Media Studies

5 GCSE grades 9- 4 including English Language at grade 4 and an interest in the media and the technologies that create the products.

Media Studies is both an academic and a practical subject; you will be able to further develop your written skills to a high level. However, you will also be able to develop some excellent computer skills and explore the potential of new technologies such as your iphone. You will also learn how to make magazines look professional; create a website for a band or artiste you create as well as film and TV. All of which will provide you with a number of exciting opportunities that will help equip you for life in a new media world.

AS Unit 1 – MEST1 Investigating Media

50% of AS, 25% of A Level 2 hour written examination

Section A: Four compulsory short answer questions

Section B: Choice of one from two essays

Unit 2 – MEST2 Creating Media

50% of AS, 25% of A Level Practical unit, internally assessed and externally moderated. Externally set production briefs.

Two linked production pieces taken from two of the three media platforms studied in Unit 1 plus 1500 word evaluation.

A2 examinations

A2 Unit 3 – MEST3 Media: Critical Perspectives

25% of A Level

2 hour written examination

Two sections:

• Section A: three compulsory questions on unseen stimulus pieces
• Section B: one essay from a choice of two topics

Unit 4 – MEST4 Media: Research and Production

25% of A Level

Practical unit, internally assessed and externally moderated

Two sections:

• Critical Investigation (48 marks)
• Linked production piece (32 marks)

 Media Studies is a very well established subject at SRA and we offer a range of courses including A level, GCSE and Media BTEC Extended Diploma AS and A2 Media (AQA)

Our examination results are consistently high, and we achieve highly compared to the national average which reflects the excellence of the teachers involved. Several of our student’s work has been retained by the exam board as exemplars for training examiners.

Through media studies, students can expect to develop both academic and practical subject knowledge. Whilst developing written skills to a high level, you will also develop some excellent computer skills and explore the potential of new technologies such as your iPhone. You will learn how to make magazines look professional; create a website, film and TV for a band or artiste you create. All of which will provide you with a number of exciting opportunities that will help equip you for life in a new media world.Past students have gained employment in the world of media, working for renowned institutions such as Madam Tussauds and The Guardian.

This course is demanding in terms of:

Research, planning and organisation, intellectual and practical skills, independent thinking. Homework: encompasses a range of tasks including practical work such as filming and taking photographs. Research and planning may include visiting venues and reconnoitring. Essay writing and note making is also expected.

The media is one of the fastest growing areas of the economy and media studies combines well with a number of other courses at universities. In addition to subject specific skills, students may also develop leadership skills, organisational skills, cooperative working practices, vision and innovation, taking concept to product and ICT skills.

An application form can be obtained from the Head of Sixth From h.potter@samuelryderacademy.co.uk. Once your application has been processed you will be invited to discuss your subject choices with the Head of Sixth Form.