Media Studies

A Level Media Studies

Students follow the AQA specification for Media Studies.

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all of their exams and submit all of their non-exam assessment at the end of the 2 year course.

A Level Media Studies engages students in the in depth study of media products in relation to the four areas of a theoretical framework that has 4 key concepts:

• Media language
• Media representation
• Media industries
• Media audiences.

Students are required to study media products from all of the following media forms:

• television
• film
• radio
• newspapers
• magazines
• advertising and marketing
• online, social and participatory media
• video games
• music video

In addition to the broad coverage of all nine media forms, students will engage in the in depth study of at least one audio-visual, one print and one online, social and participatory media form.

In both Year 12 and 13, there are nine lessons over a two-week period with homework set weekly. Students are expected to spend six hours per week studying outside of lessons. Work is regularly assessed and students are given constructive feedback in order to help them progress. Students' private study is also monitored, through regular folder-checks and ongoing discussion.

Assessment is by written exam and Non-Exam Assessment:

Examinations:

Media One:

What is assessed?

Section A will focus on Media Language and Media Representations. Questions in this section will test the following forms:

• advertising and marketing
• music video.

Section B will focus on Media Industries and Media Audiences.

Questions in this section can test any two of the following forms:

• radio
• newspapers
• film (industries only).

How is it assessed?

Written exam: 2 hours

84 marks

35% of A Level

Questions

• A range of questions relating to an unseen source and Close Study Products.
• Two essay questions (20 marks), one of which is an extended response question.

Media Two:

What is assessed?

Questions will focus on the in-depth media forms of television, magazines and online, social and participatory media/video games.

How is it assessed?

Written exam: 2 hours

84 marks

35% of A Level

Questions

• One medium length unseen analysis question.
• Three essay questions (25 marks), one of which is an extended response question and one of which is a synoptic question.

Non-exam assessment: Creating a cross-media production:

What is assessed?

• Application of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework.
• Ability to create media products.

How is it assessed?

• A choice of one of six annually changing briefs, set by AQA.
• 60 marks
• 30% of A-level
• Assessed by teachers
• Moderated by AQA

Tasks

Students produce:

• a statement of intent
• a cross-media production made for an intended audience.

Intervention, Revision and Enrichment:

After school support and intervention sessions run fortnightly, as well as some Saturday morning revision sessions. In addition, the department organises various revision lectures/courses which take place both online and in school.