and documentary media. Students develop
their professional identity, learn pitching and commissioning processes, explore freelance and employment pathways, and build a portfolio suitable for publication, broadcast, or further study.

ASSESSMENT UNIT B2: ADVANCED
SPECIALIST PRACTICE (75 CREDITS)

This advanced unit enables students to produce a substantial piece of journalistic or documentary work. You will take full responsibility for research, ethical clearance, production planning, filming, editing, and evaluation. Projects are designed to reflect professional standards and demonstrate readiness for journalism, documentary production, or progression to higher study.

Assessment is through a series of assignments including research modules, hands-on practical exercises and group projects. Units are interlinked to replicate “real world” scenarios and offer the opportunity for students to build a range of skills to maximise employment opportunities.