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1. UCAS APPLICATION
Josh Eastham

2. Grades

3. GCSEs
School Name Here: Tadcaster Grammar School
Year Subject Grade Awarding Body
2017 English Language 5 AQA
2017 English Literature 5 AQA
2017 Maths 3 AQA
2017 Religious Studies B C AQA
2017 Science C OCR
2017 Additional Science C OCR
2017 Drama C OCR
2017 History C Pearson Edexcel
2017 Creative iMedia
Production
l2M Cambridge Nationals

4. York College Grades
Year Level (GCSE/FS) Subject Grade Awarding
Body
2017-2018 GCSE Maths 2 Edexcel
2017-2019 Level 3 Diploma In
Creative Media
Production &
Technology
Merit/Distinction UAL

5. Final Grade Y1
Grade UCAS Points
PASS 36
MERIT 60
DISTINCTION 84
Final Points Final Grade
60 Merit

6. Final Grade Y2
Grade UCAS Points
PASS 72
MERIT 120
DISTINCTION 168
Final Points Final Grade
120-168 (Depending on final grade) Merit/Distinction
(Unkown since final grade not yet received)

7. Courses

8. University Course
Course Title TELEVISION AND RADIO
BA (HONS)
UCAS Code W431
Link http://www.salford.ac.uk/ug-courses/television-and-radio
Location University of Salford, Media City UK, Manchester
Entry
Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
• English and Maths GCSE grade C
UAL Grade BTEC National Diploma DMM in media production
BTEC Higher National Diploma Media Production or
Performance may be considered for 2nd Year entry. Overall
Merit/Distinction profile required.
UCAS points • 112 - 128 points
General
Comments/
Course Content
On this course, you will learn how to source stories, research ideas and write scripts to produce content for
TV, radio and other media platforms. To help you to do this, you will take part in a series of workshops in
camera skills and editing, radio recording and TV and radio studio production. During your degree, you can
choose to specialise in either TV or radio production and will produce a series of factual, fiction and
entertainment projects within your chosen media.
Rating/Suitability
(0-10> 10 Being
Most Suitable)
10

9. University Course
Course Title TELEVISION PRODUCTION
BA HONOURS
UCAS Code P311
Link http://www.leedstrinity.ac.uk/Courses/UG/20/P311#course-
information
Location Leeds Trinity University
Entry
Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
• grade 4 or higher in English Language.
UAL Grade • "We welcome students with a wide range of
qualifications such as A Levels, BTECs and
accredited Access courses".
UCAS points • 112 UCAS tariff points
General
Comments/
Course Content
• This degree will enable you to develop all the skills you need to devise exciting
ideas, stories and formats and develop them into eye-catching visual media for
a wide range of TV genres and platforms.
Rating/Suitability
(0-10> 10 Being
Most Suitable)
9

10. University Course
Course Title TELEVISION AND BROADCASTING BSC (HONS)
UCAS Code P30C
Link https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/bsc-hons-television-and-
broadcasting
Location University Of Portsmouth
Entry
Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
•English language requirements
•English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS
band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
UAL Grade • A minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent
UCAS points • 112 points
General
Comments/
Course Content
• This BSc (Hons) Television and Broadcasting degree course is an exciting and practical way to
learn how to produce and make live television programmes whilst developing industry-level
skills in media production. You’ll become a multi-skilled, media-savvy broadcaster who's fully
experienced in camera-operating, sound recording, producing, presenting, directing, editing
and writing for media platforms and television.
Rating/Suitability
(0-10> 10 Being
Most Suitable)
8

11. University Course
Course Title BA (Hons) Television Production
UCAS Code W621
Link https://www1.bournemouth.ac.uk/study/courses/ba-hons-
television-production
Location Bournemouth University
Entry
Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
• English and Maths Grade C
UAL Grade • Extended Diploma, Distinction or merit
UCAS points • 112-128
General
Comments/
Course Content
• This course combines a practical professional approach with academic critical and theoretical study of
the media industry. Plus you’ll have access to broadcast-quality resources, new studios and post-
production facilities coming in 2019-20, including a new film studio and two Ultra High Definition
broadcast standard multicamera TV studios. Professional standard resources will also include Sony FS5
and Panasonic AC160/AG371 cameras, SQN sound mixers and Avid edit suites.
Rating/Suitability
(0-10> 10 Being
Most Suitable)
8

12. University Course
Course Title Film, Television and Radio
BA (Hons)
UCAS Code W620
Link http://www.staffs.ac.uk/course/film-television-radio-ba
Location Staffordshire University, Stoke-On-Trent campus
Entry
Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
• Grade C, mathematics and English Language
UAL Grade • A levels: BBC
• BTEC: DMM
UCAS points • 112 points
General
Comments/
Course Content
• This course will give you a solid understanding of the critical and production elements of film and
broadcasting. It is ideal if you want to gain skills in order to work in film, television or radio. You’ll also
be given the opportunity to specialise in an area of the entertainment industry as you progress
through your degree.
Rating/Suitability
(0-10> 10 Being
Most Suitable)
7

13. University Course
Course Title JOURNALISM (BROADCAST)
UCAS Code PP53
Link https://beta.salford.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/journalism-
broadcast
Location University of Salford, Media City UK, Manchester
Entry
Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
• English and Maths grade C
UAL Grade • BTEC National Diploma: DDm
UCAS points • 112-128
General
Comments/
Course Content
• Broadcast journalism is challenging, demanding and exciting work. This practical course will allow you to
experience every aspect of broadcast journalism from writing and directing right down to presenting for
live and recorded audiences. From day one, you will be expected to think and act like a journalist working
in radio and television.
Rating/Suitability
(0-10> 10 Being
Most Suitable)
4

14. University Course
Course Title Film and Media Production with Foundation Year
UCAS Code A035
Link https://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/digital-media/ba-honours-film-
and-media-production-with-foundation-year/full-time/2019
Location Sheffield Hallam University
Entry
Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or
equivalents*
Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
UAL Grade • MMP
UCAS points • 80 Ucas Points
General
Comments/
Course Content
• This course focuses on the practical and critical elements of media production
and filmmaking. Through practice-based learning, we will equip you with the
knowledge and confidence that will enable you to fulfil your potential in the
world of film and media.
Rating/Suitability
(0-10> 10 Being
Most Suitable)
4

15. University Course
Course Title JOURNALISM
UCAS Code P501
Link https://digital.ucas.com/courses/detailscoursePrimaryId=cf67f89
5-4638-a1e2-2d99-5955184518ef&academicYearId=2018
Location Leeds Trinity University
Entry
Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
• English Language at Grade 3 or 4
UAL Grade • "We welcome students with a wide range of qualifications
such as A Levels, BTECs and accredited Access courses".
UCAS points • 112 Ucas Tarrif Points
General
Comments/
Course Content
• You’ll be trained in a wide range of core journalism skills, including interviewing and news writing for
newspapers, online, TV and radio. We’ll explore the key issues in journalism, looking at the past,
present and future of the profession. You’ll also gain a solid understanding of media law and the legal
considerations for journalists, getting the opportunity to visit courts and apply what you have learned
to real-life criminal trials.
Rating/Suitability
(0-10> 10 Being
Most Suitable)
3

16. Personal
Statement
Support in the notes section at the bottom of each slide

17. Introduction
I am applying to university subject that are media related. These range from TV & Radio
Production to various different types of journalism courses. My first choices would be any of
the TV and/or Radio courses with the journalism courses being a secondary interest. I am
applying for these subjects because the course content and the experience they will provide
me with seem like a natural progression from the type of thing I am doing now in college. I
have been interested and passionate for media as a subject and as a career choice for many
years now and I knew as far back as year 9 that I might want to come to college and study
Media Production.
I didn’t actually thing I wanted to go to university until I was half way through my college
course when I realised that as useful as I was finding what I was learning at college I still didn't
feel like I would be ready to go out into the working world once I had finished the course. I
still feel like I needed more experience and training in the subject area. I then started to look
at specific areas and career choices within this industry that interested me as well as
considering what my strength and weaknesses are and what I enjoy and don’t enjoy about
the course I was studying now. This gave me an idea of the type of university courses I would
maybe like to study. Once I started researching them as well as the individual university's
themselves I began to put together a list of the courses I would be interested in. When it
came to actually filling out the UCAS application form I went back to the list as well as doing
more research carefully whittling down my list and carefully deciding on what courses and
university's I liked best. I liked some more then others which is how I ordered my choices as
being my most desired to least desired.

18. Academic History
• I knew I wanted to study some kind of media subject early on in school. When I got to year 9 and it was time to pick
my GCSE options for the following two years I noticed my school offered a course called Creative iMedia Production.
This GCSE class offered a final qualification of a Level 1 or 2 Cambridge national equivalent to one GCSE. I was initially
sceptical of this course as were my parents as there is a common stereotype that media studies is an easy option and
that it doesn’t require much effort. However after researching the course content I discovered that there was a big
difference between media production and media studies, the clue being in the name.
• Media production focuses on practical work on the technical side of producing media content such as print design
work to video work as if we were working with an external clients, we are also assessed on our understanding of the
theory work behind our specific project and we learn how to work out things like logistics as well as fill out certain
legal documents such as health and safety and location release. These are important as they are practical skills and
actually prepare us for a career in different forms of producing media which in this day and age is a very important as
the media is such a modern and big industry. Media studies focuses on the academics of media and involves things
like the history of media as well as the effects of certain content and how things have been portrayed in the media. I
realised that even though my school didn’t offer a Media studies GCSE that by doing Media production I would
actually be learning practical and technical skills necessary for use in a wide verity of media based jobs rather then
studying the academic history of communication media.
• Doing this GCSE course I learned the basics of website design, image design and video editing. We made websites for
fictional clients as well as edited a trailer for a fake movie. Despite this I ended up being a bit disappointed with this
course as yes I was studying subjects that I was interested in however my school didn’t have the money and
resources for us to learn using industry standard equipment. This was something I especially noticed when doing the
video editing part as we were using low end dell computer that were about 10 years old which made things
extremely difficult and frustrating. I really wanted to pursue this subject in further education and get access to higher
end, better hardware so that I could indulge my creative passions. This is why I came to college to do this course and
I'm happy with the way it turned out. I was indeed given the chance to work with better higher end equipment as
well as work on projects I had never done before.

19. Current Study
As for this course it has helped me prepare for university in a variety of ways. I've learned a lot about the practical and
theory side of media as well as new skills that I will no doubt utilise in future projects. I am now familiar with different
techniques, styles, characteristics, techniques and genres of video production. This comes from the experiences I've had
throughout this course producing short films, factual films and working with a client. I believe I have also developed as a
person a lot as well. Projects such as the client one were I had to actively go out and find a client and create a working
professional relationship with them defiantly helped my confidence when it came to social skills and communicating
effectively with other people. Practically I've become much more familiar with professional grade software such as
Photoshop, Premier Pro and after effects. I am now able to confidently use this software for production without any
input or help from others. This is also the case for hardware as well as I now have experience operating professional
equipment such as Cameras, tripods and microphones.
In terms of the theory side the lectures that we had in second year taught me a lot about the history of media and film
as well as how to analyse certain aspects of a product specifically films. Learning how to correctly research into existing
conventions, styles and techniques was also something that helped significantly as I would look at how professional
projects were made and the techniques they used then try and emulate those techniques in my project which in turn
made it look more professional. This type of thing helped enormously when it came to the projects in which I produced
short films especially my year 2 final major project which happens to be the highest quality piece of work I've ever
produced. As for my research learned how to confidently and correctly reference my sources and put them into a
bibliography which made my work and research much more credible.
It was because I enjoyed this course so much and everything that I've learned in it that I want to progress to a higher
level and to study further. I also feel that not only do I want to it is necessary especially if I want to end up in a high
position within this industry which is so competitive. Therefore I will need to be not only highly qualified but also have a
higher level of experience then I've got from college. Doing this course has also provided me with an idea of what area
of the industry I want to go into. That area is TV & Radio which is why I am going to study that subject at university. Since
it is a different subject area of the media the course content will be different and I will be learning new things whilst
utilising the skills I've learned at college. In effect this college course has prepared me with the skills I need to progress
along my chosen career path.

20. The Future
As for the future I would like to work in the TV or Radio industry in some areas. I'm not yet sure if it will be TV or Radio
and I'm hoping my university course will help me decide on this as I will be studying subjects. Throughout this course I
would like to try my hand at different roles within the industry such as presenting, directing, technical or producing. This
will then give me a broad idea of what my strengths and weaknesses are and as a result what I should pursue later on in
life. Ideally I would like to have a job that not only pays well but allows me to utilize me skills to there full potential.
Going to university can help me achieve that in several ways. My first choice university is Salford which is located in
Media City UK which is probably the best place to be studying for this subject. The reason I say this is because the
university is right next to BBC and ITV studios and as a result has a very close working relationship with them. This is a
fantastic way to not only create opportunity but to meet well known already established people that could open doors
for you or provide contacts. It also looks good on future Job applications if you can say that you've been working with
and around people in the industry for the past 3 years.
My seconds choice university is Leeds Trinity and that also has the advantage of being very close to ITV studios in Leeds
and as a result they too have a very close working relationship with them. Leeds Trinity also have a very good work
placement scheme for students that is very successful in getting students set up in the industry. One thing that I could
use to my advantage is the internet and social media. We live in an age were it is very easy to establish yourself as an
independent because of this. If I build up a good enough public portfolio and persona then that could go along way to
getting me recognised. Of course to do this you have to have the resources which can often be very expensive.
Fortunately I will have access to via the university as they could be able to provide the hardware and software necessary
to make this happen.
Its also not just about the university's individually. Even with assistance from the university it can be difficult to get a job
once you've graduated. However once you do and you've got a foot in the door, your in. The primary reason I'm going to
university is to study my chosen course. It is the course content that will provide me with the knowledge and skills
needed to prove myself a worthy candidate on any job application. If I'm able to demonstrate that I've not only got the
knowledge and the skills they are looking for as well as the determination, drive and passion then they are more likely to
hire me with a degree then without a degree. This is why to me going to university is worth it and I believe it will help
me significantly with my future.

21. Outside College
In my own time I've often done work outside of my college course that helps improve upon my skills
that I have learned. I live in an area were it is difficult to get a part time job as there is rarely anything
available so I find it important to keep myself busy and productive whenever possible. Last year I did
some paid editing work for a friends YouTube Channel as this person wanted a title sequance making
for there channel but did not have the skills they needed nor the time to make something proffesional
in Premier Pro. In a day I was able to create a title sequance for this person whilst closely following a
brief they had set. They were very pleased with the final product and I got paid £20 for it.
Speaking of YouTube I myself have had a go at producing video's for it on numerous occasions. These
videos were usually gaming videos. It started of as a passion hobby however the amount of time andc
energy I put into producing these videos started effecting other things such as schoolwork and the
amount of time I spent socialising with family and friends as I was unable to manage a balance
between the two. The other thing was those videos wearn't really getting any attention and so I was
getting nothing back from the effort I was putting in which kind of made it difficult to continue. I still
produce YouTube videos today but only because I use YouTube as a hosting platform for various
projects both personal and college related.
I would say all of this makes me a better candidate for university study as the work I do outside of
college has not only been a precursor but an extension and a hobby of the work I do inside college. I
like making things. Seeing the finished product and being pleased with it only pushes my drive harder
which is why I want to go onto university and stufy this subject further. I want to create bigger and
better things and learn my craft more. Because I am so interested and passionate in the work I do,
often it doesn’t feel like work which is good as it means I am constantly motivated to do better each
time.

22. Conclusion
To summarise I want to go to university because it will allow me to continue learning about
a subject and further hone my skills in an industry that I have a lot of passion for. I am
confident that It will help me achieve my long term career goals not only because of what I
will learn but because of the opportunities that having a degree will give me.
I would say I am a good candidate because I'm passionate about the subject and I have a
lot of self taught knowledge combined with the knowledge that I have learned from
studying this course. This means that I already have some experience working within the
subject both practical and theoretical. These skills will no doubt be very useful in the future
especially my practical skills as when it comes to actually producing projects that involve
these skills I would have a head start on those that haven't studied this subject before. This
would be because I've done similar work before and I could use that knowledge as a base
to build upon.