At A Level, Media Studies empowers students to interrogate the media that shapes their world through understanding social, cultural, economic and political influences. Following the Eduqas specification, our vision is to foster independent, analytical minds who are confident in both deconstructing and producing media across diverse platforms. Our vision is for students to leave Media Studies as both critical media consumers and innovative media producers—ready to challenge, contribute to, and thrive in the ever-evolving world of media.
We offer A Level Media, assessed through Educas.
In Eduqas A Level Media Studies, students explore the everchanging world of media through an analysis of a wide range of media forms, including film, television, advertising, music videos, video games, magazines, and online content. Students will develop a critical eye that enables them to appreciate and critique the wider forces at play in the media environment around them.
Across each of these A levels, students will develop a strong, critical voice and be expected to develop their views and perspectives through regular class discussions and debates. With typically smaller class sizes, students are encouraged to challenge and explore multiple interpretations within each lesson and will develop the confidence to orate their views articulately.
Media Studies at A Level encourages students to develop their own aspiration through creating their own media products that will give them belief to take these skills outside of the classroom. Students are encouraged to develop their youth leadership through taking on more responsibility throughout the course and developing project managing skills when creating their end piece of coursework.
Studying A Level Media Studies with the Eduqas examination board helps students explore complex and interconnected questions about self, others, beauty, and God by critically engaging with the media's powerful role in shaping identities, beliefs, and values.
Studying media products encourages students to reflect on their own personal identity questioning what their own media consumption says about who they are. It also encourages critical thinking about how we treat one another through representation in the media and understanding how stereotypes are used to influence audiences either reinforcing divisions or promoting empathy and understanding.
When considering beauty media texts often project and shape ideals of beauty leading students to reflect on how beauty is defined, how beauty standards have an impact on self-esteem and body image as well as who is benefitting from the promotion of the beauty standards e.g. for cosmetic reasons. Students are able to reflect on historical contexts and how this has shaped our impressions of the beauty standards today.
Though media studies is secular it still raises spiritual questions such as how religion and faith are represented in the media as well as how the media shapes moral and ethical values. Students are able to reflect on whether the advances in technology and the rise of social
Students will be formatively assessed weekly through class discussions, ‘apply and demonstrate’ tasks, peer and self assessment and whole class teacher feedback. Students will reflect on their own work and their peers and act on feedback.
Students will complete summative past paper assessments at the end of each topic which will be assessed and tracked. Students will REACT in detail to improve their work through redrafting and editing ensuring visible progress.
Students will be assessed in exam conditions such as both open and closed book assessments to prepare them for future A Level exams. Mock examinations also take place at 3 points across KS5 (once in year 12 and twice in year 13) to prepare students for the demands of A level examinations.
Furthermore, the coursework element of the course awards students 30% of their final grade. Through the NEA tasks, students are encouraged to further explore areas of the course that most interest them with much more freedom.
Studying media will position students well for university courses such as journalism, linguistics or publishing, however the skills developed across the two years of study are transferrable to a vast array of different fields. Media Studies offers students an insight into marketing and advertising.
