Media Studies
A Level
COURSE OVERVIEW
Year 1 – Media Messages
Section A – News. An in-depth study of contemporary news in the UK.
Section B – Media Language and Representation. Exploring representation through advertising, marketing and music videos.
Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) component: students will research, plan, produce and document an independent media production in response to a set OCR brief (for example: creating a blog, website and print-based pages for a new magazine; producing a music video and promotional website).
Year 2 – Evolving Media
Section A – Media Industries and Audiences. Learners will explore media industries and audiences through media products such as radio, film and video games.
Section B – Long Form Television Drama. Learners will engage in an in-depth study of television as an evolving global media form.
Curriculum:
As a student of A Level Media Studies you will develop your intellectual, critical and creative responses to a varied and challenging curriculum.
You will study a wide range of media industries, audiences, texts, contexts and representations, deepening your engagement with the media and your understanding of how it impacts on the way we think and act.
Through focused discussion, independent research, extended study of case study texts and regular written assessment, you will demonstrate a developing understanding of various media forms: online and printbased newspapers, magazines, advertising, music videos, computer gaming, radio, film and television. Production coursework will enable you to develop and enhance your production skills, creating a blog, website and media product to a professional standard.
Your knowledge of key concepts, terminology, current issues and debates will grow as you progress through the 2-year course. You will be a media consumer, critic and producer.
Progression
University degrees in media production, cultural studies or english. It will also be very useful for going on to study other creative/practical courses like photography or graphic design and courses such as business studies and marketing.
Careers
Media production; camera person; director; editor; advertising; marketing or PR.
Additional Entry Requirements
GCSE English – Grade 4 and, if studied, grade 4 in GCSE Media Studies.
Assessment
70% Exam (Paper 1 – 32.5%, Paper 2 – 37.5%) – externally assessed.
30% Non-Exam Assessment – teacher assessed.
Opportunities for work related activities
These will consist of visits to media industry sites, primarily in Bristol and London; links with the BBC and BFI; Q&A sessions with industry professionals. cinema trips to the Watershed and other venues in Bristol.
