AS/A Level Media Studies
Start Date
Mon Sep 06 2021
Day / Time
Weekdays
Duration
1 year
Campus
Baltic Campus
This A Level in Media Studies encourages students to study the media in an academic context and apply the knowledge and understanding gained to their own media productions. They develop critical thinking skills as they study the media in both global and historical contexts.
In year 1 you will study:
- The Media Theoretical Framework
- Advertising and Marketing: The Jungle Book (2016)-UK film posters and the UK teaser trailer
- Film: The Jungle Book (2016) - Extracts of the film only to be considered in relation to the media industry issues exemplified
- Magazines: two front covers of The Big Issue
- Music Video: Billie Jean (Michael Jackson, 1982) and Million Reasons (Lady Gaga, 2016)
- Radio: one complete episode of the BBC Radio One Breakfast Show
- Video games: Minecraft- Extracts of the video game only to be considered in relation to the media industry and audience issues exemplified
- Long Form Television Drama: Analyse one complete episode of the Netflix’s hit Stranger Things (2016), while looking at the media language, representation, industries and audience present within the show while also linking all relevant media contexts.
- News and Online - Newspapers: one complete edition of the Daily Mirror and one complete edition of The Daily Telegraph and two front covers from the Daily Mirror and two front covers from The Daily Telegraph.
- Online, social and participatory media: The Mirror Online and The Telegraph websites and at least two articles from the Mirror Online website and at least two articles from The Telegraph websites plus relevant Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds from each news organisation.
Coursework
A different set brief each year creating adverts for various different products. The first three years have involved creating products for deodorant, food delivery and reality TV. You will have the choice of creating these in print or video form depending on what you are most comfortable and capable with.
In year 2 you will study:
News
Newspapers: learners must study the Daily Mail and The Guardian to inform
their studies.
Online social and participatory media: learners must study the
Mail Online and The Guardian websites, including social and participatory media
to inform their studies.
Media Language and Representation
Music video: Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy and Radiohead – Burn the
Witch
Advertising and Marketing: set media products for Old Spice (male
grooming product advert), Lucozade (UK soft-drink advert) and Shelter (UK
charity advert).
Magazines: two front covers of The Big Issue
Media Industries and Audiences
Film: The Jungle Book (1967) and The Jungle Book (2016) - extracts of the
films only to be considered in relation to the media industry issues
exemplified.
Radio: one complete episode of the BBC Radio One Breakfast
Show
Video games: Minecraft- Extracts of the video game only to be considered
in relation to the media industry and audience issues exemplified
Long Form Television Drama
Analyse one complete episode of the Netflix’s hit Stranger Things (2016) and critically acclimated German show Deutschland 83 (2015), while looking at the media language, representation, industries and audience within the shows and all relevant media contexts.
Coursework (30% of final grade)
You will be given a brief focusing on creating a magazine front cover or a music video while also designing a website linked to these. You get to choose what brief you would like to cover deepening on where you feel your skillsets lie. The options are print (e.g. magazine covers) or video (e.g. a music video).
Assessment methods include:
- Frequent Topic Tests
- Mock Assessments
- Practical Assessments
- External assessments (exams) will take place in the summer term – May/June.
Each level lasts a year, so you'll spend a year studying at AS Level and a year studying at A Level.
A number of degree programmes leading into jobs, such as:
- Media planner
- Multimedia specialist
- Programme researcher, broadcasting/film/video
- Public relations officer
- Runner, broadcasting/film/video
- Social media manager
- Television/film/video produce
- Web content manager
You will need to achieve 6 grade 6 GCSEs to study at Gateshead College.
If you do not meet this profile please still come to an Enrolment Event to discuss all options with a member of the A Level Team. An interview is also required.
This course is free to those aged under 19 years old.
Most people aged 19
years and over can qualify for free or reduced price course fees and there are
grants and bursaries you can apply for to help cover the costs of coming to
college, depending on your circumstances.
If you already have a full level 3 qualification and are aged 19 years over, you can apply for an Advanced Learning Loan or pay the fee upfront in full and qualify for a 10% discount.
You can get more information at our enrolment events, by calling 0191 490
2246 or email us at start@gateshead.ac.uk
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.
We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
Our specialist teams can help with:
- Learning difficulties
- Physical and sensory disabilities
- Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD, Aspergers or other specific learning difficulties
- Mental health and well being
- Exam access arrangements
- Money, finance and bursary advice
- Careers advice, job and university applications
See here for more information (link to learning support), pop into one of our
enrolment events, call us on
0191 426 4329.
Careers:
- Journalists, Newspaper and Periodical Editors
- Public Relations Professionals
- Advertising Accounts Managers and Creative Directors
- Arts Officers, Producers and Directors
- Photographers, Audio-visual and Broadcasting Equipment Operators
you could
earn:
