A level choice

I’m stuck with deciding between English literature and media studies, any advice on either subject?

English Literature is very well respected by all universities, Media studies isn’t. However it really just depends on your career path, what university you wish to attend, and what you enjoy. If you enjoy Media Studies more, do it, and the same goes for English. But if you like them equally, chose English - IMO.

Reply 2

Molly1611

I studied English Literature and absolutely loved it (doing it at uni in September). Honestly though, do what you enjoy as you'll do better in it. It is true that Literature is probably more respected by uni's and has a wider range of possible future careers. e.g. English at uni has offered me theatre studies, film studies.etc so you could do a media studies related career if you did Literature. I dont know if it works vice versa so I would go for Literature :smile:

hope that helps

Reply 3

thht24

Media studies wasn’t available for gcse so I haven’t done it before

Reply 4

Josh5718

Original post by thht24

Media studies wasn’t available for gcse so I haven’t done it before

I did it at GCSE in 2018. Loved the creative aspect but hated the coursework lol. If there’s anything you want to know about it, ask away.

Reply 5

thht24

So my dilemma is, do I choose media studies or English literature for A level. First of all I have never done media studies before where as for English I already know what’s ahead

Reply 6

thht24

Is the learning bit (theory) of media studies hard

Reply 7

Josh5718

Original post by thht24

Is the learning bit (theory) of media studies hard

No it’s very easy. You just pick it up in lesson and there’s no real need to memorise it

Reply 8

thht24

Is the photoshop hard to pick up on

Reply 9

Josh5718

Original post by thht24

Is the photoshop hard to pick up on

not at all. you have a very long time to come to grips with it

Reply 10

thht24

Thank you, how hard is English? How much of a step up is it from gcse?

Reply 11

JJJJJAAAAMES

If a subject has "studies" in the name, then its probably not a very well respected a level.

Reply 12

thht24

I have to decide by Monday as well

Reply 13

Josh5718

Original post by thht24

Thank you, how hard is English? How much of a step up is it from gcse?

Personally, I’ve not felt any jump. But I think that’s because I’ve always been a straight A student in English and have always found it easy. It just depends on how hard you try in lesson as that’s where your writing ability will develop. The poems are definitely harder to grasp but it really comes down to whether you have a natural flare for the subject or not.

Reply 14

thht24

Thank you, I’m just scared I’d make the wrong decision but at the end of the day media studies is probably what I’d be better at (more able to cope with the course), however I want to enjoy my a levels and I did enjoy English at gcse however I was an A/B student, never really A* but I did very well in the coursework

Reply 15

Josh5718

Original post by thht24

I mean I got an 8 in GCSE English and started Year 12 getting Cs, then Bs and then I got an A in my AS. My friend got a 7 at GCSE and she ended up being 1 mark off an A in her AS, and then my other friend got a 6 and she ended up with a C. So it varies. You need a natural ability however being an A/B student won’t stop you from getting an A/A*. You just need to work hard. My friend did and even though she was one grade below me at GCSE, for the whole year we were getting the same (and then in the AS exam she was only 1 mark off a A like I said). English is a course of progression, and if you enjoy it you will do well. Media studies is a lot less respected however if your career path doesn’t require either, then take whatever you enjoy the most.