Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

25th Aug 2025, 2 years

Location

City Campus

Applications from International Students Welcome

Overview

This course prepares you for a career in the communication industry. You will develop an understanding of the nature and function of advertising and public relations, within a wider marketing and marketing communications framework. 

The new HND in Advertising & PR further develops your skills in both traditional and digital areas of marketing research, consumer behaviour, campaign planning, media, copywriting and corporate identity. You will learn how to communicate effectively in this environment by engaging with employers and decision-makers from the industry throughout this course and have the opportunity to work with live clients. Theory and underpinning knowledge are fully covered to prepare you for further studies at degree and professional level.

After year 1 of this course, you will achieve the HNC in Marketing Communications and may continue to the HND Advertising & PR in year 2.

The course is placed on the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

Year one entry:

• Two Highers at Grade C or above in relevant* subjects; OR
• NC or NQ qualification at SCQF level 6 in a relevant business subject; OR
• Other equivalent qualifications or experience.

* relevant subjects include English, Business Management, Economics, History, Mathematics, Media or a Science subject.

Year two entry:

• Successful completion of a full-time HNC Marketing Communications course with 15 credits.

Additional selection requirements

You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area or we'll make an offer based on your application form.

ESOL entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum SQA ESOL National 5 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher or equivalent for HNC/D courses.

What you study

In year 1 you will study the HNC Marketing Communications units:-

• Digital Marketing Communications: Website Development & Content Development.
• Marketing Introduction & Planning.
• Marketing Research Theory. 
• Advertising: The Advertising Industry & PR: Principles & Practice.
• Graded Unit.

Other units include:-

• Advertising Media Research.
• Media Analysis:  Advertisements. 
• Corporate Identity, Marketing: Brand Management. 
• Advertising: Media Sales & Buying. 
• Copywriting.
• Public Relations: Strategic Analysis & Application. 
• Developing a Digital Advertising & PR Campaign. 
• Digital Imaging. 
• Law & the Communications Industry. 
• Economic Issues: An Intro.
• Financial Accounting Statements: An Intro. 
• Professional Sales: Principles & Practice.
• Consumer Behaviour & the Marketing Process.

After the course

Careers

This course prepares you for a career in:

• Advertising Agencies.
• PR consultancies.
• Digital/Social media companies.
• Commercial, or media-based companies.
• In-house marketing communications (advertising, PR, branding) across commercial and non-commercial companies, private and public sector.
• Self-employment.

Continuing Study

You can apply for (mainly) 3rd-year entry to relevant universities:-

• Glasgow Caledonian University: BA(Hons) Marketing, BA (Hons) Media.
• Edinburgh Napier University: BA (Hons) Communication, Advertising & PR, BA (Hons) Marketing with Digital Media, BA (Hons) Marketing Management.
• University of the West of Scotland: BA Marketing.
• Queen Margaret University: BA/BA (Hons) PR, Marketing & Events.
• University of Stirling: BA Digital Media, BA Marketing.

You can also progress onto professional awards such as the

• Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Certificate/Diploma in Marketing.
• Institute of Practitioners in Advertising Foundation Certificate.
• Chartered Institute of Public Relations Certificate in PR.
• CAM Diploma in Digital Marketing.

Teaching

How the course is taught

Assessment methods