Media Studies A Level
Qualification
AS & A2
Results
A* - C grade: 98%
Awarding Body
WJEC
Media Studies A Level Overview
Media Studies A Level allows students to explore several media issues and debates across various media formats. Throughout this course, they will learn the technical codes and conventions necessary for constructing films, storyboards, and scripts. They engage in textual analysis and examine audience reception theories. Additionally, they delve into advertising, magazines, the television industry, digital editing skills, new media technologies, digital marketing, gaming, web design, and the influence of media.
Subjects that combine well with Media Studies include English, History, Psychology, and Sociology. Students can pursue careers in journalism, filmmaking, production work, television, camera operation, scriptwriting, sound engineering, lighting technology, advertising, sports journalism, and the costume design and make-up industries.
AS Level (year 1)
Unit 1: Investigating the Media (2 hr 15 min exam)
Students are encouraged to develop their knowledge and understanding of media language, representation, media industries and audiences. Exam content includes advertising and marketing linked to stimulus material, an exploration of news in the online age, and exploring the film industry: from productions that come from Wales to films from Hollywood.
Unit 2: Creating a Media Production (coursework)
A media production, including individual research and planning, created in response to a choice of briefs set by WJEC. Students will apply knowledge and understanding of key concepts, and produce an individual reflective analysis of the production.
A2 Level (year 2)
Unit 3: Media in the Global Age (2 hr 30 min exam)
Students will show off their knowledge and understanding of media language, representation, media industries and audiences. Students will study three different media industries in detail: Magazines, television and gaming. The exam explores ‘Television in the Global Age’, and the diverse nature of the magazine industry, as well as mainstream and alternative media. The final section of the exam assesses students’ knowledge of ‘Media in the Digital Age’.
Unit 4: Creating a Cross-Media Production (coursework)
Students put together a cross-media production, including individual investigative research and development, created in response to a choice of briefs set by WJEC. They will apply knowledge and understanding of key concepts and digital convergence and produce an individual critical analysis of the production.
Subjects that combine well with Media Studies are English, History, Psychology and Sociology. Career options include journalism, film-making, production work, television work, camera work, script-writing, sound engineering, lighting technician, advertising agencies, sports journalism and the costume design and make-up industries.
6 grade C’s at GCSE, including a grade C in GCSE English.
A grade C in a discursive subject like History, Religious Studies or English Literature can be used as an alternative for English.
