Qualifications In Media

Blimey, I feel like a right old fogey reading this thread! I hate to spoil the party, but although I'm sure GCSE Media Studies is a good start, not having it isn't likely to prevent anyone getting on in the media. I didn't start studying Media Studies as a specilist subject until University, and then it was Media Production , focussed on production techniques and best practice. There are a lot of Media courses out there and a lot of them study all media from print to web, along with covering a bit of sociology-based stuff to do with mass media theory and so-on. Many are designed to have a very wide appeal and because of our celebrity obsessed lifestyle these days, are usually over subscribed by "Celeb Wannabes".

So, by all means get GCSEs & A-Levels in Media Studies if you want, but don't think by doing more traditional stuff you'll be excluded from working in the media by having stuck with the old fashioned stuff. In fact, if you've studied English or Drama, Maths, Science, Marketing & PR or Economics to A-Level, then choose a Media Degree or other FE level qualification, I'd say you'd a far better chance of succeeding in the meeja once you get in.

Above all, watch telly, listen to the radio, read books, get a newspaper, take part in wikis, read blogs, use the web for getting news. You'd be amazed how many people apply for jobs in the media and don't actually seem to 'consume' any of it.

Good Luck!

"Production" is the key over "Studies". The latter is totally pointless and you'll never use it. Get a decent production course and you'll learn alot of basic and key filming/editing/lighting/etc skills.

I'm a second year journalism student at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston. If you have a genuine passion in news and are looking for a challenge then I highly recommend the course.

GCSE Media, Mocon in Radio and Diploma in Media.

I have an OCN in Media (Radio Production) which was just a just a timefiller 'bit on the side' of my A-levels.

Got a B at A Level for Media Studies, the best part of the course was the television section obviously.

If you have a genuine passion for news, *a number of lecturers* will soon suck that out of you!

Can't agree that the course is challenging. I certainly didn't think it was when I took it.

When did you take the course? A lot of my course mates have struggled over the past few weeks. The lecturers have a tendency to pile 10 assignments on us at once!

Looking at tominstockport's last post, I can only assume the course teaches nothing about libel laws.

I left a couple of years ago now. I've got the kind of job I wanted but don't really feel that the course contributed much to my getting it.

As for your comment Spencer, you're right. It's unfair to single out one when I had issues with a number of lecturers, so I'll go back and change it accordingly.

I did a Media Studies degree followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Newspaper Journalism, but, mainly for personal reasons, at the moment the only journalism-related tasks I am involved with are local community voluntary projects with young people through internet radio, producing and editing a newsletter and working on film production. And what I'm doing right now is fantastic - I work with great people in strong, friendly teams from all walks of life with plenty of pro-active ideas and enthusiasm.

I still would like to work in broadcast media, but I feel my lack of work experience and personal circumstances are the main barriers for me to pursue a paid career in the media now.

I would certainly recommend if you are interested in pursuing work in the media to do volunteer work - you can gain skills, experience and confidence which provide a great foundation to breaking into paid employment; as well as meeting people and establishing contacts with media/journalism professionals and working as part of a team.

Off topic a little but I am doing a BTEC in Resistent materials whivh is Woodwork and Metalwork

Well the replies have definatly been a eye-opener to the vast amount of courses availible to me. But like people have said GSCE media doesn't count to anything and that you need to gain further degrees in the area. It's something i'll sure look into in the future - thanks for the info guys!