Year 12 Content

In Year 12 students will investigate a variety of media in order to reach an understanding and basic evaluation of how meanings and representations are created.  The key concepts of media language and conventions, institutions, audiences and representations will be explored through theoretical and practical work in audio-visual, print based and ICT based media.

Component 1: Investigating the Media Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes

The examination assesses media language, representation, media industries, audiences and media contexts. It consists of two sections. Section A and B: Investigating Media Language and Representation This section assesses media language and representation in relation to advertising and music videos.

Component 2: Investigating Media Forms and Products Written examination: 2 hours

This examination assesses knowledge and understanding of media language, representation, media industries, audiences and media contexts. The exam consists of three sections. Section A – Television, Section B – Magazines and Section C – Online Media

Component 3: Media Production Non-exam assessment

Year 13 Content

In Year 13, students are encouraged to examine the media in a less formulaic way and demonstrate, develop and formulate their understanding of the media and its influential role in today's society as well as debating Major Contemporary Media Issues.

Component 1: Media Products, Industries and Audiences Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes

Section A: Analysing Media Language and Representation. This section assesses media language and representation in relation to advertising and newspapers.

Component 2: Media Forms and Products in Depth Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes

The examination assesses media language, representation, media industries, audiences and media contexts. It consists of three sections: Section A – Television in the Global Age,

Section B – Magazines: Mainstream and Alternative Media and Section C – Media in the Online Age

Students sit examinations in their A Level courses at the end of Year 13. All students will take internal end of year examinations at the end of year 12 to determine suitability to continue with the subject in Year 13. Students who do not meet the required pass grade in the Year 12 end of year examinations will not be permitted to progress into Year 13.

Media is assessed in two ways on the A Level course. The coursework is internally assessed and externally moderated, whilst the exam is externally assessed and moderated.  This approach in Media Studies integrates theoretical and practical approaches by requiring students to write about their coursework experiences in the synoptic examinations.  It also insists upon the importance of a full understanding of the new media which dominate the contemporary landscape by ensuring that students use such media in their coursework and write about them in their examinations.

The coursework involves planning, creating and evaluating a media text in Year 12 and three linked pieces in Year 13.

The course requires you to be Creative, Analytical and Hard-Working!