Course Content
Component 1: Media Products, Industries and Audiences
Students will focus on analysing Media Language and Representation together with an understanding of Media Industries and Audiences.
Component 2: Media Forms and Products in Depth
Students will assess the media language, representation, media industries, audiences and media texts in Television in the Global Age, Magazines: Mainstream and Alternative Media and Media in the Online Age.
Component 3: Cross-Media Production
Students will create an individual cross-media production based on 2 forms in response to a choice of briefs set by the examination board.
| Component | Assessment | Duration | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Media Products, Industries and Audiences | Written exam | 2h 15m | 35% |
| 2: Media Forms and Products in Depth | Written exam | 2h 30m | 35% |
| 3: Cross-Media Production | Written exam | N/A | 30% |
Year 12
Half Term 1 (Sept-Nov)
Half Term 2 (Nov – Dec)
Half Term 3 (Jan – Feb)
Half Term 4 (Feb – March)
Half Term 5 (April – May)
Half Term 6 (May – July)
Half Term 1 (Sept-Nov)
Focus and Topic
- Teacher A
- Magazines – Vogue and The Big Issue
- Teacher B
- Film Marketing – Black Panther and I Daniel Blake
Core Knowledge
- Magazines
- In this unit you will learn how Vogue (mainstream) and The Big Issue (niche) reflect their historical and social contexts. You will explore how different audiences interpret media language and representations based on their own values and ideologies.
- Film Marketing
- In this unit you will learn how films like Black Panther and I, Daniel Blake are marketed to different audiences. You’ll explore how digital technology and media convergence impact on film production, distribution, and circulation, and how industries use marketing to reach and keep audiences both in the UK and globally.
- In this unit you will learn how films like Black Panther and I, Daniel Blake are marketed to different audiences. You’ll explore how digital technology and media convergence impact on film production, distribution, and circulation, and how industries use marketing to reach and keep audiences both in the UK and globally.
Core Skills
- Research different historical contexts
- Analyse media language and how it is used to create meaning
- Interpret how audiences read media language differently
- Apply theories relevant to the chosen forms
- Evaluate how ownership structures impact on production and marketing
Assessment
- Magazines
- Apply and evaluate theory in relation to both set products
- Film Marketing
- Discuss how industry factors impact on the marketing of both products
Half Term 2 (Nov – Dec)
Focus and Topic
- Teacher A
- Online Media – Zoella and Attitude
- Teacher B
- Radio – Have You Heard George’s Podcast
Core Knowledge
- Online Media
- In this unit you will explore how Web 2.0 has changed digital media, focusing on how audiences are targeted and engaged as prosumers. You will learn how industry context shapes media products, how media language conveys meaning and representations, and how to critically analyze online media through theory. These skills will help you navigate and understand the digital media landscape.
- Radio
- In this unit you will explore how the radio industry has evolved in a digital age. You will learn how industry context shapes radio and podcasts and develop an awareness of historical significance and how programmes have been created and circulated in response to industry and audience demands.
- In this unit you will explore how the radio industry has evolved in a digital age. You will learn how industry context shapes radio and podcasts and develop an awareness of historical significance and how programmes have been created and circulated in response to industry and audience demands.
Core Skills
- Research the evolution of products with explicit reference to the growth of the digital age
- Analyse how audiences will respond differently
- Apply relevant theories to the chosen forms
- Evaluate the usefulness of theory to the understanding of set products
Assessment
- Online Media
- Apply and/or evaluate theory in relation to both set products
- Radio
- Discuss how programmes are constructed to reach and attract audiences
Half Term 3 (Jan – Feb)
Focus and Topic
- Teacher A
- Newspapers Section A
- Teacher B
- Television – Peaky Blinders and The Bridge (Introduction)
Core Knowledge
- Newspapers – Media Language and Representations
- This unit examines how technical elements in newspapers, like layout, photos, and headlines, shape meaning. You will explore genre conventions, representations of gender and class, and how newspapers reflect ideologies. You will also learn about the global processes of newspaper production, distribution, and circulation.
- Television
- In this unit you will be introduced to how television products like Peaky Blinders and The Bridge reflect different social, cultural, and industrial contexts. You will explore media language, representation, and how programmes are produced, distributed, marketed, and regulated. You’ll also examine how audiences are targeted and engaged on both national and global levels.
- In this unit you will be introduced to how television products like Peaky Blinders and The Bridge reflect different social, cultural, and industrial contexts. You will explore media language, representation, and how programmes are produced, distributed, marketed, and regulated. You’ll also examine how audiences are targeted and engaged on both national and global levels.
Core Skills
- Analyse media language and how it creates meaning
- Interpret how audience may respond differently
- Apply theories relevant to chosen form
- Evaluate the usefulness of theory to the understanding of set products
- Compare and analyse products (Television Only) in relation to theory and/or social, cultural, historical and economic context
Assessment
- Newspapers
- Discuss how media language is used to construct political representations
- Television
- Apply/evaluation theory in relation to both set products
Half Term 4 (Feb – March)
Focus and Topic
- Teacher A
- Newspapers Section B
- Teacher B
- Unseen Analysis (Component 1)
Core Knowledge
- Newspapers – Audience and Industry
- This unit explores how the newspaper industry has shifted to digital platforms, exploring strategies like paywalls, subscriptions, and digital ads. You’ll also understand how newspapers target audiences and how industry regulations have evolved in the digital age.
- Unseen Analysis
- In this unit you will explore a range of unseen products in different media forms (newspapers, advertising and marketing and music videos) and develop an understanding of how to analyse how media language is used to construct representations and reflect the context of when it is made.
- In this unit you will explore a range of unseen products in different media forms (newspapers, advertising and marketing and music videos) and develop an understanding of how to analyse how media language is used to construct representations and reflect the context of when it is made.
Core Skills
- Apply knowledge of industry context
- Compare and explain how ownership patterns can shape products
- Evaluate the similarities and differences between products
Assessment
- Newspapers – Section B
- Explain regulation and how it impacts on newspapers
- Unseen Analysis
- Application of knowledge to unseen text
Half Term 5 (April – May)
Focus and Topic
- Teacher A & B
- NEA Coursework
Core Knowledge
- NEA Coursework
- In this unit you will learn how to apply media language, representation, and audience theory to create your own media product. You will develop skills in research, planning, and production while considering your target audience and the media context, drawing on what you’ve learned from studying set products like Vogue and The Big Issue.
- In this unit you will learn how to apply media language, representation, and audience theory to create your own media product. You will develop skills in research, planning, and production while considering your target audience and the media context, drawing on what you’ve learned from studying set products like Vogue and The Big Issue.
Core Skills
- Apply knowledge of the media framework to the development of your own cross-media production
- Develop your own cross-media production using a range of techniques relevant to your chosen form (television, magazine, film marketing or music video)
- Develop skills on software e.g. photoshop, premier, canva or capcut
- Apply knowledge and understanding of the digitally convergent nature of contemporary media
Assessment
- Completion of Statement of Aims and Intentions
- Pre-production planning and presentation
Half Term 6 (May – July)
Focus and Topic
- Teacher A
- Recap/Revision
- Vogue and The Big Issue
- Peaky Blinders and The Bridge
- Zoella and Attitude
- Teacher B
- NEA Coursework
Core Knowledge
- Revision of Component 2
- In this unit you will look at the Component 2 paper as a whole and develop an understanding of the type of questions you will be asked. This will be an opportunity to consolidate knowledge and revisit theories.
- NEA Coursework
- In this half term you will be producing your cross-media production, applying appropriate media language and constructing representations that conform or challenge the given context
- In this half term you will be producing your cross-media production, applying appropriate media language and constructing representations that conform or challenge the given context
Core Skills
- Analyse critically and compare how media products construct and communicate meanings
- Use and reflect critically upon a range of complex theories
- Debate critically key questions relating to the social, cultural, political and economic role of the media
Assessment
- Mock Paper focused on Component 2 Products
- Continuation of Coursework
Year 13
Half Term 1 (Sept-Nov)
Half Term 2 (Nov – Dec)
Half Term 3 (Jan – Feb)
Half Term 4 (Feb – March)
Half Term 5 (April – May)
Half Term 6 (May – July)
Half Term 1 (Sept-Nov)
Focus and Topic
- Teacher A
- Magazines – Vogue and The Big Issue
- Teacher B
- Film Marketing – Black Panther and I Daniel Blake
Core Knowledge
- Magazines
- In this unit you will learn how Vogue (mainstream) and The Big Issue (niche) reflect their historical and social contexts. You will explore how different audiences interpret media language and representations based on their own values and ideologies.
- Film Marketing
- In this unit you will learn how films like Black Panther and I, Daniel Blake are marketed to different audiences. You’ll explore how digital technology and media convergence impact on film production, distribution, and circulation, and how industries use marketing to reach and keep audiences both in the UK and globally.
- In this unit you will learn how films like Black Panther and I, Daniel Blake are marketed to different audiences. You’ll explore how digital technology and media convergence impact on film production, distribution, and circulation, and how industries use marketing to reach and keep audiences both in the UK and globally.
Core Skills
- Research different historical contexts
- Analyse media language and how it is used to create meaning
- Interpret how audiences read media language differently
- Apply theories relevant to the chosen forms
- Evaluate how ownership structures impact on production and marketing
Assessment
- Magazines
- Apply and evaluate theory in relation to both set products
- Film Marketing
- Discuss how industry factors impact on the marketing of both products
Half Term 2 (Nov – Dec)
Focus and Topic
- Teacher A
- Online Media – Zoella and Attitude
- Teacher B
- Radio – Have You Heard George’s Podcast
Core Knowledge
- Online Media
- In this unit you will explore how Web 2.0 has changed digital media, focusing on how audiences are targeted and engaged as prosumers. You will learn how industry context shapes media products, how media language conveys meaning and representations, and how to critically analyze online media through theory. These skills will help you navigate and understand the digital media landscape.
- Radio
- In this unit you will explore how the radio industry has evolved in a digital age. You will learn how industry context shapes radio and podcasts and develop an awareness of historical significance and how programmes have been created and circulated in response to industry and audience demands.
- In this unit you will explore how the radio industry has evolved in a digital age. You will learn how industry context shapes radio and podcasts and develop an awareness of historical significance and how programmes have been created and circulated in response to industry and audience demands.
Core Skills
- Research the evolution of products with explicit reference to the growth of the digital age
- Analyse how audiences will respond differently
- Apply relevant theories to the chosen forms
- Evaluate the usefulness of theory to the understanding of set products
Assessment
- Online Media
- Apply and/or evaluate theory in relation to both set products
- Radio
- Discuss how programmes are constructed to reach and attract audiences
Half Term 3 (Jan – Feb)
Focus and Topic
- Teacher A
- Newspapers Section A
- Teacher B
- Television – Peaky Blinders and The Bridge (Revision)
Core Knowledge
- Newspapers – Media Language and Representations
- This unit examines how technical elements in newspapers, like layout, photos, and headlines, shape meaning. You will explore genre conventions, representations of gender and class, and how newspapers reflect ideologies. You will also learn about the global processes of newspaper production, distribution, and circulation.
- Television
- In this unit you will revisit how television products like Peaky Blinders and The Bridge reflect different social, cultural, and industrial contexts. You will explore media language, representation, and how programmes are produced, distributed, marketed, and regulated. You’ll also examine how audiences are targeted and engaged on both national and global levels.
- In this unit you will revisit how television products like Peaky Blinders and The Bridge reflect different social, cultural, and industrial contexts. You will explore media language, representation, and how programmes are produced, distributed, marketed, and regulated. You’ll also examine how audiences are targeted and engaged on both national and global levels.
Core Skills
- Analyse media language and how it creates meaning
- Interpret how audience may respond differently
- Apply theories relevant to chosen form
- Evaluate the usefulness of theory to the understanding of set products
- Compare and analyse products (Television Only) in relation to theory and/or social, cultural, historical and economic context
Assessment
- Newspapers
- Discuss how media language is used to construct political representations
- Television
- Apply/evaluation theory in relation to both set products
Half Term 4 (Feb – March)
Focus and Topic
- Teacher A
- Newspapers Section B
- Teacher B
- Unseen Analysis (Component 1)
Core Knowledge
- Newspapers – Audience and Industry
- This unit explores how the newspaper industry has shifted to digital platforms, exploring strategies like paywalls, subscriptions, and digital ads. You’ll also understand how newspapers target audiences and how industry regulations have evolved in the digital age.
- Unseen Analysis
- In this unit you will explore a range of unseen products in different media forms (newspapers, advertising and marketing and music videos) and develop an understanding of how to analyse how media language is used to construct representations and reflect the context of when it is made. You will compare these against products previously studied.
Core Skills
- Apply knowledge of industry context
- Compare and explain how ownership patterns can shape products
- Evaluate the similarities and differences between products
Assessment
- Newspapers – Section B
- Explain regulation and how it impacts on newspapers
- Unseen Analysis
- Application of knowledge to unseen text
Half Term 5 (April – May)
Focus and Topic
- Revision
- Advertising -Tide, Kiss of the Vampire, Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games audio-visual
- Music Videos – Riptide and Beyonce
- Newspapers – The Mirror and The Times
- Film Marketing – Black Panther and I Daniel Blake
- Radio – HYHGP
- Video Games – Assassin’s Creed
Core Knowledge
- Revision
- You will revise products and theories across the specification, applying theory and revisiting knowledge of contexts.
- You will revise products and theories across the specification, applying theory and revisiting knowledge of contexts.
Core Skills
- Analyse critically and compare how media products construct and communicate meanings
- Use and reflect critically upon a range of complex theories
- Debate critically key questions relating to the social, cultural, political and economic role of the media
Assessment
- Component 1 Exam
Half Term 6 (May – July)
Focus and Topic
- Revision
- Television – Peaky Blinders and The Bridge
- Magazines – Vogue and The Big Issue
- Online Media – Zoella and Attitude
Core Knowledge
- Revision
- You will revise products and theories across the specification, applying theory and revisiting knowledge of contexts.
- You will revise products and theories across the specification, applying theory and revisiting knowledge of contexts.
Core Skills
- Analyse critically and compare how media products construct and communicate meanings
- Use and reflect critically upon a range of complex theories
- Debate critically key questions relating to the social, cultural, political and economic role of the media
Assessment
- Component 2 Exam
Key Info
- Start Date: September 2026
- Awarding Body: EDUQAS
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Course Length: 2 Years
Entry Requirements
TBC
Complementary Subjects
The course also compliments studies in Music,
English Language and Media Studies.
Career Opportunities
A Level Drama and Theatre will prepare you for
specialist Drama and Theatre courses in higher
education.
It also provides an excellent foundation for students
to pursue careers in Acting, Performing Arts,
Community Arts Worker, Theatre Director and
Teaching.