Media Studies A Level

NEW Applications for September 2026

Applications Open - Monday 3rd November 2025

Applications Close - Monday 5th April 2026 at 5pm

Entry Requirements - A minimum of six separately identifiable GCSE subjects at grade 6 or above, OR an average of grade 6 in the best six GCSE subjects achieved

At least a grade 5 in both English and Mathematics For most subjects at A Level, a grade 6 in the subject at GCSE is required. However, for A Level Mathematics a grade 7 is required, and for Further Mathematics a grade 8 is necessary

How to Apply - Applications can be made through Kent Choices

Please contact us directly if you have any questions - contact sixthformrecruitment@nks.kent.sch.uk

Open Evening

Thursday 15th January - 6pm - 8pm

Presentations at 6:30pm & 7:30pm

No booking necessary.

Open Mornings - Please visit our school website to book a slot for the open mornings www.nks.kent.sch.uk

Thursday 20th November 2025 9am - 12pm

Thursday 11th December 2025 9am -12pm

Please visit our website for information on consultation meeting if you would like to visit the school and talk to a member of the Sixth Form Team - https://www.nks.kent.sch.uk/page/?title=Sixth+Form+Admissions&pid=33

In Media Studies, students will study a wide range of media concepts and theories from Feminism to Marxism, postmodernism to realism. Students will study a plethora of texts from an array of eras including: music videos, magazines, documentaries, film, advertising, computer games and television. Students will have the opportunity to analyse and discuss these texts, considering their impact on us as media practitioners, and society as a whole. Students will also have the opportunity to create media texts, producing media in a given genre, be it a music video or a magazine cover, and acting creatively to show all they have learned.

Exam format:

Component 1: Media Products, Industries and Audiences

Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes, 35% of qualification: The examination assesses media language, representation, media industries, audiences and media contexts. It consists of two sections:

Section A: Analysing Media Language and Representation

This section assesses media language and representation in relation to two of the following media forms: advertising, marketing, music video or newspapers. There are two questions in this section:

Section B: Understanding Media Industries and Audiences

This section assesses two of the following media forms – advertising, marketing, film, newspapers, radio, video games - and media contexts.

Component 2: Media Forms and Products in Depth

Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes, 35% of qualification

The examination assesses media language, representation, media industries, audiences and media contexts. It consists of three sections:

Section A – Television in the Global Age

Section B – Magazines: Mainstream and Alternative Media

Section C – Media in the Online Age

Component 3: Cross-Media Production

Non exam assessment, 30% of qualification: An individual cross-media production based on two forms in response to a choice of briefs set by WJEC, applying knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework and digital convergence.

Entry requirements:

GCSE grade 6 in English Language and English Literature.

Courses and career ideas:

Advertising, Journalism, Radio-Film-and-Television, Sociology, Government and Politics, Psychology, Communication Studies, Creative Writing, English Language, English Literature, Film Studies, Media Studies, Theatre Studies.