Notre Dame School

Learn With Us

Admissions

Curriculum

Houses

Sixth Form

Media Studies

A Level

Exam Board Eduqas

Entry Requirements:

An average point score of 4.5 or above, calculated over your best 8 results. A minimum of a level 5 GCSE in English Language is essential. GCSE Media Studies is desirable but we will consider your application if you have not studied this course at GCSE.

You can:

Apply to enrol on the 2 year course. This course places a strong emphasis on analytical skills as well as creating media texts that could exist in the real world. Both of these skills are assessed by focusing on coursework and examinations.

This will mean:

You will actively engage with a range of media texts considering the context of their creation and how they were constructed. There is a strong focus on both contemporary and historical texts. Students are also given the opportunity to develop their study into their own media productions.

This course offers students the chance to consider both theory and production. A keen analytical and creative mind is essential. You will focus on many areas including Television, Film, Advertising, and Music (to name just a few).

This course will appeal to any student who:

Enjoyed Media Studies at GCSE and enjoys being creative. Anyone who has a strong interest in different aspects of the Media will enjoy this course.

Current assessment of this course entails:

Completing two exams and one piece of coursework submitted in year 2. There will be mocks and regular assessments using the exam and coursework criteria to support your progress and prepare you for the final assessments, throughout the 2 year course.

Current Course Modules are:

Written Papers

Assessed externally by exam

35% each

Component 1: Media Products, Industries and Audiences

This module focuses on making links between a range of different media texts both studied and unseen, using audience and institutions as the main focal point. You will focus on the key areas of Television, Film, Music and Newspapers.

Component 2: Media Forms and Products in Depth

This exam focuses on analysis of prescribed media texts. The mediums examined are global TV, magazines, and online media.

Coursework

30%

Students respond to a brief from the exam board and create their own individual cross-media production, applying knowledge and understanding of the theories behind production, taken from their studies.

With this subject you could:

Study in many disciplines including marketing, advertising, journalism, television, PR, and teaching. Media Studies gives students a keen analytical focus which can be used in a variety of careers, and an insight into how society’s ideology is shaped by the information around us. Many students feel that this course compliments Social Studies or Psychology for this reason.

For more information contact:

Mr I Kendall ikendall@ndonline.org (Media Studies Teacher)