AS/A Level Media Studies

Key Details

Available at:
Rhos-on-Sea, Rhyl
Study Mode:
Full-time
Course Length:
1-2 years

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AS/A Level Media Studies

School Leavers

Rhos-on-Sea

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Rhyl

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Applying for more than one A Level?

You can apply from this page and you will have the opportunity to add your additional A Level subjects at the end of the application process. You can find the A Level subject grid to make your choices on our main A Level page.

Please note: We recommend that you have access to a laptop or Chromebook to enable coursework to be completed digitally at home. There is a dedicated IT Digital Inclusion fund to support those learners who do not have a digital device and are unable to purchase one.

Course Description

This course focuses on the critical debates associated with the media.

You can study a combination of:

AVCEs
BTEC National Diplomas
A levels
AS levels
NVQs

Unit information

WJEC 'A' Level in Media Studies is designed to allow media students to draw on their existing experience of the media and to develop their abilities to respond critically to the media. It enabled students to explore a wide variety of media, including digital media technologies, drawing on the fundamental concepts informing the study of the media: texts, industry and audiences. The specification also encourages creative work to enable students to gain a greater appreciation of the media through their own production work and to develop their own production skills. At A2 in particular, students are given the opportunity to research a topic which will then form the basis for their production, thus encouraging them to create productions informed by an awareness of contemporary media issues. Candidates are encouraged to:

develop their interest and enjoyment in media texts
examine the development of media institutions
analyse the ways in which different media represent the world
apply their knowledge and understanding about media issues and practices to their own practical work
examine the ways in which media texts have been produced, circulated, consumed and interpreted by audiences
appraise the historical development and current organisation of selected media institutions
develop investigative and research skills
use their knowledge and understanding of different media texts to explore comparisons and connections between them.

Entry Criteria

Applying for A Levels? Click ‘Apply Now’ on any of the subjects you are interested in studying. You will be able to specify your other two A Level choices during the online application process.

The A Level subject grids for each campus can be found in the guides on the A Level section of the website.

In order to qualify for this course, you will need the following:

6 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English or Welsh 1st Language

As part of the application process, you will be asked to attend an interview to give you the opportunity to discuss the course.

Progression to A Level is based on your performance at AS Level.

Delivery

The course is delivered by a variety of teaching methods:

classroom learning
discussions
visits to appropriate media-related organisations etc.

Your programme will include a combination of:

Essential Skills qualifications and/or
GCSE resits and/or
The Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate is a valuable qualification which is often studied alongside your Level 3 full-time course.

The qualification is graded A*-E, carrying the equivalent UCAS points at Level 3, and equips you with transferable personal and business skills. It is highly regarded by universities and employers alike.

As part of the qualification, you will learn about Global Citizenship, Enterprise and Employability and take part in community engagement and work experience.

Essential Skills

This may include a combination of Application of Number, Communication, Digital Literacy and Essential Employability Skills

GCSE resits

This may include GCSE Numeracy/Maths and/or Welsh/English Language.

Maths & Welsh/English

If you don't achieve a C or above in Maths and/ or English/Welsh, we will support you to retake these subjects as part of your study programme.

Assessment

At AS level, students are assessed through one practical module and one exam-based module.

The practical module consists of three pieces of work:

one pre-production
one production which develops from the pre-production
one report on the production process

The exam consists of three compulsory questions, including one question on unseen audio-visual or print-based material.

The second year of the course follows a similar pattern with two modules:

The coursework module is a written investigation into media text(s) based on one or more of the key media concepts
The written exam consists of three questions from a choice of six

Progression

Candidates who complete only the AS specification will have acquired the necessary practical and intellectual skills to progress to advanced level study in Media (A2) or to apply their learning to a variety of related subjects.
Candidates who complete the whole specification will have an excellent grounding for a whole range of Higher Education courses currently available.
Apprenticeship Level 3 in Creative and Digital Media