AS/A Level Media Studies
- Graig Campus
‘Everything means something. We just need to find out how to read it’ – Phillip Pullman
In today’s digital age, media studies is enormously useful in encountering, analysing and understanding the impacts of the modern mass media. It primarily attracts students who want to:
- Interpret the media world around them
- Create their own media productions
- Grow their understanding of media products
- Build their careers in media related industries
We offer all media students the opportunity to take part in external Trips, Talks and Opportunities, such as the college’s award-winning Film Club. These add enormously to the learners’ experience and ability to apply their experiences to their learning: enhancing understanding and raising potential.
Course details
- Full time
- Face-to-Face
Admin Fee: £25
What you will learn
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Programme Features
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Programme content
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Progression and employment
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Method of assessment
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Entry requirements
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Additional costs
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Why Study Media?
- Learners are exposed to a range of Media Texts, both print-based and audio-visual
- Teaching staff exhibit high level of expertise in media/film
- Range of both examination and coursework based assessment
- Provides a sound basis for progression into higher education
- Increases understanding of the world in which we live
- Provides opportunity to develop practice-based skills
- Offers a creative and dynamic learning experience
AS Level
Unit 1: Investigating the media
Here we study the three media industries you encounter in your first year:
- Selling Images – Advertising and Music Video
- News in the Online Age
- Film Industries – from Wales to Hollywood
We’ll look at a range of texts from each of these areas, covering aspects such as genre, industry, narrative, audience theory and representational issues.
Assessment
Written examination in May (24% of final A Level)
Unit 2: Creating a media production
Here you will put the knowledge and theory developed in Unit 1 into practice. Choosing from a range of briefs, you will research, plan, create and evaluate a media product of your own devising.
Example Briefs
- Film the opening of a horror movie
- Creating a marketing campaign for a teen Rom-Com
- Developing and marketing a cosmetic product
- Plan and shoot a music video
Assessment
Coursework: Research, Planning, Product, Review (16% of final A Level)
A2 Level
Unit 3: Media in the global age
Unit 4: Creating a cross-media production
Career pathways open to media students include progression onto University media courses for journalism, screenwriting, production, directing, advanced media Studies, advertising and much, much more. Additionally, media Studies is an excellent accompaniment for those pursuing pathways related to English, history, politics, law and psychology.
AS Level:
Unit 1: written examination (24% of final A Level)
Unit 2: Coursework (16% of final A Level)
A2 Level:
Unit 3: controlled assessment in June (36% of final A Level)
Unit 4: Cross-media production project: (24% of final A Level)
A minimum of six GCSEs at grades A*-C To include: GCSE English Language and/or GCSE Media Studies at a B grade or above. GCSE Mathematics at a C grade or above. Students who have not taken GCSE Media Studies but have a high level of ability in related subjects will be considered for entry.
All learners are required to pay an administration fee of £25 prior to enrolment.
You will need to provide your own stationery and may also incur costs if the department arranges educational visits.
To Interpret Your World: We use media to create our view of the world (think about your favourite film - usually we are attracted to films that reflect how we would like the world to be). However, from news stories to advertisements to video games, we are using the creations of other people to enhance our understanding and enjoyment of the world. Might it not be a good idea to better understand how these things are made, how meaning is built into them, and how they communicate values beyond what we recognise on the surface.
To Grow: Media Studies is infinitely fascinating and it allows you to spend time with the things you’re already passionate about. Additionally, it exposes you to a huge range of theory and material that you will not have encountered before.
To Study: Media Studies is also to study aspects of Sociology, Philosophy, Political Science and Visual Arts. Media Studies skills are hugely transferable to other A level subjects, including Law, English, Photography, History and IT. To Create: The Media Industry is a huge growth industry in Wales and beyond. You’ll learn the basics of planning, preparing and creating media products here!
To Build Your Career: Regardless of what you would like to go on to do, knowledge in effectively using social media, Photoshop, video editing, and the writing and analytical skills you will develop through the course will only make your CV stronger.