Media Studies A Level

*IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE MARSH ACADEMY FOR SEPTEMBER 2024 APPLICATIONS*

Applications Open: - 24 November 2023

Applications Close: - 24 May 2024

Entry Requirements: - Students wishing to study 3 Level 3 courses will be required to achieve 5+ GCSEs at grade 5 and above including English and Mathematics. However, some subjects have additional requirements in terms of the grades required. The Marsh Academy operates a sliding scale of qualifications which are outlined on the Marsh Academy website. There is scope for students to study 2 Level 3 subjects and also studying some Level 2 subjects. Students who wish to study two subjects must have attained 4+GCSEs at grade 5 or above.

How to Apply: - Please apply via Kent Choices

Open Event: - 23 November 2023 18:00

TV, film, radio, the internet… we’re surrounded by media every single day and the fight for our attention is growing all the time. If you’re interested in how the media shapes our lives and want to create your own productions, this could be the course for you. You’ll spend time analysing the media around us, debating what you find with other students and coming to your own conclusions about the media industry and where it’s heading.

This course aims to develop a critical response to the media by exploring a wide variety of media, drawing on fundamental media concepts and theoretical framework. You will gain an understanding of how media products are constructed; why the producers of a text are important in media industries; how audiences are grouped and targeted, how the digital revolution allows us to become producers ourselves and how the representation of people, places and events is evident in media.

The A level Media Studies course is made up of 3 units.

Component 1 - Media Products, Industries and Audiences (Written exam) 35%

In this section you will study a number of set texts from a range of platforms including advertising and marketing, newspapers, music video, radio and film marketing.

Component 2 - Media Forms and Products in Depth (Written exam) 35%

In this section you will study three areas of media in detail. Television; Social and Participatory Media and Video Games

Component 3 - Cross Media Production (NEA) 30%

This is your opportunity to get creative! In this section you will research, plan and create your own products to meet a brief set by the exam board. Previous students have created music videos, short films, sequences from TV shows, pages from magazines, print marketing for films, TV or music industry, website and more.

Media One: Written exam 2hrs

Media Two: Written exam 2hrs

Non-Examined Assessment: Non-Examined Assessment

Students must achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs grade 5 or above including English.

Due to its relevance in modern society, Media Studies can lead to a range of careers, many of which are still in their infancy but are shaping the world we live in. Students who study Media Studies A Level can move into television and film production, print media and marketing as well as web design, app creation and digital media. This qualification is also a very good facilitating subject which works well with a whole range of other subjects.