Examination Board : OCR
Link to Specification : http://www.ocr.org.uk/Data/publications/key_documents/AS_ALevel_GCE_Media_Studies_Specification.pdf
Units Taken : G321, G322, G324, G325

The course consists of 4 units:

AS Level
Foundation Portfolio in Media - students will produce 2 media artefacts form a print brief. This will involve progression from pre-production research and planning, to production of pages for a new music magazine.

Key Media Concepts - this involves textual analysis of TV Drama with a focus on representation, and a study of the magazine industry, through a case study. (2 hour exam)

A2 Level
Advanced Portfolio in Media - students will produce 2 media artefacts, one of which will be video. They will also present their research, planning and evaluation in 2 or more forms including blog and podcast.

Critical Perspectives - This paper covers theoretical evaluation of the production work, and the study of a contemporary media issue such as Global Media and Media Regulation. (2 hour exam)

Practical production skills from mock-ups and storyboarding, to use of DTP programmes, Photopshop and iMovie.
Analytical skills.
Research and independent study.
Work as a team member on production work.

Entry Requirements (all A2 subjects carry a minimum requirement of a D-grade AS level)

The school offer for entry is 5 GCSEs at B Grade and above with English Language or Literature and Mathematics at A* - C grade.

A 'B' grade or above in English and English Literature.

Entry Suggestions

To succeed in this subject you need to have good ICT skills and a genuine interest in the media. We find that students who have studied Art & Design or Design & Technology bring their creativity to the practical production work.
You will need to be prepared to work independently, in your own time, on research and production work.

If you are made an offer and meet the required grade, you will be expected to complete the following before your first lesson in September:


- Complete an audit of your own media consumption. List the TV programmes you watch regularly, the magazines or newspapers you read, the radio stations you listen to, the films you have seen in the past 6 months.

- Choose a magazine advertisement and answer the following question: What persuasive techniques are being used in the advertisement? (minimum 250 words) (please bring a copy of the ad in for your first lesson)

- Visit the National Magazine Company website - www.natmags.co.uk Find out the following for REVEAL magazine: Brand Statement / Brand Promise / Brand Values / Circulation figures.

Resources needed for this course (Books, Field-trips etc)

'OCR Media Studies for AS' priced at £16.99