Media Studies A Level

The media play a central role in contemporary culture, society and politics. They shape our perceptions of the world through the representations, ideas and points of view they offer. The nature of the contemporary media, ongoing technological developments and more opportunities to interact with the media suggest their centrality in contemporary life can only increase jobs available in this industry, which already employs large numbers of people.

This A Level offers the opportunity to develop an informed understanding of these key issues, using a comprehensive theoretical framework and key theories to support critical exploration, analysis and debate.

Students study a range of media forms in terms of a theoretical framework in Year 1, which consists of media language, representation, media industries and audiences. The following are studied: newspapers, magazines, television, online, social and participatory media, advertising and marketing, film, music video, radio and video games. The coursework unit includes an individual media production based on two forms in response to a brief set by the exam board.

The second year includes an in-depth study of media forms and products including: television in the global age, magazines, mainstream and alternative media, and media in the online age. The coursework unit includes an individual cross-media production based on two forms in response to a choice of brief set by the exam board.

The course is 70% exam and 30% coursework.

At least five GCSEs graded 9-4.

Media Studies leads to a wide range of humanities and arts courses at university and might prove useful as a stepping stone to a media career or as a route into teaching.