Media Studies AS and A Level

Summary: Course Code: S0712-S0747 Course Length: One year for AS and two years for a full A Level Full Description:

The media affects us all in many ways; we use media technology to connect, investigate, learn and play. This course will develop your understanding of the media and your practical media production skills.

At AS level, you will study a range of contemporary and historical TV dramas and complete a case study on a key area of the media. Practical work will include designing and writing the front page, contents page and a double page spread for a new magazine. This will teach you the fundamentals of digital photography and studio lighting, and help you sharpen your journalistic writing.

At A2 level, you will study a range of contemporary media issues and debates with a particular focus on the ways in which media technology and social networking are changing how we socialise, work and play. You will complete an extensive cross-media promotion project. This involves working with local musicians and bands to produce a music video, DVD Digipak and print advert. Past students have worked with Ed Sheeran and The Crookes.

Throughout the course you will be supported by experienced staff and have use of high quality cameras, a TV studio, Photoshop, Adobe Creative Suite and Final Cut Pro.

Completed magazine designs and films are shown at our annual Oscars Night at The Forum in Norwich.

You are likely to do well in this subject if you are interested in the media, not just for their content, but also for the meanings behind them. You will also need to be creative and well-organised to complete your practical work successfully.

Assessment is through exams and coursework.

A Level Media Studies is useful for anyone wishing to take a related degree and you may one day find yourself working in the media. The course will also develop skills of critical analysis and interpretation, essay writing and debating that can be useful in a wide range of areas of study and careers.

Media Studies can be taken with any other subjects, but students often choose to combine it with English, Art, Photography or Sociology. We don’t generally recommend combining Media Studies with Film Studies as this can lead to an A Level programme that is too narrow.

Entry requirements:

• Five GCSEs at grades A*-C including English
• You do not need to have taken Media Studies before, but if you have, you will need to have a GCSE at grade A*-C or equivalent.

Please contact the Advice Shop for details of costs and start dates.

Please note that although the information given is believed to be correct at the time of publication, course information, costs where applicable and attendance details may change.