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We provide content, assessment and digital services to learners, educational institutions, employers, governments and other partners globally. We are committed to helping equip learners with the skills they need to enhance their employability prospects and to succeed in the changing world of work. We believe that wherever learning flourishes so do people.  \nR  \nThis specification is Issue 3. Key changes are summarised on the next page.  \nWe will inform centres of any changes to this issue. The latest issue can be found on our website.  \nReferences to third party materials made in this specification are made in good faith. Pearson does not endorse, approve or accept responsibility for the content of materials, which may be subject to change, or any opinions expressed therein. (Materials may include textbooks, journals, magazines and other publications and websites.)  \nAll information in this specification is correct at time of publication.  \nOriginal image by © Pheonix Renders/Shutterstock  \nISBN 978 1 292 72061 6  \nAll the material in this publication is copyright © Pearson Education Limited 2026  \nSummary of changes in Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Journalism specification Issue 3  \n\n| Summary of changes made between previous issue and this current issue | Page numbers |\n| --- | --- |\n| Inserting sections 1.7 Key Features and 1.8 Qualification Frameworks. | 3, 4 |\n| Renumbering 1.7 Collaborative Development to 1.9, in line with the two sections inserted above. | 4 |\n| Removing section 4.4 Assignment Checking Service. | 14 |\n| Renumbering 4.5 to 4.4 due to removal of 4.4 listed above. | 14 |\n| 5.2.1 English Language requirements\u003Cbr>Section update | 17 |\n| Guidance added to 7.4.4 to confirm that, at summative assessment, a separate grade must be confirmed for each of the five standard assessment criteria; They should be recorded clearly, with summative assessment and internal verification documents, and submitted to Pearson when claiming certificates. Clarification also confirms that a single aggregated unit grade must not be used. | 38 |\n| Adding new section 7.6.2 Compensation & [7.6.2.1](7.6.2.1) Compensation for the HNC. | 41 |\n| Renumbering 7.6.2 to 7.6.3 due to the addition of a new 7.6.2 listed above. | 42 |\n| Clarifying that, to claim the full qualification, a student must achieve a minimum of a pass grade for each of the standard assessment criteria in 7.6.3. | 42 |\n\nIf you need further information on these changes or what they mean, contact us via our website at: [qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/contact-us.html](qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/contact-us.html).  \nContents  \n1.0 Introduction 1  \n1.1 The student voice 1  \n1.2 Why choose Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals? 1  \n1.3 HN Global 2  \n1.4 Qualification titles 3  \n1.5 Qualification codes 3  \n1.6 Awarding organisation 3  \n1.7 Key features 3  \n1.8 Qualification frameworks 4  \n1.9 Collaborative development 4  \n2.0 Programming purpose and objectives 6  \n2.1 Purpose of the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Journalism 6  \n2.2 Objectives of the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Journalism 6  \n2.3 Aims of the Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Journalism 7  \n2.4 Aims of the Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Journalism 7  \n2.5 Developing students’ employability skills and academic study skills 7  \n2.5.1 Use of maths and English within the curriculum 9  \n2.6 What could these qualifications lead to? 9  \n2.6.1 Progression to university 10  \n2.6.2 University recognition and articulations 10  \n3.0 Preparing students for employment 11  \n3.1 Designin","cbCaihFbGNVgySSi","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaihFbGNVgySSi","pdf",5508463,65,"English","# 1.0 Introduction\n## 1.1 The student voice\n## 1.2 Why choose Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals?\n## 1.3 HN Global\n## 1.4 Qualification titles\n## 1.5 Qualification codes\n## 1.6 Awarding organisation\n## 1.7 Key features\n## 1.8 Qualification frameworks\n## 1.9 Collaborative development\n# 2.0 Programming purpose and objectives\n## 2.1 Purpose of the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Journalism\n## 2.2 Objectives of the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Journalism\n## 2.3 Aims of the Level 4 HNC in Journalism\n## 2.4 Aims of the Level 5 HND in Journalism\n## 2.5 Developing students’ employability skills and academic study skills\n## 2.6 What could these qualifications lead to?\n# 3.0 Preparing students for employment\n## 3.1 Designing with employers, for employers\n# 4.0 Centre Support\n## 4.1 This document\n## 4.2 Support on HN Global\n## 4.3 Assessment and Assignment Guidance\n## 4.4 Pearson English\n# 5.0 Planning your programme\n## 5.1 Delivering the Higher Nationals\n## 5.2 Entry requirements and admissions\n## 5.3 Access to study\n## 5.4 Student registration and entry\n## 5.5 Access to assessments\n## 5.6 Administrative arrangements for internal assessment\n## 5.7 Dealing with malpractice in assessment\n# 6.0 Programme structure\n## 6.1 Modules, Assessment Units, Credits and Total Qualification Time\n## 6.2 Programme structures\n# 7.0 Assessment\n## 7.1 Principles of internal assessment\n## 7.2 Assessment Using Standard Criteria\n## 7.3 Formative Assessment\n## 7.4 Making valid assessment decisions","[{\"question\":\"What does Issue 3 change in the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Journalism specification?\",\"answer\":\"Issue 3 includes inserted sections 1.7 Key Features and 1.8 Qualification Frameworks, renumbering of related content, removal of section 4.4 Assignment Checking Service, and added/clarified guidance for English language requirements, AI-based assessment decisions, compensation, and achieving pass grades across standard assessment criteria.\"},{\"question\":\"What are the programme levels covered by this specification?\",\"answer\":\"The specification covers the Higher National Certificate at Level 4 and the Higher National Diploma at Level 5, with first teaching from September 2023 and first certification from September 2024.\"},{\"question\":\"How should summative assessment grades and verification evidence be handled under the specification?\",\"answer\":\"Guidance specifies that a separate grade must be confirmed for each of the five standard assessment criteria, recorded clearly with summative assessment and internal verification documents, and submitted to Pearson when claiming certificates. It also clarifies that a single aggregated unit grade must not be used.\"}]","Higher Nationals Journalism Specification - Issue 3 - Key changes summary | PDF",1792467965,164]