Key Facts

GCSE Media Studies

Media Studies is very popular subject. Media Studies uses a wide variety of approaches to develop your understanding of the media and gives you an excellent grounding for life beyond College, no matter where you are headed. Emphasis is firmly placed on encouraging your skills of critical analysis and awareness through a variety of teaching methods, including 'hands on' practical experience. This course is for school leavers aged 16-18 and must be studied as part of the full time GCSE Retake programme.

  • Entry Requirements


    We will invite you to a Meet the Tutor event where you will receive information, advice, and guidance about the course you have applied for. This will be an opportunity for you to gain valuable information about the course and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

    You will provide a copy of your last school report and / or a reference from an employer or relevant professional other. This is to ensure we can support you to be able to achieve well on the course.

    4 x GCSEs at D/3 or above (including a humanities GCSE subject), or a Level 1 qualification in a relevant subject.

    Your GCSEs must include either maths and / or English , or a Functional Skills qualification in maths and / or English.

    We are firmly committed to finding the right course for you to ensure you can flourish. Talk to us today if you have any concerns about the application process, we are here to help take you to the next level.

  • Course Content


    This is the linear 9-1 GCSE qualification. A linear qualification means that students must sit all their exams at the end of the course in June: Students will study the following topics:

    • Exploring Media Language and Representation.
    • Exploring Media Industries and Audiences.
    • Understanding the Television Industry, the use of language, representation, audience and context.
    • Understanding the Music Industry, the use of music videos and online media, the use of language, representation, audience and context.
    • Completing an individual media production for an intended audience in response to a choice of briefs set by the exam board, applying knowledge and understanding of media language and representation.
  • Progression Next Steps


    On successful completion, you will be able to continue with Media Studies on one of our Level 3 vocational courses or A- Level courses, opening the way to an enormous variety of study and career opportunities.

    There are lots of opportunities available to you to progress across the South Thames Colleges Group and into the world beyond education.

    During your time with us you will have access to a dedicated team of careers and education advisors who will help you as you take the next steps towards achieving your goals.

  • Additional Information


    The exam board is Eduqas, the specification is GCSE Media Studies and the syllabus number is 603/1115/0

  • Assessment Details


    The course is assessed by two written exams. Paper 1 - Exploring the Media is worth 40% of the final marks. Paper 2 - Understanding Media Forms and Products is worth 30% of the final marks. The Production Controlled Assessment is worth 30% of the final mark. GCSE Media Studies does not have tiers of entry, so all students sit the same exam paper.