Media Studies

GCSE Media can be taken as an option subject at KS4. The subject is particularly liked by students due to its relevance to their lives. There are many opportunities it provides for exploring contemporary issues through the use of different media in creative and practical ways. Students study a range of media texts from advertising and marketing, the music and film industry to the print industry and explore a wide range of media platforms. The course comprises both an exam and practical element. The NEA (non-exam assessment) element requires students to apply their knowledge and understanding of media language and representations to create a media product using one of the following forms: television, music video, radio, newspapers, magazines, advertising/marketing, online, social and participatory media, or video games.

How is this course assessed?

Paper 1: Questions will focus on three areas of the theoretical framework: industries, audiences and representation. There will be a balanced approach to these three areas of the theoretical framework in that Section A will focus on industries and audiences, whilst Section B will deal with representations.

How it’s assessed?

Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
84 marks
35% of GCSE

Paper 2:

What’s assessed?

Questions will focus on media language and contexts of the media.
Students will be expected to analyse media products both in relation to the theoretical framework and their contexts.
Section A will focus on language and Section B will focus on contexts.

How it’s assessed.

Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
84 marks – 35% of GCSE

30% of GCSE
Assessed by teachers
Moderated by AQA.

Non-exam assessment: creating a media product

What’s assessed?

Application of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework.
Practical skills relating to the media format of their choice.

How it’s assessed

A choice of topics related to the over-arching (annually changing) theme
72 marks – 30% of GCSE – Assessed by teachers – Moderated by AQA.

A Level Media Studies

This is a hugely popular course and builds on nicely from the GCSE Media course, although having a GCSE in Media is not an essential to achieving success at A level.

AQA’s A-level Media Studies specification is designed to encourage candidates to:

Enhance their enjoyment and appreciation of the media and its role in their daily lives
Develop critical understanding of the media through engagement with media products and concepts and through the creative application of practical skills
Explore production processes, technologies and other relevant contexts
Become independent in research skills and their application in their practical work and in developing their own views and interpretations.

At AS, candidates investigate the media in order to understand and evaluate how meanings and responses are created. The contemporary media landscape and its changing contexts are studied in terms of products, platforms and technologies:

Unit 1: Investigating Media -50% of AS, 25% of A Level 2-hour written examination 80 marks
Unit 2: Creating Media. -50% of AS, 25% of A Level Practical unit, internally assessed and externally moderated 80 marks Externally set production briefs.

At A2, candidates are encouraged to demonstrate, develop and formulate their understanding of the media and its influential role in today’s society as well as debating major contemporary media issues:

Unit 3: Critical Perspectives – 25% of A Level

2 hour written examination

Unit 4: Media: Research and Production.

25% of A Level

Practical unit, internally assessed and externally moderated

80 marks

Please follow this link if you wish to find more information with regard to the specifications www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/media-studies