Since Media Studies is trending, I may as well mention that it was something I learned in my AS-Level Media Studies that almost certainly got me into Oxford.

When I was identified as an Oxbridge candidate, I was told Media Studies was a ‘blacklisted’ subject and I should take something more traditional.

Theology was recommended. I wasn't interested – I felt Media Studies would be more useful for a career in arts/media.

Such was the belief that Oxford would essentially auto-reject me on the grounds of having done Media Studies, a teacher changed my application for my AS-Level courses, replacing it with Theology.

Digging my heels in, I changed it back.

Media Studies did have its difficulties. It involved a group coursework piece that ended up denting all of our grades, as the teacher gave us a C (without having given any indication that we would get less than an A).

But I also learned about narrative theory.

Specifically, I learned about the work of the Soviet folklorist Vladimir Propp, who analysed the morphology of fairytales.

Guess what happened at my first interview at Oxford for English Language & Literature?

I was asked to analyse a fairytale.

Immediately I was at ease. Couldn't believe my luck. I spoke fluently and passionately about Proppian narratology and character archetypes, clearly impressing the tutors interviewing me.

My other interviews were shakier, so I can only assume it was that one that got me in.

So that's how a state school kid got into Oxford based on listening in Media Studies. I would have been lost in that interview if I hadn't.

Also, perhaps don't sneer at kids who take Media Studies in a world where we urgently need to study and critique the media we consume.