Media Studies

Subject Co-ordinator: Patrick Kelly
Examination Board: WJEC
Course Code: 500/44141

Key Stage 3 & 4

Media Studies is part of the English curriculum in Years 7, 8 and 9. At Key Stage 4 it continues to be studied in English, being assessed both through coursework and examination.

The GCSE Media Studies course begins in Year 9 with pupils taking a single "taster" lesson. Pupils then opt for Media at the end of Year 9. A two year course follows.

GCSE Media Studies involves coursework and an examination, both of which are practical and analytical. Students create their own “media artefacts”. Typically, students create a series of CD covers for a band of their own creation. They begin by researching the codes and conventions used in CD covers, create a band playing a particular genre of music, have a target audience, create a series of CD covers, and then evaluate what they have done.

All coursework has to be done in class under "controlled conditions" in a series of mini exams. Additionally, students have to compare and analyse two media texts eg TV adverts, film posters, newspapers etc.

Students are expected to use Media Language in their analytical work. This enables them to “deconstruct” media texts so they gain a deeper understanding and are then able to construct their own artefacts which will achieve the highest of grades.

Media Studies builds on English, Information Technology, and everything students do in their Vocational Studies. It provides them with a greater insight into others’ performance and their own. It makes them more aware of what is expected on the other side of the camera and microphone.

Coursework provides 60% of the GCSE marks with final exam providing the other 50% of the marks. It has two sections dealing with different aspects of the media. Each requires analysis and a pre-production.

The course is an excellent foundation for A Level Media or Film Studies.