Media studies 'no soft option'

MORE than two-thirds of A-level and BTEC media studies students surveyed by the British Film Institute said that they chose the subject because it was relevant to life.

Over 80 per cent rejected criticisms by some politicians and policy makers that media courses were a "soft option". Some 40,000 questionnaires were sent out and 4,125 returned.

The study found that 56 per cent intend to undertake a media studies course at university, and that more than two-thirds of these plan a career in the media.

Film is the most popular medium, followed by television, newspapers and magazines, multimedia/information technology and radio.