Media studies is an easier subject to pass at A-level than English and history, research by the Government’s exams regulator indicates today.

The first comparison of the demands of various academic subjects, by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), found that some disciplines were “softer” than others.

Researchers analysed A-level papers in English literature, history and media studies.

They found that at both E grade and A grade “the media studies candidates were considered to be less impressive than the English candidates, with history candidates in between”.

The report added: “There was concern that media studies allowed candidates to use prepared materials in some of the assessment activities.”

At AS level (taken after one year) there was little difference between the best candidates. But for those who achieved a pass, “the performance of candidates in media studies was considered to be slightly less secure than that of candidates in English”. Again history came between the two.

The researchers said: “The question of comparability came under the spotlight in August 2003, when the publication of A-level results was accompanied by questions about the possible impact of perceptions of ‘soft’ subjects.

“Two were identified as being of particular concern: psychology and media studies.”

But when they compared psychology, biology and sociology A levels, psychology was seen as the strongest subject in some areas.

The report said: “Psychology was judged to be technically demanding and made use of complex concepts.

“Given that the initial impetus for the work was the suggestion that students were turning away from science to psychology because it was perceived to be the soft option, the study suggests this perception has little basis in fact.”

Sociology exams were potentially very demanding because of the requirement to cite appropriate theories in answers. But the researchers said that there was “concern that non-contextualised, common-sense responses could receive too much credit and that the most popular route through the AS level would give candidates too much opportunity to write uncritically, from their own experience.”

Another comparison, of history and geography at GCSE and A level, found that history was more demanding at the lower level. Analysis of the single sciences, and of double science at GCSE, indicated that chemistry was hardest. Teaching unions said that schools had long known that some subjects were harder than others.

Martin Ward, deputy general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Schools and colleges know that modern foreign languages, mathematics and physical sciences are harder than other subjects.

“Because the harder subjects are the physical sciences, mathematics and modern foreign languages, this situation works to the disadvantage of the country and its future prosperity.”

Jim Knight, Minister for Schools, said: “Comparing different subjects and qualifications with each other is a complex and detailed task. I welcome this report, which shows that the level of demand is broadly comparable across the subjects considered in the studies.”

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