University of Sussex
Brighton
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Media Studies/English?
Hey guys,
I deferred entry to Sussex last year so I'll be starting in September this year to do media studies. But a few people have been telling me English would be better as a degree in media studies isn't as 'desired' by employers.
That's got me a little worried. In my last year of a levels even the teachers didn't seem that interested anymore, saying it was the "easiest" subject of all and that "even a 5 year old could do it".
I was lucky to get in with my grades (BBD) so I shouldn't really be picky or anything, but I was thinking about changing over to Media with English.
Can anyone tell me more about the course? Is it better/worse when joint? And reassure me that a degree in media isn't a waste of time?
To be honest, I enjoy media studies more than anything... I've never been that fond of English but it's something that I've always done well in either way which always confuses me. I did find English lit more interesting in Media in A level though since that's when it was less about 'watching tv' and more about... you know, studying the media lol
Not sure what I want to be "when I'm older" apart from the fact that I'd like to do some writing, especially in film or video games.
Just some opinions on what media's like and if anyone does it joint with English, I'd like to hear from you too!
Thanks!
I deferred entry to Sussex last year so I'll be starting in September this year to do media studies. But a few people have been telling me English would be better as a degree in media studies isn't as 'desired' by employers.
That's got me a little worried. In my last year of a levels even the teachers didn't seem that interested anymore, saying it was the "easiest" subject of all and that "even a 5 year old could do it".
I was lucky to get in with my grades (BBD) so I shouldn't really be picky or anything, but I was thinking about changing over to Media with English.
Can anyone tell me more about the course? Is it better/worse when joint? And reassure me that a degree in media isn't a waste of time?
To be honest, I enjoy media studies more than anything... I've never been that fond of English but it's something that I've always done well in either way which always confuses me. I did find English lit more interesting in Media in A level though since that's when it was less about 'watching tv' and more about... you know, studying the media lol
Not sure what I want to be "when I'm older" apart from the fact that I'd like to do some writing, especially in film or video games.
Just some opinions on what media's like and if anyone does it joint with English, I'd like to hear from you too!
Thanks!
reassure me that a degree in media isn't a waste of time?
I really wish I could
Like you say, you're unlikely to get onto a decent English course with BBD
Perhaps it would be worth taking a year out and improving a couple of those grades? You do say you enjoy English more than media; and you want a job where you write for a living?
University of Sussex
Brighton
i really love media studies and wanted to do the degree but knew english would be better for me in terms of employability. a lot of the courses i looked at allow you to take modules in virtually any other subject with an english degree. especially lancaster where u can do almost 50% of ur course in another subject. maybe you should look around to see if there were any other unis that would accept you with this option?
ledge
I really wish I could
Like you say, you're unlikely to get onto a decent English course with BBD
Perhaps it would be worth taking a year out and improving a couple of those grades? You do say you enjoy English more than media; and you want a job where you write for a living?
Like you say, you're unlikely to get onto a decent English course with BBD
Perhaps it would be worth taking a year out and improving a couple of those grades? You do say you enjoy English more than media; and you want a job where you write for a living?
Ignore the above.
Media is definitely not a waste of time. Sussex has a sound department, although - if you are really worried - it might be worth investigating the potential of switching to a joint degree (Media and Sociology / Anthropology / Cultural Studies / Foreign Languages), as this might give you greater breadth of experience than other Media graduations.
See what Media graduates from 05, 04, and 03 ended up doing six months after graduation.
it's very possible that once you've arrived here, sussex lets you switch to a media/english degree, even if you don't have the grades.
and regarding media studies, unfortunately it does have a reputation as being a subject taken by those who were not academic enough to take further maths and chemistry, or who struggle with english, politics and history. the fact that there are lots and lots of media students means that just doing a media degree will not at all render you likely to get a job in the media- there just aren't enough jobs for it (and the bbc would probably prefer an english student who had worked on the student paper and radio station).
and regarding media studies, unfortunately it does have a reputation as being a subject taken by those who were not academic enough to take further maths and chemistry, or who struggle with english, politics and history. the fact that there are lots and lots of media students means that just doing a media degree will not at all render you likely to get a job in the media- there just aren't enough jobs for it (and the bbc would probably prefer an english student who had worked on the student paper and radio station).
Wise One
Ignore the above.
Media is definitely not a waste of time. Sussex has a sound department, although - if you are really worried - it might be worth investigating the potential of switching to a joint degree (Media and Sociology / Anthropology / Cultural Studies / Foreign Languages), as this might give you greater breadth of experience than other Media graduations.
Media is definitely not a waste of time. Sussex has a sound department, although - if you are really worried - it might be worth investigating the potential of switching to a joint degree (Media and Sociology / Anthropology / Cultural Studies / Foreign Languages), as this might give you greater breadth of experience than other Media graduations.
Fair enough
But honestly, do you really think that a media studies degree is seen on the same level as an English degree in the real world? I'm not sure that's the case; but I suppose it does depend on what the OP wants to do with it.
The Sussex careers/media department are obviously going to be pushing the success stories too. Of course not every media studies degree results in long term unemployment ;;-)
ledge
Fair enough
But honestly, do you really think that a media studies degree is seen on the same level as an English degree in the real world? I'm not sure that's the case; but I suppose it does depend on what the OP wants to do with it.
The Sussex careers/media department are obviously going to be pushing the success stories too. Of course not every media studies degree results in long term unemployment ;;-)
But honestly, do you really think that a media studies degree is seen on the same level as an English degree in the real world? I'm not sure that's the case; but I suppose it does depend on what the OP wants to do with it.
The Sussex careers/media department are obviously going to be pushing the success stories too. Of course not every media studies degree results in long term unemployment ;;-)
Honestly, I think that comparing a Media Studies degree with an English degree is a futile exercise, as the two are utterly different.
Paul Smith, Prof of Media & Culture @ Sussex
"In the current cultural, social and political circumstances that we live in, the media is so pre-eminent, that some way of understanding it is fairly crucial for an informed citizenship. We are trying to understand how [the media] operates, what kind of structures it has and the cultural impact it has."
I mean, Media Studies isn't just about watching TV programmes and reading trashy magazines, it's an intellectually rigerous attempt to examine various Media sources in a similar way to how one might tackle a 'text' in English Literature.
Frankly, I don't think that English gets all that much respect either. At least with Media Studies, the students generally have a slightly more focused view of what they want to do with their lives, and - particularly at Sussex - the students I've talked to seem more likely to have picked up some relevant work experience along the way.
Well I don't doubt it could be a very interesting degree if you enjoy that sort of thing.
I certainly agree with you there!
I think there is a real problem with the amount of people going to university these days - all the new degrees and universities must have devalued higher education in some way - and certainly a "soft" degree (I don't mean to use a value judgement here but i'd include both media and English in what i'm talking about) often don't leave people much better off, employment-wise, than they'd be without them.
Three cheers, Tony Blair!
Frankly, I don't think that English gets all that much respect either.
I certainly agree with you there!
I think there is a real problem with the amount of people going to university these days - all the new degrees and universities must have devalued higher education in some way - and certainly a "soft" degree (I don't mean to use a value judgement here but i'd include both media and English in what i'm talking about) often don't leave people much better off, employment-wise, than they'd be without them.
Three cheers, Tony Blair!
As a Sussex media graduate I'd argue that any humanities type degree teaches you to research, write extended essays, consider different sides of a debate etc. It's up to you to explain this to potential employers and highlight the skills you've gained. Bear in mind that Sussex allows you to take electives in other disciplines (though I studied under the old system which was slightly different). Don't get me started on 'media studies is a pointless subject', thats quite a long rant!
Personally I also benefited from all the extra-curricular stuff I did in the Students' Union.
I say do something you find interesting, rather that than become one of the trillions of English students who seem to be doing it because they couldn't think of anything else to do.
Just my thoughts
Jo x
Personally I also benefited from all the extra-curricular stuff I did in the Students' Union.
I say do something you find interesting, rather that than become one of the trillions of English students who seem to be doing it because they couldn't think of anything else to do.
Just my thoughts
Jo x
ledge
I think there is a real problem with the amount of people going to university these days - all the new degrees and universities must have devalued higher education in some way - and certainly a "soft" degree (I don't mean to use a value judgement here but i'd include both media and English in what i'm talking about) often don't leave people much better off, employment-wise, than they'd be without them.
Three cheers, Tony Blair!
Three cheers, Tony Blair!
I disagree emphatically on the basis of lack of evidence.
I have yet to see a comparison of employment statistics pre-Blair and post-Blair.
To be honest, I think that in 80% of cases, your degree doesn't matter when it comes to finding employment. You need to have a degree in something, you need work experience in a relevant field, and you need to be enthusiastic.
It's about you as an individual, not whether you did Media Studies or English. And I think you'll probably get a better degree classification if you're studying something that you enjoy and are interested in.
Agreed, Wise One. It's not so much what you study at uni, but showing that you've joined societies, done work experience and showed enthusiasm for your subject beyond showing up for lectures.
Remember there is always the option of postgrad study if you want to go into a more specialised area of work in the future. While you're young, i'd say go for what you enjoy and can commit to for 3 years.
Remember there is always the option of postgrad study if you want to go into a more specialised area of work in the future. While you're young, i'd say go for what you enjoy and can commit to for 3 years.
PS - Perhaps if you want to go into a certain area of media you should think about whether you even need a degree. A friend of mine is a radio presenter, and worked his way up from hospital radio to production to getting his own show. Is there an alternative route such as working as a runner?
Wise One
I disagree emphatically on the basis of lack of evidence.
I have yet to see a comparison of employment statistics pre-Blair and post-Blair.
To be honest, I think that in 80% of cases, your degree doesn't matter when it comes to finding employment. You need to have a degree in something, you need work experience in a relevant field, and you need to be enthusiastic.
It's about you as an individual, not whether you did Media Studies or English. And I think you'll probably get a better degree classification if you're studying something that you enjoy and are interested in.
I have yet to see a comparison of employment statistics pre-Blair and post-Blair.
To be honest, I think that in 80% of cases, your degree doesn't matter when it comes to finding employment. You need to have a degree in something, you need work experience in a relevant field, and you need to be enthusiastic.
It's about you as an individual, not whether you did Media Studies or English. And I think you'll probably get a better degree classification if you're studying something that you enjoy and are interested in.
Well, I don't have the evidence for that to hand, so I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree.
And perhaps its better to have a media degree from Sussex than an English degree from Luton or whatever, I would probably agree there too.
Still; best of all to have a good degree from a good uni, but there you go.
ladyportacabin PS - Perhaps if you want to go into a certain area of media you should think about whether you even need a degree. A friend of mine is a radio presenter, and worked his way up from hospital radio to production to getting his own show. Is there an alternative route such as working as a runner?
Would agree with that for some too
ledge
I really wish I could
Like you say, you're unlikely to get onto a decent English course with BBD
Perhaps it would be worth taking a year out and improving a couple of those grades? You do say you enjoy English more than media; and you want a job where you write for a living?
Like you say, you're unlikely to get onto a decent English course with BBD
Perhaps it would be worth taking a year out and improving a couple of those grades? You do say you enjoy English more than media; and you want a job where you write for a living?
I believe the minimum Englsih requirements are changing to AAB from next year. Secondly, I'm drunk.
To the OP..
Just to say, I thought exactly the same as you originally. I was going to take English and Media Studies at Sussex as i thought it would be a more reputable degree for employers...
HOWEVER..
If your going to study media at Sussex, you will be at one of the best places for the field. Moreover, Sussex is the only university to offer the B.A.(Hons) Media Practice and Theory degree that i am studying. Like in the media industry, where the theoretical reinforces the practical (and vice versa), this 50/50 split of practice and theory is particularly attractive qualification to a range of employers. Furthermore, as Media is such a wide FIELD, it encompasses a range of issues which are applicable to a wide range of jobs.
Personally, i love the field!.. both the theory and the practical! What many people also disregard is that Media, particularly in the practical side, requires you to develop your creativity and artistic skills, which many other academic degrees fail to do.
Nevertheless, what is going to guarantee you a job is getting valuable work experience..and that is the same for any degree you get. To many employers, a high EQ is worth more than a high IQ, and this comes from working with others and getting valuable vocational experience to support the academic foundation provided by your degree..
To some up, like SussexJo said, study what you find interesting. I am certainly pleased that i'm doing media p+t instead of english and media; firstly, as the course really is interesting and secondly, it equips me with the skills that are more applicable to my aspirations working in the broadcasting industry.
Hope this kinda helps
Dan
Just to say, I thought exactly the same as you originally. I was going to take English and Media Studies at Sussex as i thought it would be a more reputable degree for employers...
HOWEVER..
If your going to study media at Sussex, you will be at one of the best places for the field. Moreover, Sussex is the only university to offer the B.A.(Hons) Media Practice and Theory degree that i am studying. Like in the media industry, where the theoretical reinforces the practical (and vice versa), this 50/50 split of practice and theory is particularly attractive qualification to a range of employers. Furthermore, as Media is such a wide FIELD, it encompasses a range of issues which are applicable to a wide range of jobs.
Personally, i love the field!.. both the theory and the practical! What many people also disregard is that Media, particularly in the practical side, requires you to develop your creativity and artistic skills, which many other academic degrees fail to do.
Nevertheless, what is going to guarantee you a job is getting valuable work experience..and that is the same for any degree you get. To many employers, a high EQ is worth more than a high IQ, and this comes from working with others and getting valuable vocational experience to support the academic foundation provided by your degree..
To some up, like SussexJo said, study what you find interesting. I am certainly pleased that i'm doing media p+t instead of english and media; firstly, as the course really is interesting and secondly, it equips me with the skills that are more applicable to my aspirations working in the broadcasting industry.
Hope this kinda helps
Dan
Hey Im doing a French and Media Degree, hopefully at Sussex - i know what youmean, i sometimes feel it will be a wste of time with the media side but i enjoy it..and then i think if i find i dont enjoy, i can switch to just French (Is that something you can do at Sussex actually, anyone know?)
And does anyone else know if the MEdia degree at sussex (the normal one) has any practical cause i enjoy that much moire!
And does anyone else know if the MEdia degree at sussex (the normal one) has any practical cause i enjoy that much moire!
Mccarroll
Hey Im doing a French and Media Degree, hopefully at Sussex - i know what youmean, i sometimes feel it will be a wste of time with the media side but i enjoy it..and then i think if i find i dont enjoy, i can switch to just French (Is that something you can do at Sussex actually, anyone know?)
It might be trickier with languages, and you'd probably have to switch within the first five weeks, but it should be possible.
And does anyone else know if the MEdia degree at sussex (the normal one) has any practical cause i enjoy that much moire!
If that's what you want, you should investigate Media Practice & Theory, although you wouldn't be able to do that with French.
Mccarroll
And does anyone else know if the MEdia degree at sussex (the normal one) has any practical cause i enjoy that much moire!
If yout ake Media practice and theory you have practical, and if you do straight Media Studies you do practical, but not as much (I have 3 hours practical, I think MPT do 6?), but if you do it as a joint honours I'm pretty sure you dont' get any, at least not in the first year, as part of your course.
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