| Key Stage | Qualification | Course Code | Exam Board |
| KS4 | GCSE | ||
| KS5 | A Level | EDUQAS Media Studies | Eduqas |
Years 10 & 11
Media is the tool we use to communicate with, educate and entertain each other. This involves many things, including films, television, magazines, video games, newspapers, the internet and radio.
In this subject you will learn to understand and explain these things. You will also learn to produce them yourself.
This would be a great option for a student who is curious and interested in the wider world. It would also be great for someone who enjoys debates, discussions and new ideas. It would also be great for someone who is interested in culture or politics.
Theory – This is 70% of the course, and will be the majority of your time in class.
At the end of the GCSE there will be two 90-minute exams.
You will learn about all different media aspects of media products: who produces them, what messages they send, how they are made, and what effect they have on our society.
In each area of media, there will also be a set product which you will study in detail. In the exam you will be writing an essay about this product.
For example, if you had been studying television, and the set text was an episode of the television of the crime drama Luther, then you might need to answer one of these questions:
- How does Luther fit into the crime drama genre? Is it similar or different to other examples?
- How are female characters depicted in Luther?
- How does Luther use media language (camera, sound, editing, lighting) to create an
effect on the audience? - How was Luther funded, and how can this be seen in the finished product?
Practical – This is 30% of the course, and will be the minority of your time in class.
You will learn to develop and produce an effective piece of media, in planning and execution. Over the three years you will learn produce a range of different genres, including music videos, magazines covers and sections of a television programme.
You will develop your own technical production skills, including camera work, video editing, sound recording and lighting.
When you are finished, you will produce written reports on your work, explaining the decisions you made and why you made them.
Sixth Form
| Component | Assessment | ||
| Component 1: Media Products, Industries and Audiences A: Analysing Media Language and Representation B: Understanding Media Industries and Audiences | Written exam, 2 hours 15 minutes 35% of A Level | ||
| Component 2: Media Forms and Products in Depth A: Television in the global Age B: Magazines – mainstream and alternative media C: Media in the online age | Written exam, 2 hours 30 minutes 35% of A Level | ||
| Component 3: Cross Media Production Individual assessment | Non exam assessment 30% of A Level |
