Why study A-level Media Studies?

This course is designed to facilitate students’ understanding of how information is manipulated, packaged and presented by the media. It enables students to become media literate and provides the skills for critical analysis of media texts, as well as providing students with a thorough grounding in cultural theory. These theories will often ‘cross over’ into other academic disciplines such as politics, sociology and psychology.

It is important to stress that the course is a theory – based course and is unsuitable for those students wishing to pursue creative or practical media work.

What are the careers or further education that this course be suitable for?

Whilst not providing a direct means of entry into the media industry, Media Studies A-level does offer an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills which are an important aspect of work in most institutions in an information society. This qualification should, therefore, be of value to candidates entering employment across a wide range of industries and professions. In addition, the concepts dealt with in this course provide the basis for most degree courses in Media Studies and other related subjects.

Key Information Summary:

Course Details:

Students will be required to:

• understand the ‘theoretical framework’ which underpins the course; this consists of four elements – Media Language, Industries, Audiences and Representations
• apply the framework to a detailed study of a wide range of media texts prescribed by the examination board, as well as their wider social, political and institutional contexts.
• engage in a comparative critical analysis of media texts
• construct practical pieces of media according to a given brief (stipulated by the examination board)

Course Assessment

The course is a linear course; students will be examined at the end of Year 13 to complete the full A-level qualification.

The course is assessed via two examinations which make up 35% each of the final grade, plus one non- examined component, which accounts for the final 30% of the final grade.