

Why choose GCSE Media Studies?
- Develops critical thinking and decision-making skills
- Develops appreciation and critical understanding of the role of the media in daily life
- Combines practical and theoretical knowledge and skills through opportunities for personal engagement and creativity
- Encourages an understanding of how to use key media concepts to analyse media products and their various contexts
- Prepares students for study in a range of disciplines at National Qualifications Framework Level 3 and above.
Course Overview:Unit 1: Investigating the Media
- Written Paper - 1 hour 30 mins - 60 marks - 40%
- External Assessment based on a pre-released topic (Task 1: Knowledge and Understanding. Task 2: Research, Planning and Presentation; Production and Evaluation.)
Unit 2: Understanding the Media
- Controlled Assessment taken from banks of set assignments - 90 marks - 60%
- Three Assignments: Introductory assignment; Cross-media assignment; Practical Production and Evaluation.
In the unlikely event that you need any more convincing...take a look at this:
Summary of benefits:
Among the many benefits, this new specification is designed to encourage candidates 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.
Course Overview:
Unit 1 MEST1: Investigating Media (50% of AS, 25% of A Level)
2 hour written examination
Two sections: A four compulsory short answer questions, B choice of one from two essays
Unit 2 MEST2: Creating Media (50% of AS, 25% of A Level)
Practical unit, internally assessed and externally moderated
Externally set production briefs.
Two linked production pieces (taken from two of the three media platforms studied in Unit 1 plus 1500 word evaluation).
Unit 3 MEST3: Media: Critical Perspectives (25% of A Level)
2 hour written examination
Two sections: A three compulsory questions on unseen stimulus pieces, B one essay from a choice of two topics
Unit 4 MEST4: Media: Research and Production (25% of A Level)
Practical unit, internally assessed and externally moderated
Two sections: Critical Investigation, Linked production pieceTake a look at a piece of Mest 2 practical work submitted by year 12 students: