Media Studies

You do not need to have taken Media Studies GCSE but a good level of written English (at least a grade C at G.C.S.E. English) and a strong interest in both the production and consumption of a range of media is essential.

We follow the new OCR specification.

There are 2 Modules at AS Level:

Module 1: Foundation Portfolio in Media

This module will teach you how to plan, produce and post produce a sequence from a film. You will learn to shoot, edit, create a soundtrack, use special effects and make-up, find locations, cast actors, storyboard and test screen your work.

You will be assessed on your technical skills, your understanding of the conventions of a specific genre and how well you work within a group, if your film is very good it may win a prize at our media awards event at the end of the year!

Module 2: Key Media Concepts

This module will be spilt into two parts and assessed by a 2 hour exam

Part One Textual Analysis: TV Drama - We will explore a wide range of TV Dramas including Spooks, Sugar Rush, Holby City, and Hustle. We will analyse the technical construction of these programmes and consider how they represent a wide range of social groups.

Part Two Institutions and Audiences - Here you will develop your knowledge of the Music industry and look at how companies produce, market and sell music to specific audiences – including you. We consider the ways in which technical developments, such as music downloading, have changed the music industry and how companies are responding to these changes.

AS & A2 Media Studies can be taken with Film Studies – universities are happy to accept both subjects.

If you choose to continue the course at A2 level you will take a further two units:

Module 3: Advanced Portfolio

This unit will allow you to further develop the practical skills you gained on the AS course. Working in groups you will produce a promotional package for the release of an album. This will include a music video, a website homepage and a DVD cover.

You will need to consider the purpose of these products, who the audience for them is, how you market a band and sell their music. You will, once again, work in groups and your final grade will depend on the technical quality of your work, your planning and research and your analysis of the work produced.

Module 4: Critical Perspectives

This module will be assessed by a 2 hour exam

The purpose of this unit is to assess your understanding of media concepts, contexts and critical debates. You will explore and debate a wide range of ideas & theories including: genre, narrative, representation, audience. We will also consider the ways in which the media is constantly evolving and analyse the challenges that new media hold for regulating bodies, “we media”, postmodernism, globalisation and the media & collective identity.

What are the results like and where do students go afterwards?

Results are excellent – 99% A-E at AS level and 85% A-C & 100% A-E and 90% A-C at A2 level last year for example. The students’ practical work achieves particularly high marks. But you need to have a variety of technical and analytical skills and imagination, creativity and the ability to evaluate - to achieve a high grade. You can look at results for the past 3 years on our website.

Students go on to a variety of university courses, including Media Studies, Film Studies, Media & Film Production, Journalism, Advertising & Marketing, Games Design, English Literature, Psychology, Modern Languages and Economics. Many of those who study Media related courses do so at top rated universities such as Bournemouth, Ravensbourne & Sheffield Hallam. Students are encouraged to look for work experience and enter their own in work in local short film festivals such as “Bang”.