what and where are the best uni's for media?

[sark2]

Anyone know the best univesities for media, looking with my 17yr old, and he's actually wanting to know now!

I think it depends what you mean by "media". Actually, it's probably really silly of me to have responded, because even if you explain, I probably won't know the answer!

I think I would ask what he hopes to do with the degree (whatever it is). A degree in "Media Studies" may not be worth paying money for, wherever you do it. I apologise if that sounds dismissive, but I don't know many people in the performing arts world, or the few I know in TV or journalism who would consider Media Studies a useful route to anything. That might not be what you're looking at of course.

He really likes the subject and is really engaged and motivated but more the film side of it,so I'm looking for somewhere that has a good reputation really for that part of the subject. Do you think there are other subjects out there that are better suited? I haven't got a clue!!! Any advice is helpful! Thanks!

I did Journalism Studies at Sheffield University. It has a good reputation.

However, I would get a 'good'' degree in a traditional subject and loads of experience while a student. I think it would give him more options later. Glasgow uni does Eng Lit with film and TV and has excellent student newspaper.

I am pretty sure Grimsby is a very good place for this course. i know a couple of lecturers and they really love their work and are very enthusiastic about film.

www.eastcoastmedia.co.uk/

If you want to get a good job in the media your best bet is an Oxbridge degree in something like English and get a 2/1.

Thanks all of you I'll have a look at all of these and strike while the iron is hot!!!

For film/moving image media, I'd look at Bournemouth, Cardiff, UCE Birmingham and Salford - all have fantastic resources and excellent links to industry, with really good work placements on offer.

I agree with Xenia and nobodysbaby. Oxbridge if he gets the grades or Salford if he's less academic.
The opportunities at Media City in Salford are incredible and Salford University have very close ties with it.

hehe, xenia works for the bbc

Getting into the media as a job is very tricky with ludicrous amounts of competition...the vast majority if media students don't end up working in the industry.

Your son really needs to think about what exactly he'd like to do and work from there. You say he's interested in film...which area? Scripts writing? Script editing? Production?

If he could narrow it down a bit it would be helpful...which I know is a tall order for a 17 year old who probably has no idea yet.

When I was working in television graphics Ravensbourne College had quite a good success rate at getting its students work, mainly because they were had all the (then) new-fangled technical equipment to train them on. I have no idea what its reputation is now but may be worth a look.

But above all I would agree with others and say it is much better to do an old-fashioned degree (Fine Art, English, Maths) from a good university which will keep options open rather than narrow them down.

Media is such a broad title its hard to recommend.... if its film and media, type that into the search engine on UCAS and it'll show you who provides those specific course - then look at the good univeristy guide (times or telegraph) to get more info.

It really depends where you are and how far you want to go - for film and TV you might look at Glasgow School of Art. For film and animation you should look at University for the Creative Arts. Lots of different options for type of course.

I think most people might say that a broad based media studies degree without a significant hands on aspect to the course won't give a student the best employment prospects - but its entriely different with a specific focussed skills based media course.

City University, London or Cardiff University have some of the most respected media courses. My honest opinion however is not to do media as a first degree.

DP works in technical side of TV and most of the people in his dept. went to Bournemouth, it's a highly practical course with a great reputation. DP studied Communications at Goldsmiths, which was 50:50 practical and theory, also has a good rep. I'd say for the technical side you'd want these kinds of courses, for the creative side that's where they like the Oxbridge degrees.

A degree in Media Studies is NOT considered to be great/sought after and I'd recommend, as others have done, a traditional degree at a good traditional uni, to keep your options open. I used to work for a STM publisher and my boss used to bin ALL CVs that stated their owners had a media studies degree from anywhere!! It's often seen as an easy option.

He should call the HR departments of the companies he wants to work for after he graduates and ask them where they recruit from and what courses they suggest he consider. He should also ask about work experience. It is very important that he gets lots of good work experience early on as media is very popular career choice.

Thanks everyone

I don't know much about media courses, but a friend studied film (and a language) at Kings College London and seems to be doing well for herself now. She has been awarded funding from various sources to go towards her independent films. So based on the little I know about the subject I'd say Kings could be a good option.

If your DS wants to keep his options open he could also consider a joint degree - media or film with something more traditional like English, politics, history or a language?

As above. there are many fields in media. I'd think about a good journalistic background as magazines, tv/radio, PR, advertising etc all use writing in either print or scripting. Film Studies is ok but less chance of employment and there are 1000s trying to get into TV. Most tv/radio presenters get a good degree in a traditional subject. Do a wiki on some of them to see what they did eg Fiona Bruce, Kate Stapleton, John Humphries. J.Clarkson didn't go to Uni but straight onto his local paper as a cub journalist

I work in "the media" and I have a degree in English which has served me very well. I would definitely encourage your son to take something more traditional. My degree did have film studies as an option for a module during our second year and he could get experience while he is studying like other posters have suggested as he will have plenty of free time. Experience will make his CV stand out more than anything else.

We all know this - good degre in something like ENglish ideally at Oxbridge but then people peddle these lesser degrees which will never get you a decent job in the media other than a fairly subsidiary role and people not in the know are conned into doing them or else just plain not bright enough to take English at Oxford or Durham etc and employers know this.