Media Studies A Level

Applicants will only be considered once all the application information has been completed including predicted and/or actual grades and references.

Applicants with non-UK qualifications, for example, overseas qualifications, will be required to have the equivalence of their qualifications verified by UK ENIC (the wider European title for national recognition agencies www.enic.org.uk) who will charge the you a fee for providing this ‘Statement of Comparability’. If you are unable to gain a Statement of Comparability, we reserve the right to withdraw your application due to the lack of comparable grade evidence. We are required to ensure that students are eligible for ESFA funding, which is guaranteed if they are living with a parent who: Has British citizenship and/or; Has a right of abode/leave to enter the UK and/or; Has a relevant work permit/visa and/or; Is a foreign diplomat.

Please provide any outstanding documentary evidence in relation to the above. Applications from students who are not eligible for ESFA funding will have their application withdrawn by the school. The school does not hold a licence to support applicants with Home Office Tier 4 Student Visa status.

Why Study Media?

The media plays a central role in contemporary culture, society and politics, shaping our perceptions of the world through the representations, ideas and points of view they offer. This course aims to explore how Media texts create meaning, and how their representations of the world affect audiences. You will also look at the economic and cultural context in which individual media texts operate, through the close analysis of a range of media texts – both ‘traditional’ media (newspapers, television, films,) and digital online media (blogs, websites). You will also develop practical production skills and will be required to produce your own media products.

Any student with an interest in the media and/or thoughts of following a higher education course in Media / Film / Communications / Journalism / Cultural Studies would benefit from taking this course.

The course works well with many subjects but especially English Language, English Literature, DT (Graphics), Photography, Film Studies and Sociology.

What Does The Course Involve?

This contemporary, accessible and creative course has been designed to allow learners to study the media in an academic context and apply the knowledge and understanding gained to the process of creating their own media production. Macs, video and still cameras, and other necessary equipment are all also freely available to students for all creative projects that you undertake during the course.

Media Studies is designed to widen the intellectual horizons of the learner through the analysis of a wide range of media forms and contexts. It will enable students to develop a wider understanding and appreciation of the media in both an historical and contemporary context. Over the two year A Level, students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding across a range of different media forms and will develop a critical understanding of the media and of media products. Students will respond to a short, unseen moving image extract in exam conditions and will apply their knowledge and understanding of the media to the creation of their own media product.

Exam board: OCR. 70% exam, 30% coursework.

To qualify for a place in Sixth Form, you must achieve five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including Maths and either English Language or Literature or five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, plus at least a grade 4 in Maths and English Language or Literature.

For this course: GCSE grade 5 in English Language/English Literature/any Humanities subject*

* ‘Humanities subjects’ are History, Geography and RPE

The course is relevant to students considering a career in Media. It can lead directly to training, or to a place on a Media degree course. You will develop a range of skills on the course, which could lead to a number of different options in employment or Higher Education. Media Studies can lead to industry-related roles in areas such as production, journalism and photography.