Media Studies A Level

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A Level Media Studies is a great choice if you are wanting to progress into a career in the media.

The course focuses on different media forms such as the news, social media, advertising, gaming, radio, film and TV. Media Studies A Level takes a holistic approach at looking at the media industry, the creative and design element is studied alongside sociological changes and the business element of the media industry. This wholesome approach prepares you for further study at university or to be ready to go straight in to employment.

The media department at Wyke offers you a unique experience due to the extensive facilities and resources we have on offer. The department has 2 rooms of edit suites offering Premier Pro & Photoshop for working on course work projects. These are used in industry and allows you to prepare your skills for future study or work placements. The department offers a bookable kit to loan including a vast range of DSLR cameras, a drone, dollies, tripods, sliders, a bookable photography studio and much more to make a technical production. The department does not expect you to purchase your own kit to be fully immersed in the media experience.

EXAMINATION

Paper 1: Media Messages

This section consists of one 2 hour examination in two parts.

Section A paper 1: News

Q1: Explores application of media language and representation theories. Students will be shown 2 unseen news papers (Tabloids and Broadsheets) and be asked to analyse and evaluate to what extent the theory can be applied or challenged.

Q2: Students have to discuss conventions of news genres and how they have developed over time. This question explores the development of online news and how institutions have had to adapt to social and cultural changes.

Q3: Set texts of the ‘Guardian’ broadsheet and ‘Daily Mail’ tabloid are explored in great depths. Students will understand political ideologies of the papers and how they make profit. The question focuses on economical and political factors of the changing face of the news industry.

Q4: Explores application of media audience and industry theories. Students will be asked to apply and evaluate how the given theory is applicable or not to the Daily Mail and Guardian.

Section B paper 1: Media Language and Representations

Magazine: The Big Issue is a set text, students will analyse and understand the social, cultural and political readings of a variety of covers in preparation for an unseen analysis essay in the exam.

Advertising and marketing: River Island, Dove Baby and Shelter UK charity are the set texts studied. Students will be apply media theory and deconstruct meanings given from each advert understanding the differences between commercial and not for profit campaigns.

Music videos: Students will study both independent and mainstream videos including List A: Lil Nas X ‘Sun goes down’ and List B: David Guetta Titanium. Students will analyse cinematography, editing, mise en scene and sound and conduct an analysis essay.

Paper 2: Evolving Media

This section consists of one, 2 hour examination in two parts.

‍Section A: Media Industries and Audiences

Q1 and Q2 Students will explore media industries and audiences looking at how and why media products are constructed across forms to address audiences. This paper focuses on the business and profitability of the industry covering all media forms. Students will study 3 areas but apply only 2in the exam.

Media forms of focus include:

Radio (BBC Radio 1): A study in to how radio engages audiences and is adapting to society’s changing ways of consuming music. Students consider radio as a form and how it is introducing streaming and podcasting to remain relevant.

Video games (Animal Crossing): A study in to how Nintendo are a powerful franchise and how the game makes profit in such a competitive industry. It focuses on how in game purchasing and fandom create income.

Film (Disney): A comparative study of ‘Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs’ and ‘Chang- Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings’. Students will explore how Disney illustrate the changes and continuities between Hollywood film making in the 1930s and the present day, looking at the role of ownership and funding, processes of production, distribution and exhibition(circulation).

Section B: Long Form TV Drama industry and language

In depth study of TV: Students will look at a contemporary English language long form TV drama Killing Eve (BBC America) and a non-English long form TV drama Lupin (Netflix). Students will have to compare the similarities and differences of each drama.

Q3 Application of contexts: Students will use the set texts to conduct a comparative essay in relation to: Political, historical, social, cultural and economic contexts. Students will explore how different TV industries make profit, develop fandom and display similarities and differences to remain relevant and profitable.

Q4 Application of theory: A variety of Media language, representation, audience and industry theorists are studied for a theory-based question in the exam. Students will be able to conform or challenge a given theorist applying both TV dramas of Killing Eve and Lupin.

COURSEWORK NEA 30%

Students will be assessed in one print based practical submission. The brief changes year upon year in terms of the set genre of the magazine. You will have to produce at least 4 print based pages including 2front covers and 2 contents pages and a supporting webpage with an active link and moving image section.

Two, two hour exams at the end of year 2 of study.

70% Examination, 30% Coursework

Information on course specific and pathway specific entry criteria can be found on our website.

Upon completing their studies at Wyke, many students progress into media careers or higher education opportunities in areas such as radio broadcast, creative industries such as marketing, advertising and PR, publishing, I-media, video games, print and graphic design and TV and film.