Our ideas and judgements about the world are largely derived from the mass media, with its global output surrounding and affecting us daily.
You will learn about its power and influence as a global industry and develop an in-depth understanding of how to analyse and produce media texts. For the coursework module you will be producing several major media products with appropriate research underpinning them. You must be prepared to take part in discussions, academic research, learn how to use media production software with guidance and have a creative eye for design.
You will also examine contemporary media issues and develop your production skills further with a comprehensive and demanding coursework brief. Assessment is through coursework and essay examinations. Media Studies is a very popular, challenging subject with a history of excellent results and employment opportunities.
All 16-19 year olds on full-time programmes will be required to retake GCSE English and Maths or to undertake Functional Skills, if they have not already attained the equivalent of a GCSE grade C in these subjects, every year of their course, until they complete their studies.
Those who want to enter the creative industries.
Farnham Sixth Form College has a wealth of media equipment and resources. These include two suites of media-dedicated Apple Mac computers, a film studio, green-screen technology and industry-standard production hardware and software. The Media department’s examination results are consistently excellent.
What you'll learn
Modules include:
- Explore the power and influence of media
- Develop an understanding of how to analyse and produce media texts
- Examine contemporary media issues
- Develop media production skills
- Develop industry knowledge for career progression
How you'll learn and be assessed
Discussions, group work, academic research, location shooting, production work and use of post-production software. Homework: Homework assignments are set on a weekly basis and are varied in nature, including research assignments, essays or other tasks to reinforce the class work. There will be ongoing deadlines for practical production work as well. Students are expected to work individually and also collaboratively as part of a group.
Progression
Degrees or careers in media, journalism, film or advertising.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English and maths.
Additional information
No specialist equipment is needed for this course as all materials, software and hardware are provided or available for student use. A course material fee of £10 per year is charged to cover this. There are also occasional fees to cover the cost of course trips and study visits.
