Media Studies

Applications Open: - Friday 28th November 2025

Applications Close: - Friday 6 February 2026 - Please note - If you do not complete your application fully by the deadline of Friday 6 February 2026, we may not be able to consider it until August when GCSE results are published.

How to Apply:

Internal students - Applications to join our Sixth Form, via Applicaa, can be made via this link Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend (applicaa.com). PLEASE NOTE that you should use an e-mail address that you check regularly as the Applicca system will contact you with updates about your application.

External students - Year 11 Students from other schools applying to Mayfield Grammar School should apply via KentChoices using this link - https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login. Please note - After sending your application, you'll receive a welcome email from Applicaa asking for further information.

If you applied to us before the deadline but have not heard from us for a while please bear with us, we are working through the applications and will get back to you with our decision and advice as soon as we can. We will continue to send messages via Applicaa so please logon from time to time to check if we need some additional information from you

Applications After the deadline

Students who are interested in applying to Mayfield Grammar School for Sixth Form but have missed our application process can contact us once they have their GCSE results in August. After the publication of GCSE examinations results in August we ask that you make an appointment to discuss your application with the Sixth Form team. You need to call 01474 352896 or email admissions@mgsg.kent.sch.uk. Please check you have met our entry criteria for the subjects you want to study and read our Options Booklet under the Sixth Form tab on our website for our general entry criteria. If you meet our criteria, please get in touch, and bring your original documents for GCSE Results Summary and Birth Certificate as ID when you are offered an appointment.

Entry Requirements: -

Entry to the Sixth Form is dependent on demonstrating achievements which show general breadth of ability as well as depth in the specific courses chosen for study in the Sixth Form. For this reason you will need to have achieved all the following:

1. A minimum of 6 GCSEs at Grade 5 and above, preferably on the higher papers, in discrete subjects, with the exception of Combined Science, which counts as two subjects.

2. Grade 5 or above in GCSE English and GCSE Mathematics.

3. To have met the requirements of the individual subjects that you intend to study at A Level/Level 3, which are all, with the exception of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Languages, a minimum of Grade 6 at GCSE on the Higher papers. This is essential.

Essential skills

Prospective students should have good written communication skills as the ability to produce reasoned, detailed and sophisticated written analysis is essential. Students who possess strong creative skills will also find the subject appealing due to the 70% exam, 30% coursework nature of the linear course. The ability to think independently, perceptively and critically, which an abstract mindset, is important in order to be successful and a natural interest in areas such as film, TV, news, print media and the online world would be extremely beneficial.

Year 1

This course is designed to promote broader and deeper understanding of the media’s role in society, culture, politics and the economy. Students will explore the usefulness of critical ideas about the media and of academic theories and subject-specific terminology. Year 1 involves developing an understanding of a wide range of new concepts and theories that are used to practise analysing various contemporary media texts across different platforms (audio-visual, online, and print forms). Students are then able to take these concepts and use them to aid in the production of their own practical products. Throughout Year 12, students are exploring the key question of how and why media texts are constructed, considering important areas of study such as audience, representations, industries and media language. Students will study a wide range of issues and debates in the media where they will apply the theoretical framework they have studied.

Year 2

Media Studies builds upon the understanding of concepts and theories studied in Year 12. The students will continue to develop a critical approach to a wider range of more complex media theories and perspectives. Students will be encouraged to develop a full knowledge and understanding of the contexts of the media and the theoretical framework. The skills transition from predominantly being ‘analytical’ in first year, to a more ‘evaluative’ exploration of theoretical perspectives and media texts.

For the coursework (externally assessed 30%), students will have a choice of topics related to annually changing briefs that are set by the exam board. They are expected to create a cross-media production using two of the media platforms. They should demonstrate an appreciation of how theoretical understanding supports practice.

Grade 6 in GCSE English Language and Grade 6 in English Literature.

University requirements

Typical offers: Brighton – BBC; Keele – BBC; Lancaster- ABB; Newcastle- AAB; Kings– AAA; Leeds-AAB

Links to Further Education

Media; Multi Media Design and Computing; Media with programming; Games design; Marketing; Advertising; English Teaching; Film and Television studies; Media production; Illustration and Visual Media; Media Communication; Web Design; Graphic and Media Design

Links to Careers

The Media Business; Film; Production; Post Editing; Journalism; Internet content; Runner; Television or Radio; Marketing; Advertising; Web Designer (with computing); Copywriter (with English); Teacher; Public Relations