A Level choices - is Media a no no

[SilverGlitterBaubles]

DC wants to take Economics, Geography and is considering Media but is concerned that this is considered a weaker subject or one that this not on the preferred subject list for some universities. Part of me agrees but I also think that gained an 8 in Media at GCSE it would be a good fit. Does anyone have experience of this or any suggestions for 3rd subject that would fit also welcome. TIA

My best friend’s daughter did media A level, then did a degree in the same subject at Manchester Met. She walked straight into a fabulous job at the BBC.

It depends what he wants to do. I worked in academia not as an academic and husband works in law in both these circles it's just seen as a non-subject.

I imagine other occupations it would be viewed more favourably I guess.

@LoserWinner That's amazing to hear. @Skeldale This is part of the problem, she does not know what she wants to do which I think is understandable at 16.

I think the top grades can be quite hard to get in Media A level?

with Geo and Econ, Sociology would fit really well.

In banking recruitment subjects like media, PE, drama, dance etc are kind of excluded in the profile as seen as fun and not academic

Depends if she wants a serious type career or something fun/ casual.

@Ayrayeaye I have mentioned Sociology but is against this for some reason 🤷‍♀️ now talking about Environmental Science but again is this seen as a 'soft' option?

@perilady83 That is interesting about banking recruitment, would this done for general recruitment or degree apprenticeships?

So careers which aren't banking are casual??

Right....

I’d say there’s probably too much overlap between Geo and Env Science - a bit like doing Econ and Business?

Env Sci is basically Physical Geo and Soc has some crossover w Human Geo

What about Politics?

FWIW, Media A level is an actual A level. Hence its name...

In academia Media is a non-subject? I wonder how the Media and Film Studies lecturers I know feel about that comment…

Media is a growth area. In fact one of THE growth areas. People seem to forget this when they sneer at media studies.

Friends ds did btech and degree in it. Is now a cameraman. However if you’d rather do banking…..🥱

I agree about sociology. Also viewed as 'soft' by certain voices... Great combo with geog and economics though. The other obvious ones are biology and maths.

And , yes, only 10 percent of students get A or A star in media. 2 percent A star.

I have a media degree, an English one, and a master's in sociology. I have a fairly decent job in tech.

My son has chosen English Lit, French and Media - he really enjoyed the Media induction. It's not my choice but I'm happy for him to go with this as he has two other facilitating subjects, plus the way social media has advanced it seems like quite a decent A level to have.

Ds has a masters in sociology. He’s a journalist on the national press now.

Just to say, before the inevitable post arrives - ignore any advice to look at the Cambridge list of preferred subjects, which is only relevant if you want to do a Cambridge degree. (Unless your DD is aiming for Cambridge of course.)