Media Studies

Media studies is slowly coming out of the shadow of the derision hurled at it by the academic traditionalists who view the idea of a dissertation on contextual analysis of EastEnders as simply a reward for three years of watching television.

Yet, given the power of the mass media in this modern age, the ability to conduct an integrated study of the various tools of the age (newspaper, 'IV, radio, internet and so on) in social, cultural and historical context is invaluable. If you want to nod vaguely in the direction of Marshall McCluhan (and you surely will), it is the medium and the message that are important.

You'll study the way the media represent people and events (and there are rich pickings in that in these turbulent times), and the way those messages are put over: the use of sound and vision in these information-saturated times.

The courses you can take will vary widely in terms of academic content and vocational intent. In some, you'll be looking more at the sociology, the linguistics and the cultural hinterland of the media, treating the subject as almost purely academic, with perhaps some practical aspects. Alternatively, you'll be heading for a more job-related course, picking up skills rather than theories and perhaps working in journalism, film, photographs, production or the digital media.

Or, you could end up somewhere in between.

Whatever the slant of your coursework, you'll be building the skills of research, enquiry and analysis that older courses have always seen as part of their brief. What's more, media studies graduates still come out as above average in statistics for postgraduate employment, with more than three-quarters finding employment in the first six months after graduating - although only 15% in the media. That apparent discrepancy lies partly in the snobbery of those 30- to 40-somethings who came through the educational system at a time when media studies was in its infancy - there is still a mistrust of the course in the industry; but those times are changing.

So be a little wary, if media studies is going to be your bag. On the assumption that you're taking the course as a way into the media industry, you should always remember that it's massive, with more students attempting media-related courses in higher or further education than are employed by the whole of the BBC. So this isn't going to sweep you elegantly into the director general's seat. For most people, success in the media is all about beating the odds: only those willing to make the tea, do the photocopying, or pick up the phone to the mad, bad and dangerous, will survive. And if you can do all of the above effectively and understand pictures or string a sentence together (and sometimes not even that), then no one will ever again assess your employment suitability on the subject of your degree.