Subject

Media Studies A level

Entry Requirements

5 GCSE’s 9-4 including English 5 grade or above and/or Media Studies grade 5and above (students do not have to have studied Media Studies for GCSE)

Exam Board

WJEC Eduqas

Content relating to the subject qualification

Overview

The WJEC Eduqas A level in Media Studies offers a broad, engaging and stimulating course of study which enables learners to:

• demonstrate skills of enquiry, critical thinking, decision-making and analysis
• demonstrate a critical approach to media issues
• demonstrate appreciation and critical understanding of the media and their role both historically and currently in society, culture, politics and the economy
• develop an understanding of the dynamic and changing relationships between media forms, products, industries and audiences
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the global nature of the media
• apply theoretical knowledge and specialist subject specific terminology to analyse and compare media products and the contexts in which they are produced and consumed
• make informed arguments, reach substantiated judgements and draw conclusions about media issues
• engage in critical debate about academic theories used in media studies
• appreciate how theoretical understanding supports practice and practice supports theoretical understanding
• demonstrate sophisticated practical skills by providing opportunities for creative media production.

Assessment of the qualification

Component 1: Media Products, Industries and Audiences

Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes (35% of qualification)

The examination assesses media language, representation, media industries, audiences and media contexts. It consists of two sections:

Section A: Analysing Media Language and Representation

This section assesses media language and representation in relation to two of the following media forms: advertising, marketing, music video or newspapers. There are two questions in this section:

• one question assessing media language in relation to an unseen audio-visual or print resource
• one extended response comparison question assessing representation in one set product and an unseen audio-visual or print resource in relation to media contexts.

Section B: Understanding Media Industries and Audiences

This section assesses two of the following media forms – advertising, marketing, film, newspapers, radio, video games - and media contexts.

It includes:

• one stepped question on media industries
• one stepped question on audiences.

Component 2: Media Forms and Products in Depth

Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes (35% of qualification)

The examination assesses media language, representation, media industries, audiences and media contexts. It consists of three sections:

Section A – Television in the Global Age

There will be one two-part question or one extended response question.

Section B – Magazines: Mainstream and Alternative Media

There will be one two-part question or one extended response question.

Section C – Media in the Online Age

There will be one two-part question or one extended response question.

Component 3: Cross-Media Production

Non exam assessment (30% of qualification)

An individual cross-media production based on two forms in response to a choice of briefs set by WJEC, applying knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework and digital convergence.

Career Pathways

Jobs directly related to media studies include:

• Media planner
• Multimedia specialist
• Programme researcher, broadcasting/film/video
• Public relations officer
• Runner, broadcasting/film/video
• Television/film/video producer

Jobs where your media studies would be useful include:

• Advertising account executive
• Broadcast journalist
• Editorial assistant
• Event organiser
• Information officer
• Magazine journalist
• Market researcher
• Writer