Overview

Media Studies IS when you look at different types of Media; e.g. magazines, newspapers, social media, adverts, music videos, video games and many more. However, it is not just watching films. You will need to be able to :

• look for information in these Media products and look for meanings and denotations. 

• Follow the rules and codes about making professional quality media products.

• Experimenting with making Media Products.

• Evaluating your own Media Products and working out what makes them good and how to improve. 

Skills required:

You will be required to analyse and interpret different forms of media and be able to write in detail about them. Therefore, a flair and enjoyment for different media types would be useful.

Careers:

There are many career opportunities in the media industry. Some are listed below:

Camera Operator, Journalist, Production Assistant, Producer, Social Media Manager, Director

Topics covered

Media is a contemporary and interactive subject which encourages students to develop their creative, analytical, research, and communication skills, through exploring a range of media forms and perspectives. You will study a wide variety of media products from TV and film through to online and social media,

There are four main topic areas:

• media language

• media representation

• media industries

• media audiences.

Assessments

Over the course of your GCSE you will complete Close Study Products (CSPs) on a wide range of different media forms. The content of which will change each year. These will support your NEA as well as your written examinations.

• Media One. This is an examined unit which focusses on Media language and representations.

• Media Two: This is an examined unit based on a screening from an extract of one of the close study products.

•  Non- exam assessment

You will complete an NEA unit (controlled assessment) where you will create a media product using one of the following forms:  television, music video, radio, newspapers, magazines, advertising/marketing, online, social and participatory media and video games

FAQs

How am I assessed in Media Studies?

All students will sit two exams in Media Studies and these take place at the end of Y11. In addition to two exams, all students produce a Non Exam Assessment (NEA) that is worth 30% of the total GCSE qualification. This can be started in Year 10 but is always submitted in the spring term of Year 11. We follow the AQA exam course. 

What are Close Study Products (CSPs) in Media Studies?

Close Study Products are like ‘set texts’ for the two final exams. They encourage students to closely analyse and compare different media products in relation to social, cultural, historical and political contexts. 

What are the key areas of study?

At the core of Media Studies lies a theoretical framework which consists of 4 key areas of study: 

• Media Language

• Representation

• Audience

• Industries