A Level Media Studies

Please apply via PS16. Any applications received by 31/1/25 are guaranteed an interview in February - April 2025, as long as minimum entry requirements are met. Offers are made after interview.

Component 1 (35% of A-level): You will study a range of media including Advertising, Newspapers, Music Videos, the Film Industry, Radio and Video games. You will investigate media concepts such as how media language is used to construct representations of gender, ethnicity and realities; how contexts influence our understanding of the media and how media industries target audiences.

Component 2 (35% of A Level): You will study three media industries in depth: Television, Magazines and Websites (including Social Media). You will investigate six case studies across all media concepts.

Component 3 (30% of A Level): You will create a cross-media production consisting of two products (e.g. TV show sequence and website) from a choice of 8 briefs across 4 different media industries. All work is individual, all images and footage needs to be created by you (except for industry logos etc.).

This course will be taught in a group with a teacher. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions, creative projects as well as written work such as essays and research projects. Good Media students find the course challenging because it involves them in something that is both creative and academically rigorous.

Component 1 is assessed by a 2 ¼ hour exam. Component 2 is assessed by a 2 ½ hour exam. Component 3 is NEA coursework.

NEA deadlines:

- Research, planning & Statement of Aims & Intentions – end of Summer term yr 12

- 1st draft of Production: December yr13

- Final production: February yr13

GCSE Grade 5 in Media or Film Studies. If you have not studied this subject at GCSE level you will need GCSE Grade 5 in English Language or English Literature.

All universities and degree- awarding institutions recognise Media Studies A-level as a valid qualification. The transferable skills gained through the course are valuable in a wide range of careers including journalism, TV & radio production and web design; you will develop a problem solving approach to your learning, and a capacity to deal with challenging situations as well as building a sound knowledge and understanding of the subject that will be relevant to a whole range of studies.