If I want to be a Journalist, would it be better to study English or Media Studies at Uni?

Question

I heard that in order to become a Journalist, then the best thing for me to do is to study an English degree at University. Does anyone know if i can only study Media Studies rather than English?

Answer 1

You could. I don't really know which is better but I would say perhaps English would be more useful because it focusses on writing and language. Why not journalism? Or journalism combined with something else could be good.

Answer 2

English

Media Studies is regarded as a 'soft option' by many

Answer 3

I suggest you need to do your English before media if you're going to be a successful journalist.

Answer 4

You could probably choose from a wide range of humanities or social science degrees which combine in equal weighting with journalism  (i.e. a joint honours degree where the subjects are denoted as, for example, English AND Journalism).

Alternatively take a combination where Journalism is the MINOR subject, accounting for approx one third of the overall content or a MAJOR subject which usually carries two-thirds weighting for the overall degree. Major/minor degree listings place the major subject first and the minor subject second, separated by the word 'with' (e.g. Journalism with Politics or Environmental Studies with Journalism.

To see possible options, visit the UCAS website or the Hotcourses site (Google should raise either of these for you). Remember to check carefully to see the modular outline of the degree in question - only by so doing can you make a sound judgement about its suitability.

An alternative to degree or postgrduate studies may lie in taking an NVQ level 4 in Journalism ( you may need to start at a lower level depending on your previous experience and history of published work) Check to see if these are offered at your local Further Education Colleges.

Conduct your own research by talking to editors/personnel managers in local press, radio and TV offices - ask if they insist on degree level qualifications or if they are equally happy to consider applicants who have come through the real-life experience + NVQ 4 route.

It is not necessarily true that an English degree is the best preparation for a career in Journalism; it is only one of many routes. Take a look at the careers advice for a variety of related careers at: http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/help...  

Answer 5

Media

Answer 6

Definitely English the problem with Media is that then you are limited to to Media alone and it would be a waste as its hard to get into whereas with English you can still branch out! Although you could do English and then take a media module if your university allows you letting you have a bit of both or you could combine your degree too.  

Answer 7

I would do a degree in English. Otherwise I think a degree in communications, journalism, political science would be better than media studies.

Answer 8

Chosing media studies for one of my options to go into year 10 is one of the best choices i have ever made in my life.

All we do in lessons is just watch DVD's and make comics, what more could you wan't in school.