GCSE Media Studies (Eduqas 9–1)
Overview
Media Studies explores the powerful role of media in shaping our understanding of the world around us. Through the study and practical application of a wide range of media forms — from film, television, advertising and radio to music videos, magazines, video games and online media — students learn how media products communicate meanings, represent people and places, and target specific audiences.
What will I study?
The course is structured around the four key areas of the Eduqas GCSE specification:
- Media Language – how technical and symbolic elements (camera work, layout, editing, sound, typography, colour and narrative) create meaning.
- Representation – how individuals, social groups, events and issues are represented in the media, and how these reflect wider social and cultural contexts.
- Audience – how audiences are targeted, reached and interpreted; how audiences interact with and respond to media products.
- Industries – how media organisations are structured, regulated and funded, and how technology and ownership shape production and distribution.
How is the course structured?
- Year 10: Foundations and Pre-Production
Students develop analytical and technical skills through close study of a range of set texts and genres (e.g. magazines, advertising, television and film marketing). They also learn key pre-production techniques, such as storyboarding, scriptwriting, and layout design, in preparation for coursework. - Year 11: Production and Exam Preparation
Students complete a major Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) — a creative media production in response to an Eduqas brief (for example, producing an extract from a television drama, a magazine cover and feature, or a promotional campaign). They also study the full range of set products across print, broadcast and online media in preparation for the final examinations.
How will I be assessed?
|
Component |
Assessment |
Weighting |
Description |
|
1. Exploring the Media |
Written examination (1hr 30) |
40% |
Analyses unseen media products and two set texts. Focus on media language and representation. |
|
2. Understanding Media Forms and Products |
Written examination (1hr 30) |
30% |
Study of television, music video and online media, exploring industry and audience issues. |
|
3. Creating Media Products (NEA) |
Coursework |
30% |
Plan and create an original media product in response to a set brief, demonstrating pre-production and production skills. |
Will I enjoy this course?
You will enjoy Media Studies if you are curious about how media messages influence public opinion and identity, and if you like combining creative and analytical work. The course rewards students who are imaginative, organised and willing to work independently with technology and design tools. Collaboration, research, and the ability to reflect critically on your own work are also key to success.
Progression and careers
GCSE Media Studies provides an excellent foundation for A-Level Media Studies or Film Studies and complements subjects such as English, Art, and Sociology. It also develops transferable skills in analysis, digital literacy, design and communication, relevant to careers in journalism, marketing, graphic design, broadcasting, film and television production, and the creative industries more broadly.
