Media Studies

Subject Leader: Mrs Hosking - ehosking@tqacademy.co.uk

AIMS OF THE MEDIA STUDIES DEPARTMENT

• To help you get better at being creative, thinking carefully, doing research, and communicating.
• Encouarge you to explore different types of media, like movies, TV shows, and social media.
• Spark an interested in current and interactive media topics.

MEDIA STUDIES CURRICULUM

Our curriculum mountains show the content of the curriculum for each Teaching & Learning quarter for each academic year.  To find out more about the curriculum, please contact the Subject Leader.
 

OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM

Course Title: GCSE Media Studies

Examining Body: AQA

Course Lead: Mrs Hosking

What will I study?

In GCSE Media Studies, you will learn about different media products by studying four main areas:

• Media Language: How media uses pictures, words, and sounds to tell stories and share messages.
• Media Representation: How different people and groups are shown in the media.
• Media Industries: How the businesses that create media work.
• Media Audiences: How different people use and understand media.

 You will study these types of media:

• Television
• Film
• Radio
• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Advertising and Marketing
• Online, Social, and Participatory Media
• Video Games
• Music Videos

How and when will I be assessed?

For AQA GCSE Media Studies, you will be assessed in two main ways:

1. Exams (70%)

When: At the end of the course.

How: There will be two written exams. You will answer questions about the media products and topics you've studied. 

2. Coursework (30%) (Non-exam assessment)

When: During the course, in Year 11.

How: You will complete a project where you create your own media product. This could be something like a magazine cover, a short film, or a website.

Your final grade will be a mix of your exam results and your coursework project.

Further study

If you enjoy GCSE Media Studies, you could continue studying it at A Level alongside subjects like English Literature, ICT, and possibly Photography.

OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 5 CURRICULUM

Course Title: A level Media Studies

Examining Body: EDUQAS

Course Lead: Mrs Hosking

Course description

A Level Media Studies is a popular subject at Torquay Academy. It offers our students a challenging and interesting course that contains a good balance of practical and theoretical work.

A Level Media is particularly useful if you wish to go into a media based career, such as journalism or marketing, or to study Media at University.

A Level Media Studies is designed to encourage students to:

• enhance their enjoyment and appreciation of the media and its role in their daily lives
• develop critical understanding of the media through engagement with media products and concepts and through the creative
• application of practical skills
• explore production processes, technologies and other relevant contexts
• become independent in research skills and their application in their practical work and in developing their own views and interpretations.

What will I learn?

Through studying Media Studies students will view, evaluate and analyse a variety of media products, and develop practical skills spanning a range of media forms.

You’ll find contemporary, diverse topics and varied and engaging content, helping your students to develop research, problem-solving skills as well as their creativity.

They’ll also refine their debating skills through the discussion of contemporary issues from a range of perspectives.

Course structure

There are three Components at A level:

Component 1 (35%):

Media Products, Industries and Audiences

Component 2 (35%): Media Forms and Products in Depth

Component 3 (30%): Cross-Media Production

Component 1 and 2 is assessed by examination and is worth 70% of the total A Level.

Component 3 is in the form of production coursework and is worth 30% of the total A Level.

Where could it lead?

What career path doesn’t need you to be media literate in this day and age? Media Studies is great for those seeking a career in the media or any communication industry. This subject will improve your production and academic writing skills and allows individuals to be creative and imaginative. 

CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN TO UNIVERSITY

Top 5 UK universities to study Media:

1. University of Leeds - Leeds is known for its excellent Media and Communication program. They offer a range of courses that cover different aspects of media, including film, digital media, and journalism.
2. Goldsmiths, University of London - Goldsmiths is famous for its creative and innovative approach to media studies. They offer courses that combine theory with practical skills, and they have strong links with the media industry.
3. University of Warwick - Warwick offers a highly regarded Media and Creative Industries course. The university is known for its strong research in media and cultural studies, and students benefit from a vibrant campus life. 

4. University of Westminster - Westminster has a long history of media education and offers a variety of media-related courses. They have excellent facilities, including TV and radio studios, and strong industry connections. 

5. Cardiff University - Cardiff is well-known for its Journalism, Media, and Cultural Studies school. They offer a range of courses and have a strong reputation for research and teaching in media studies.

CAREERS INFORMATION

If you enjoy studying Media you might be interested in exploring the following careers:

Film and TV Director

One exciting career you could have after studying Media Studies is becoming a Film and TV Director. Directors are the creative masterminds behind movies and TV shows. They work with actors, writers, and crew members to bring stories to life on the screen. Imagine being on a movie set, shouting "Action!" and watching your vision come to life. Directors in the UK can earn a lot of money too, with some making over £50,000 a year or even more if they direct big blockbuster movies or popular TV series!

Social Media Manager

Another cool job is a Social Media Manager. If you love Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, this could be perfect for you. Social Media Managers create and post content, interact with followers, and come up with fun ideas to get people excited about their brand or company. It's a fun and creative job that lets you use social media in awesome ways. In the UK, you can earn around £30,000 a year or more, especially if you work for a big company. 

Video Game Designer

If you love playing video games, how about designing them? As a Video Game Designer, you could create the next big hit game. You'd work on the characters, stories, and the worlds within the game. It's a job where your creativity can run wild, and you get to see people all over the world enjoying something you helped create. Video Game Designers in the UK can make a great salary too, often earning over £40,000 a year, and sometimes even more if their games become super popular.