Media Studies

Why Choose Media Studies?

By the end of the course you will be confident and skilled in a variety of media types; you will have developed your team working and creative skills and created a portfolio of your best work for further study.

Aside from learning how to operate new technologies like video cameras, editing software and photographic equipment you will also:

  • Develop your critical thinking and decision making skills;
  • Begin to analyse key media texts;
  • Use your knowledge to create new and exciting types of media.


What qualification will I gain, and how will I use it?

You’ll earn a single-award GCSE in Media Studies, with the examination board AQA. Our hope is that you will study Media for five hours across two weeks. If you have future ambitions of gaining a career in film-making, magazines, photography or advertising, then studying Media Studies at GCSE will ensure that you have the key skills to pursue your goals.

However, Media will not only equip you for further vocational courses – aspects of Sociology, Politics, Business and History run throughout the course, meaning that a GCSE in Media will offer you a wider set of options if you decide to continue your studies at KS5.


Media 1

What's assessed?

Section A will focus on Media Language and Media Representations. Questions in this section can test any two of the following forms:

  • Magazines
  • Advertising and Marketing
  • Newspapers
  • Online, Social and Participatory Media and Video Games

Section B will focus on Media Industries and Media Audiences. Questions in this section can test any two of the following forms:

  • Radio
  • Music Video
  • Newspapers
  • Online, Social and Participatory Media and Video Games
  • Film (industries only)


How it's assessed?

Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes - 84 marks (35%)

Questions

  • A range of questions relating to an unseen source and Close Study Products.
  • An extended response question (20marks)

 

Media 2

What's assessed?

Section A will be based on a screening from an extract of one of the television Close Study Products and can test any area of the theoretical framework.

Section B will be based on either newspapers or online, social and participatory media and video games and can test any area of the framework.


How it's assessed?

Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes - 84 marks (35%)

Questions

  • Short, medium and extended response questions assessing depth of knowledge and understanding of the course.

 

Non Exam Assessment - Creating a Media Product

What’s assessed?

  • Application of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework
  • Ability to create media products


How it's assessed?

  • A choice of one of five annually changing briefs, set by AQA
  • 60 marks
  • 30% of GCSE
  • Assessed by teachers
  • Moderated by AQA


Tasks - Students Produce

  • A statement of intent
  • A media product for an intended audience