Media Studies Summary

It is vitally important to have a critical understanding of the media as it is all around us and permeates our everyday lives, influencing how we think, behave, see one another and even see ourselves.

In A Level Media Studies you will study the things you no doubt enjoy – pop music, films, TV drama, advertising, newspapers and magazines, video games and social networking/ web 2.0.

Have you ever thought about the issues and debates, the contexts and ideologies at play behind these texts and the representations they offer us? If you want to find out more, learn how to deconstruct the media and become a media producer yourself then this is the course for you.

In studying A Level Media Studies, you will be involved in major projects involving digital, audio visual, moving image production and editing. You will develop the skills so desired by universities and future employers – working both independently on research, theories and concepts and also demonstrating the ability to work collaboratively, creatively, imaginatively, all the while managing your time effectively.

The Media is one of the largest employers of people in the country. Whether you want to direct film or television, or work in advertising, or represent another specialist subject in news or journalism, this subject could be your route to a successful, high-profile career.

Entry Requirements

  • 6x GCSE Grade 4 or higher

Course Duration

2 years full-time

Specification

OCR H409

How you will study

Induction- At the start of the course you will develop the skills necessary to interpret and analyse the media, getting to grips with media terminology, media issues and debates and theoretical perspectives.

Coursework- You will learn how to research and plan effectively for your own cross-media production project and then go on to create your own music video, website, advertising campaign etc. based on your choice from a range of set briefs.

Examinations- For your two A Level exams, you will complete in-depth studies of media industries, including film marketing and distribution, Long Form TV Drama, news, advertising and video games. You will analyse specific examples in depth and create detailed case studies. You will also learn a wide array of terms, explore concepts and media theory which you can then apply in your analyses, discussions and debates.

Component breakdown

Component 1: Exam- Media Messages

Component 2: Exam- Evolving Media

Component 3: Non-Examined Assessment- Media Production Coursework

The knowledge and skills you develop in A Level Media Studies will benefit your work in other subjects and offer a thorough preparation for continued study at university be it in Media or a non-related degree, as well as preparing you for employment or an apprenticeship in any one of the many media industries as a direct route from school.