FIFE College students eager to pursue a career in journalism were dealt a body blow after hearing their course is to be scrapped.

College bosses have made the move to cancel the second academic year of the HND Practical Journalism course, leaving 14 first-year students in limbo.

The decision means that they will no longer be able to obtain their HND or qualify for essential NCTJ qualifications, which are only offered in year two.

The issue has now been raised in the Scottish Parliament by MSP Claire Baker, questioning whether the Government thought it was acceptable that the course was cut midway through the programme.

She said: “All students that sign up to a course should expect to be able to complete it. For students halfway through to be told that they can no longer sit the exams that enticed many of them to sign up in the first place is unacceptable.

“Fife has a proud tradition of great writers and fine journalists. We should be looking to cultivate this.

“Transferring to Sunderland University is not a realistic option for many of the students based in Fife and closing this course leaves Glasgow as the only place in Scotland to be NCTJ accredited.

“Fife College must ensure that the students currently on their Practical Journalism course are able to complete it to the full HND level.”

Jake Gray, 19, gave up his full-time job on the premise he would be undertaking two years' worth of study.

He believes the class were "misled".

"It's put us all in a difficult situation," he told the Press.

"We're all very frustrated as we all expected to carry out what we signed up for.

"They didn't even come and speak to us. They sent a letter in the post.

"It's a sore one for everyone, and especially those of us who left full-time jobs to do this.

"One girl, from Shetland, moved down to Kirkcaldy by herself to attain her HND.

"We've been misled and messed with."

His views are echoed by fellow student, Cammy Anderson, from Dunfermline, who said: "It came out of nowhere and the students weren't consulted at all.

"There weren’t any signs to suggest this would happen.

"It's ridiculous.

"There's never a great time to hear your course has been cancelled, but given UCAS deadlines, it’s an awful time to make this call.

"It doesn't make any sense whatsoever."

Hugh Hall, Principal at Fife College, explained that the decision had been made after a department review, with falling class numbers at the St Brycedale Campus in Kirkcaldy partly to blame.

He said: "Fife College has offered the HNC/HND in Practical Journalism for several years and both were included in our 17/18 Prospectus.

"Following a review of the academic portfolio earlier this year, the College concluded, regretfully, that it could no longer continue offering the HND. 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.

"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 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."

The class met with James Bisset, curriculum manager, earlier this week to discuss the curtailing, with a follow-up meeting set for Monday, November 27.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) have thrown their weight behind the class, calling for the resumption of the course.

Dominic Bascombe, NUJ Scotland organiser, said: "The closure of this course is a worrying situation for students hoping to develop the solid foundation they need to enter the industry. The number of colleges offering fully accredited courses is shrinking in Scotland and it is vital that students have the opportunity to study journalism.

"We are calling on Fife College to reconsider its decision to end the HND Practical Journalism and support the students wishing to pursue this course of study."