Subject Pages
Media Studies
You are probably unaware that you have been revising for Media Studies since someone first switched on CBeebies for you or you were pushed past an advertisement at the bus stop on the way to nursery.
Media Studies is about understanding the world around you. Not the world of the past, or a hypothetical, fictitious version of the world but the very world with which you engage every day. Whether it is Social Media, Gaming, Advertising, Film, TV or Radio you will explore how these media forms are created, who they are created for, who they are created by and how they represent you and everyone else in the world.
You may discover that everything you thought you knew was wrong, you may find that you can never use Social Media in the same way again. You will hopefully find that the course opens your eyes up to a new, more positive way of thinking and seeing the world around you.
Staffing
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Head of Department |
Mr D Freear |
| Teachers |
Miss F Moyse |
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Prefects
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Liv Hannah Lily Katy |
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Ambassadors
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AJ Y10 Keona Y10 |
Key Stage 4
Content
GCSE Media Studies engages students in the in depth study of media products in relation to the four areas of the theoretical framework:
- Media Language
- Media Representation
- Media Industries
- Media Audiences.
Students are required to study media products from all of the following media forms:
- Television
- Film
- Radio
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Advertising and Marketing
- Online, Social and Participatory Media
- Video Games
- Music Video
Assessment, Marking and Feedback
Section A will focus on Media Language and Media Representations. Questions in this section can test any two of the following forms:
- magazines
- advertising and marketing
- newspapers
- online, social and participatory media and video games
Section B will focus on Media Industries and Media Audiences. Questions in this section can test any two of the following forms:
- radio
- music video
- newspapers
- online, social and participatory media and video games
- film (industries only).
How it's assessed
- Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 84 marks
35% of GCSE
Media Two
What's assessed
Section A will be based on a screening from an extract of one of the television Close Study Products and can test any area of the theoretical framework.
Section B will be based on either newspapers or online, social and participatory media and video games and can test any area of the framework.
How it's assessed
- Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 84 marks
- 35% of GCSE
Questions
- Short, medium and extended response questions assessing depth of knowledge and understanding of the course.
Non-exam assessment: creating a media product
What's assessed
- Application of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework.
- Ability to create media products.
How it's assessed
- A choice of one of five annually changing briefs, set by AQA.
- 60 marks
- 30% of GCSE
- Assessed by teachers
- Moderated by AQA.
Tasks
Students produce:
- a statement of intent
- a media product for an intended audience.
Questions
A range of questions relating to an unseen source and Close Study Products.
An extended response question (20 marks).
Specification
A Level
A Level Media Studies engages students in the in-depth study of media products in relation to the four areas of the theoretical framework:
- Media Language
- Media Representation
- Media Industries
- Media Audiences
Students are required to study media products from all of the following media forms:
- Television
- Film
- Radio
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Advertising and Marketing
- Online, Social and Participatory Media
- Video Games
- Music Video
Assessments
What's assessed
Section A will focus on Media Language and Media Representations. Questions in this section can test any two of the following forms:
- magazines
- advertising and marketing
- newspapers
- online, social and participatory media and video games.
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Section B will focus on Media Industries and Media Audiences. Questions in this section can test any two of the following forms:
- radio
- music video
- newspapers
- online, social and participatory media and video games
- film (industries only).
How it's assessed
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 84 marks
35% of A-level
Questions
- A range of questions relating to an unseen source and Close Study Products.
- Two essay questions (20 marks), one of which is an extended response question.
What's assessed
Questions will focus on the in-depth media forms of television, magazines and online, social and participatory media/video games
How it's assessed
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 84 marks
- 35% of A-level
Questions
One medium length unseen analysis question.
Three essay questions (25 marks), one of which is an extended response question and one of which is a synoptic question.
What's assessed
Application of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework.
Ability to create media products
How it's assessed
- A choice of one of six annually changing briefs, set by AQA.
- 60 marks
- 30% of A-level
- Assessed by teachers
Moderated by AQA
Tasks
Students produce:
a statement of intent
a cross-media production made for an intended audience.
Moderated by AQA.
Specification
AQA A Level Media Studies Specification
Reach Stars
Exam Support
Past papers
GCSE: Sample Assessment Papers & Specimen Material
A Level: Sample Assessment Materials & Specimen Papers
Useful external links
Careers
Potential careers
A job in the media or film industries is a popular career choice among graduates, all major companies and industries rely on an understanding of or utilise the power of the mainstream media. There are jobs for which Media is directly beneficial such as:
There are jobs for which Media is directly beneficial such as:
- Media planner
- Multimedia specialist
- Programme researcher, broadcasting/film/video
- Public relations officer
- Runner, broadcasting/film/video
- Social media manager
- Television/film/video producer
And a secondary set of jobs whereby knowledge of Media Studies would be recommended:
- Advertising account executive
- Broadcast journalist
- Editorial assistant
- Event manager
- Information officer
- Magazine journalist
- Market researcher
- UX designer
- Writer
Media Studies students also find plenty of opportunities in the broader market, including publishing, marketing, advertising, law and teaching.
Further careers information can be found here.