Media Studies

Studied at ncn High Pavement Sixth Form College.

What kind of student is this course suitable for?

The Media Studies course is designed to allow you to draw on your existing experience of the media and to develop your abilities to respond critically to the media. The focus is on new technologies and contemporary media. The course provides opportunities for you to investigate what interests you.

What will I study?

The two year study is underpinned by the key concepts of Media Studies:

  • Genre
  • Narrative
  • Institutions
  • Representation
  • Audience
  • Values and ideology
  • Media language

What will I achieve from the course?

There are a number of transferable skills that students can acquire on the Media Studies course:

  • Critical analysis and interpretation
  • Research and evaluation
  • ICT
  • Teamwork and problem solving
  • Discussion
  • Presentation and report writing
  • Independent learning

Length

  • 'AS' in Year 1
  • 'A2' in Year 2

Entry Requirements

'AS': at least Grade C in GCSE English
'A2': at least Grade E in 'AS' Media Studies

Course Content

There is an emphasis on creative production work. At 'A2' in particular, there is the opportunity to research a topic that will form the basis of your production.

2 units at 'AS' Level:

  • Media Representations and Responses: exploration of a range of media in relation to topics such as genre, narrative and representation
  • Media Production Processes: development of knowledge, understanding and skills in media production

2 units at 'A2' Level:

  • Media Investigation and Production: research into a media topic and production of a further piece of practical work
  • Text, Industry and Audience: study of three media texts in order to consider three different media industries

Throughout the course visits are arranged to film events and organisations.

Assessment

Portfolio of work and examinations.

Aims & Ambitions

A Higher Education course in Media, Teaching, Humanities, Social Sciences or Film Studies, or a career in one of these areas.