Exam Board: AQA
Level: 2 

Course Overview

This course consists of a controlled assessment (30%) and examinations (70%), both of which take place in the final year of study. GCSE Media Studies offers an extensive and meaningful coverage of media theory and practice with practical work which integrates theories and concepts across a broad range of media including television, film, internet and advertising. It gives pupils opportunities to learn about real media products and industries and impact on audiences and consumers.

Assessment: 70% examination, 30% controlled assessment.

Exam Board: AQA
Level: 3

Course Overview

An excellent choice for pupils wishing to continue their study of media from GCSE level, or for pupils who are interested in the subject and possibly pursuing a career in the media industry. This two-year course will include a controlled assessment in which pupils will create a media product (30%) and two exams which will assess their knowledge and understanding of media language, audiences, industries and representation within a set of close study products (70%).

Assessment:70% examination, 30% controlled assessment.

Exam Board: Eduqas/WJEC
Level: 3

Course Overview

This course is an excellent choice for students who are academic, analytical and fascinated by the world around them. Film Studies enables students to apply a wide range of academic, specialist, and cultural theories to a pre-set selection of films ranging from Hollywood classics to silent film and documentary. In addition to two exams, students will also complete a film production unit to assess their creative and technical films. 

Assessment: 70% examination, 30% controlled assessment.

Exam Board: Pearson
Level: 1/2

BTEC Firsts in Creative Digital Media Production can help you take your first steps towards a career in the digital industry. You’ll learn essential skills such as planning and pitching a digital media product, digital publishing and gain essential knowledge of media industries and audiences.

Assessment: 25% examination, 75% coursework.

Term 1:
Introduction to Media / Television

Term 2:
Advertising / Film Promotion

Term 3:
Music videos / Video Games

Term 4:
Magazines

Term 5:
Online, social and participatory / Radio 

Term 6: Introduction to NEA

Term 1:
Newspapers/ NEA

Term 2:
Online, social and participatory recap / NEA

Term 3:
Video Games recap / NEA

Term 4:
Television recap/  NEA

Term 5:
Revision of CSPs

Term 6:
Revision of CSPs

Year One

Year one will be focused on covering the A Level CSPs and apply the theoretical framework of Media Studies alongside relevant contextual areas of study. This will involve in-depth analysis of television, online and social media, video games and magazines. In addition, there will be more focused studies of music videos, newspapers, advertising, radio and film. 

Year Two

In year two, students will complete their non-examined assessment which contributes to 30% of the A Level grade. This unit of work requires students to create linked productions across different media platforms in response to a pre-set brief. In year two, students will also revise the CSPs and be taught a range of critical theory to complement and extend existing knowledge. 

Year One

In year one, students will be introduced to the core areas of study and how filmmakers generate meanings through technical codes and contextual understanding. Students will then complete component one which explores the changing face of Hollywood, independent and mainstream film and British films. Towards the end of year one, we will begin looking at documentary and silent film for component two. 

Year Two

Much of year two will be spent completing the non-examined assessment which takes the form of a film production. Students will also be taught the remaining films for component two which comprise of global and experimental films. Year two will also involve ample exam practice, revision and application of high level theory.

Year One

Unit 1:
Digital Media Sectors and Audiences – in this unit learners will explore the digital media industry and all five key sectors that fall under it (Digital Moving Image, Digital Audio Production, Digital Publishing, Website Production and Digital Games Production). They will also explore the different types of audiences and how audiences can engage with each sector.
 

Unit 2:
Planning and Pitching a Digital Media Product – in this unit learners will use their verbal, written and visual communication skills to enable them to formulate, develop and pitch ideas of a product that they then plan to produce. The optional specialist units allow flexibility, as they can be approached in a holistic way. While core units embed the key skills required to produce a digital project, the optional specialist units complement each other alongside this. For example, a learner could plan a production in Unit 2: Planning and Pitching a Digital Media Product, produce a TV commercial in Unit 3: Digital Moving Image Production, and produce an audio soundtrack to go over the TV commercial in

Unit 4:
Digital Audio Production.
 

Unit 3:
Digital Moving Image Production – in this unit learners will investigate key features of digital moving image productions, including structures, generic conventions and audience address, in preparation for the making of a film or video.
 

Unit 5:
Digital Publishing Production – in this unit, learners will gain the knowledge and skills required for the design and development of digital publishing products. They will also have an overview of how to source materials and then combine them. Learners will organise and manage the production of a digital publishing product.

Extra support for coursework and revision sessions for all media pupils at GCSE will be available after school on Thursdays and Fridays until 4pm.

Due to the consistently dynamic nature of the subjects, revision guides and books are often obsolete with new additions and revisions to the courses occurring nearly every year since the new specifications’ inception in 2016.

GCSE | Media Studies - AQA home 

GCSE Media Studies - BBC Bitesize 

Mrs Fisher - YouTube

A Level | Media Studies - AQA home

A Level Film Studies - Eduqas home

Welcome to A Level Media Studies! - Excellent site hosted by MediaMacguffin

A Level film resources

Mr Gardner's Film Studies Channel - YouTube