The Scottish exam board that told a disabled student he would not pass journalism diploma course because he cannot write shorthand has said it will review its criteria after “clarification” from the NCTJ over the matter.

Kyle Gunn, 19, was told he would not pass a two-year Practical Journalism course at Glasgow’s Clyde College, which incorporates the NTCJ level three Diploma in Journalism, because he would not be able to compete shorthand exams – a result of his cerebral palsy.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has said it was following training standards set by UK training body the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) in issuing the advice to the teenager.