GCSE Media Studies

Reasons to take media

Media studies is a modern and interactive subject that develops your creative, analytical, research, and communication skills through a range of media forms. In the four years that we have run this course, more and more students have decided to take it up as part of our options offer. 

On this course you will engage with modern and relevant media such as music videos, TV programmes, magazines, newspapers, social media, websites and marketing/advertising. If you enjoy engaging with media, you’ll enjoy this course. 

You will develop skills that will enhance your performance in other subjects, in particular English language. 

Course content

• You will learn about media language and media representations (how the media reflects society and how it influences audiences) as well as understanding more about the industry behind a range of media products. You will explore how audiences are at the heart of the media, and how audiences increasingly speak back to media producers, determining what is and isn't shown.

• You will closely study a range of exciting media products that are modern and interesting (TV crime drama, computer games, music videos, print media etc) as well as learning to apply theory and context to your analysis. 

• You will complete a piece of coursework which contributes 30% to your final grade. You'll apply your leaning on the course to the creation of your own magazine, following a brief such as one you'd get in the real world.

Future career/progression possibilities

There’s no doubt that a GCSE in Media Studies opens doors. The GCSE can lead to the A Level, which in turn leads many students to progress to university on media related courses, successfully applying for courses such as TV and film, marketing, advertising, graphics, IT, Digital Media, Media Production, Journalism, Public Relations, Business and Management to name a few.  

The skills taught in media enhance performance in other subjects, and due to the engaging nature of the material, a keen and interested student has the potential to achieve strong grades which will aid progression into any chosen path of further study.