This document provides an overview of A-level Media Studies. It discusses that Media Studies involves the study of mass media products, organizations, and audiences. It covers three components: coursework involving media production, Paper 1 on media messages and representations, and Paper 2 on the evolution of media forms with digital technology. The coursework is 30% of the final grade while the two exams make up 35% each. No prior GCSE in Media Studies is required, as the course will start from the basics. Good written and analytical skills as well as creativity are beneficial for success in Media Studies.

1. Taster session

2.  What is the so called Mass Media of
communication?
 How many types of media can you list?
 What is the purpose of Mass Media?

3.  Media is a plural word used to describe the means
of mass communication (newspaper, magazines,
advertising, radio,TV, multimedia, internet, film)
 Media is based on the idea of communicating ideas,
with the purpose of either inform, educate or
entertain.

4. Media Studies are based on three interdependent study areas:
 The products of the media – media texts (explored in terms
of representation, genre and narrative)
 The organisations behind those texts (explored in terms of
production, distribution, marketing and exhibition, as well as
regulatory issues)
 The audiences for, and users of, those texts.

5. What is media representation?

11. The media is not a reflection of reality.
It is a representation of reality.
Nothing of what you see in the media is
strictly REAL
(not even the news)

12. The course is divided in three components (units):
1. Making media: Coursework unit
2. Paper 1: Media messages
3. Paper 2: Evolving Media

13. Is there coursework involved in Media Studies A level? Yes,
there is.Your coursework will amount to the 30% of your final
grade.
You will be expected to PRODUCE a media product.You can
chose from:
 A music video and its website
 Four pages of a magazine and its website
 A radio programme and its website

14. Are there exams involved in Media Studies A level?
Yes, there are two papers. Each of them will amount
to a 35% of your final grade.

15. Paper 1 is about Media messages: How does the mass media
represent the world around us and what messages are sent to
us?You will look at newspapers, magazines, music videos
and advertisement.
Paper 2 is about the evolution of mass media: How has the
mass media evolved into the online age?You will be looking at
the impact of digital technology on film,TV, radio and video
games production, distribution, marketing and exhibition.

16. Should I have taken Media Studies as a GCSE?
No.We will start from scratch with the key
concepts and subject’s terminology and
theories, as well as with the technical aspects of
media production.

17. Media Studies is a mix of different disciplines such as
English, Art & Design, IT, Social Sciences, Business.
Therefore is required:
 Good written communication and analytical skills
(at least a 5 in English language and English literature)
 Interest in the following forms of media: film, TV
drama, radio, music, printed media, graphic design
and written and audio-visual communication.

18.  Creativity
 Critical thinking
 Analytical skills
 Written communication skills
 Interest in social sciences (such as psychology and
sociology), ICT and Business studies.

19. Is this something for you?
Have you got any questions?