Media Studies A Level

A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language.

Media shapes the way we see ourselves as well as others and can be a powerful tool for societal change. This course gives you opportunities to study many aspects of this absorbing subject and you'll be guided and supported by our engaging specialist teachers throughout.

You'll study and learn about a range of media and how they are constructed from texts, to films, to advertising as well as creating your own in practical projects.

You will research and analyse a range of texts from television, cinema and video games, the press and broadcast news and radio. You will learn specialist terminology and investigate who is constructing the text, how it is constructed and for what audience.

You will study a range of media products, which reflect different social, historical, and cultural contexts. You'll also be able to develop your knowledge and understanding of theories and concepts related to media language, representation, media industries and audiences. Finally, you'll be able to apply your knowledge and understanding when independently creating your own media texts.

You will study at least one media product produced for a non-English speaking audience and at least one produced outside the commercial mainstream. You will also learn about complex media theories including structuralism, postmodernism and theories around ethnicity and post-colonialism

Two exams (2 hours each) covering case studies, debates and concepts relating to media language, industries, representations, and audiences (70% of total assessment). Practical coursework, in which students produce cross-media products in response to a particular brief, with a written statement of intent to explain their decisions and choices (30% of total assessment).

Many of our students progress to media studies or related courses in higher education, such as degrees in television, radio or digital media production and more practical qualifications such as HNDs. Media studies can also be studied as a joint degree with English, history, or languages. There is a wide range of theory and practical courses in this growth area.

We encourage our Media Studies students to attend the Create Your Future UCAS Convention in Manchester, to find out about creative courses in the UK.

You can apply online via the APPLY button and then add an additional two or three subjects to make up your academic programme. You can also apply for a second, alternative vocational programme of study via a separate application. If after reading this factsheet, you are still undecided about the course most suitable for you, please drop into one of our open evenings, ring our Admissions Department on 01743 653111, or email admissions@scg.ac.uk