media studies coursework

Programmes & Qualifications

Cambridge international as & a level media studies (9607).

• Syllabus overview

Cambridge International AS and A Level Media Studies offers learners the chance to develop an understanding and appreciation of the place of media in our everyday lives. The syllabus enables learners to take a hands-on approach to the subject. 

Through the coursework components - the Foundation Portfolio for AS Level and the Advanced Portfolio for A Level - they create their own media products from planning through to execution. Learners also consider and analyse examples from existing media, examining production processes and technologies and the effects they achieve.

The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.

• -->2021 - 2023 Syllabus update (PDF, 166KB)
• -->2024-2026 Syllabus update (PDF, 139KB)

Syllabus support

• -->Support for Media Studies (PDF, 613KB)

Syllabus updates

We have updated this media studies syllabus as part of a wider review of Cambridge International AS & A Level and made some changes in line with the feedback we received from teachers, subject expert panels and universities. The updated syllabus is for examination in 2022, 2022 and 2023.

How has the syllabus changed?

• We have added a subject content section to make it clearer what needs to be taught. This details skills and understanding relevant to the whole course, as well as showing what should be studied at AS Level and at A Level.
• Representation.
• We have added a list of command words and their meanings to help learners know what’s expected of them in the exam.

How has the assessment changed?

• The assessment objectives (AOs) have been revised and updated and the weightings changed.

Component: 1 Foundation Portfolio:

• The number of marks available in Component 1 has changed to 50 marks.
• Collaborative work has been removed: creative critical reflection must be produced and presented individually.

Component 2: Media texts and contexts:

• The number of marks available in Component 2 has changed to 50 marks.
• In Section A of Component 2 the TV Drama is no longer limited to being American.

Component 3: Advanced Portfolio:

• The number of marks available in Component 3 has changed to 50 marks.
• The Creative critical reflection section has been replaced with an essay of around 1000 words (including guiding questions) focusing on evaluation of the Component 3 process and outcome.

Component 4: Critical Perspectives:

• The number of marks available in Component 4 has changed to 60 marks.
• Section A is no longer an evaluation of the candidate’s own work in the Foundation Portfolio and the Advanced Portfolio. Candidates must now answer two questions from a choice of three focusing on media regulation, postmodern media and power and the media.
• Section B is synoptic and now includes one compulsory question.

When do these changes take place?

The updated syllabus is for examination in June and November 2021, 2022 and 2023. Please see the 2021-2023 syllabus above for full details.

Coming soon

We are developing a wide range of support to help you plan and teach the 2021-2023 syllabus.

Look out for suggested resources and a coursework handbook that will be available from April 2019 onwards through School Support Hub .

Endorsed resources – coming soon

Enable learners to develop a critical understanding of international media as they approach the Cambridge International AS & A Level Media Studies syllabus (9607). Students engage with key topics, from production processes to media regulation, while developing critical thinking and analytical skills. Unpack the pedagogy and get a comprehensive understanding of the assessment through the robust support in the digital teacher’s resource, with a particular focus on guidance for skills development, project-based learning, and differentiation.

Read more on the Cambridge University Press website

Important notices

From 2020, we are changing our policy on the resubmission of moderated coursework. You will no longer be able to resubmit moderated coursework for a future series. Find out how this will impact Cambridge International AS and A Level Media Studies (9607)

For some subjects, we publish grade descriptions to help understand the level of performance candidates’ grades represent.

We paused the publication of grade descriptions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the temporary changes to the awarding standard in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

As the awarding standard has now returned to the pre-pandemic standard, we are working to produce up-to-date grade descriptions for most of our general qualifications. These will be based on the awarding standards in place from June 2023 onwards.

Check the Submit for Assessment page and the samples database for information and guidance on submitting moderated and examined work using Submit for Assessment.

School Support Hub

Teachers at registered Cambridge schools can unlock over 30 000 teaching and learning resources to help plan and deliver Cambridge programmes and qualifications, including Schemes of work, Example candidate responses, Past papers, Specimen paper answers, as well as digital and multimedia resources.

Schemes of work

Example responses, past papers, specimen paper answers.

Register your interest in becoming a Cambridge School

Stay up to date

Sign up for updates about changes to the syllabuses you teach

• Past papers, examiner reports and specimen papers
• Published resources

• Eduqas Home chevron_right
• Qualifications

GCSE Media Studies

For help with e-submission process click here.

Please see our  e-Submissions centre guidance , Media Studies NEA e-Submission Guide , email:  [email protected] , or phone  029 2240 4310 .

Apply now and join our team of examiners.

*Subject dependent, based on marking a full allocation and completion of training (which we pay you to attend).

• Key Documents
• Past Papers / Mark Schemes

The Eduqas media studies GCSE course offers learners the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of these key issues and the ability to debate important questions about the media. It introduces them to a theoretical framework for analysing the media, which also underpins study of the media at AS and A level.

Although the specification focuses predominantly on the contemporary media, this is contextualised and enhanced through the exploration of significant products from different historical periods. Through studying both established and evolving media forms, learners will gain a real awareness of the role of the media in society and culture. The study of a range of rich and stimulating media products is central to this specification, working from the product outwards to develop appreciation and understanding of the media. Learners will draw on their existing experience of the media but will also extend their appreciation and critical understanding through the study of products with which they may be less familiar, including products for different audiences. Choice is an important part of the specification, enabling teachers to select the most appropriate, relevant and engaging products for study for their learners in Component 2.

This specification also recognises the fundamental relationship between theoretical understanding and practical work, providing learners with exciting opportunities to develop media production skills. Learners will apply and develop their knowledge and understanding of media language and representation in relation to media forms and products and become creators of meaning themselves. Learners will be offered a choice of briefs and forms within which to work, enabling them to explore and pursue their own media interests.

The Eduqas GCSE in Media Studies offers a broad, coherent and engaging course of study which enables learners to:

• Demonstrate skills of enquiry, critical thinking, decision-making and analysis
• Acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of important media issues
• Develop appreciation and critical understanding of the media and their role both historically and currently in society, culture and politics
• Understand and apply specialist subject-specific terminology to analyse and compare media products and the contexts in which they are produced and consumed in order to make informed arguments, reach substantiated judgements and draw conclusions about media issues
• Appreciate how theoretical understanding supports practice and practice supports theoretical understanding
• Develop practical skills by providing opportunities for creative media production.

There are no previous learning requirements for this specification. Any requirements set for entry to a course based on this specification are at the school/college’s discretion. This specification builds on subject content which is typically taught at key stage 3 and provides a suitable foundation for the study of A level media studies .

Why choose Eduqas?

• A choice of options for production
• A choice of options for the set products/texts
• Direct access to Subject specialists
• Topics and products/texts chosen to appeal to GCSE students
• Creative work which is central to the course
• Uniform design across GCSE, AS and A level to allow for coherent progression
• Flexibility for teachers to choose relevant and appropriate texts/products
• Unlimited access to free  resources
• Face-to-face professional learning courses
• Support from our  Regional Representatives

Important information, past papers, marking schemes, entry/amendment uploads & make post-results enquiries.

Grade boundaries are the minimum number of marks needed to achieve each grade.

• Digital Resources
• Online Exam Review

Discover FREE Digital Resources!

Unlock your learners’ potential with an impressive range of FREE digital resources, teaching tools and materials.

View resources

WJEC/EDUQAS ENDORSED TITLES

Access a collection of interactive units that bring together a number of elements including general data, exam questions, their marking schemes and examiner comments, which will lead you through a review of exam questions.

Visit OER website

• Upcoming Courses
• On Demand Courses
• Materials from previous events

Download your free Guide to Switching! 

This is a hidden field that will be populated via javascript in preparation for submission to Campaign Monitor letting you know the name of the document the user downloaded

• UC Berkeley
• Letters & Science

Media Studies

Prospective students.

Check out our  Requirements , as well as the Media Studies Major Map .

Welcome and First Steps for New Junior Transfer Students Beginning Fall 2023

Welcome to UC Berkeley! Congratulations on being admitted to the College of Letters & Science!

We are delighted you are interested in applying to the Media Studies major and look forward to advising you. This page is intended to help incoming transfer students prepare for applying to the Media Studies major, as well as answer questions you might have.

Below are a few important dates related to Media Studies , Golden Bear Advising (GBA) , and Golden Bear Orientation (GBO) :

• Golden Bear Advising (GBA) is from June 13 through June 27.
• Media Studies 10 is offered during Summer Sessions 2023 and begins on June 20th . If interested in enrolling during the summer and seats are available, see Summer Sessions 2023 and Transfer Edge .
• Fall 2023 enrollment for new transfer students begins on Tuesday, July 11. Check your specific enrollment dates and times in CalCentral.
• Special information sessions and drop-in advising opportunities beyond the ones open to all students will be sent via announcements to the Media Studies GBA bCourses.
• Check the Cal Events App for a Media Studies – Learn More Session for new transfer students when it is available.
• Visit Berkeley Golden Bear Orientation and see Berkeley GBO: Dates and Deadlines . 

Below are the first steps incoming transfer students should take in preparation to participate in Golden Bear Advising (GBA) and enroll in classes on Tuesday, June 11:

• Get to know us. Read through the Media Studies website , paying particular attention to the Declared Fall 2021 or Later Curriculum on the Requirements page as well as the Applying: Overview and Applying: Prerequisites  pages .
• Complete Golden Bear Advising (GBA) , including your L&S Modules, and watch for bCourses notifications and emails from the Media Studies Program*.
• Identify the Media Studies courses you’ve already completed and make a plan for applying to the Media Studies major. See below, Section A.
• Decide which concentration – Digital Studies , Global Cultural Studies , or Media Law & Policy –you want to pursue. See below, Section B.
• Plan your first semester courses and enroll. See below, Section C.

*If you applied intending another major and are now interested in Media Studies, email [email protected] from your @berkeley.edu email address and ask to be added to our bCourses Group for GBA.

Section A: Identify the Media Studies courses you have already completed and make a plan to take the remaining courses needed to be eligible to apply to the Media Studies major during your first or second semester at Cal.

As a transfer student interested in the Media Studies major, what you plan to take during your first semester at Cal will depend on what prerequisite coursework you completed prior to transferring. Transfer students should start off by reviewing the Applying: Overview and Applying: Prerequisites  pages.

Identify your Media Studies transfer coursework

Notes: 1) It is important that you check assist.org for yourself now. 2) If two community college courses are required to equal one Media Studies prerequisite, make sure you have taken both community college courses; otherwise, you have not satisfied the prerequisite requirement. This can happen with History 7B and Economics 1 equivalents. It could happen with others.) 3) If you satisfied IGETC requirements, it does not mean you satisfied major prerequisite requirements. They different sets of requirements.

• If you attended another school that is not on assist.org , compare the list of Media Studies prerequisites to your other school’s transcript. If you think you have a course that may satisfy any of these prerequisite requirements, you will need to submit a course description and syllabus for review using the Intended Majors Media Studies Course Substitution Form . The decision will be emailed to you.

Plan to apply to the Media Studies Major in your first or second semester at Cal

After you have reviewed the major prerequisites and have identified the requirements you have already satisfied via your transfer coursework, you have got the information you need to determine what courses you need to take to be eligible to apply to the Media Studies major and when you will be able to apply. It is important that you take the courses you need to be eligible to apply to the Media Studies major during your first or second semester at Cal. See Applying: Overview for information about standard and appeal applications.

• If you still need to take Media Studies 10 OR you have two or more prerequisites to complete for the Media Studies major, you are not eligible to apply to the major during your first semester. You must take the remaining courses you need to apply to the Media Studies major and an alternate major during your first semester to prepare to apply to either major your second semester. Students intending high demand majors are advised to have an alternate major. See High Demand Major information on L&S Declare or Change Major page . 
• If you have satisfied all four of the Media Studies prerequisites OR you have satisfied three of the prerequisites, including Media Studies 10, and can enroll in the fourth prerequisite during your first semester* , you are eligible to apply to the major during your first semester at Cal. We encourage you to apply as soon as you are eligible during the relevant application period, preferably the first application period in the semester. We do not accept applications outside the application periods. See Applying: Overview .

*Beginning Fall 2020, all students planning to declare the Media Studies major must complete Media Studies 10 at UC Berkeley if they did not take an approved equivalent at a California community college summer 2020 or earlier per assist.org. Media Studies 10 is offered during Summer Sessions 2023

The Media Studies application is on Applying: Overview . You can access it via the Media Studies homepage too. 

Students applying via a standard application will be admitted to the major, but students applying via an appeal application are not guaranteed admission. See Applying: Overview . 

Media Studies is a high demand/impacted major; because of this, the College of Letters and Science recommends planning for an alternate major while completing prerequisites for high demand/impacted majors. See Exploring Majors & Minors and Declare or Change a Major , which includes some alternate major ideas, on the L&S Office of Undergraduate Advising website .

Section B: Deciding which concentration you want to pursue

The Media Studies major offers three areas of concentration in its curriculum beginning fall 2021 for students to choose:

• Digital Studies
• Global Cultural Studies
• Media Law & Policy

You should take some time to familiarize yourself with the concentrations and decide which one would be best for your academic interests. Students select their area of concentration when they apply to the major, and may begin taking concentration area electives before declaring, so it’s good to determine which concentration you’d like to pursue early on. These electives will be part of your major application GPA, along with your prerequisites, if you complete them before you apply to the major.

Section C: Planning your first semester courses and enrolling

General information/tips.

• Read Courses: Course Enrollment Information on the website.
• Review Courses: Courses by Term on the website. This page includes term-specific courses being offered.
• Look up course descriptions and class meeting information on classes.berkeley.edu.
• Plan to take between 13 to 16 units. We recommend taking 13 units*, the minimum required by the College of Letters and Science, your first semester. It is important to be kind to yourself as you adjust to a new school, new academic community, and new classes. We want you to set yourself up to have a successful first semester and application to Media Studies.
• All courses taken for the Media Studies major must be taken for a letter grade**.
• Make a list of the courses you need and would like to take your first semester. It is important to have an alternate course plan in case you end up on any wait list. If you add yourself to the waitlist for a course, have an alternate course plan and attend both classes. You are not guaranteed a seat in a waitlisted course.

What courses do we recommend you take if you are not eligible to apply to the major your first semester at Cal?

We encourage you to take the courses you need to be eligible to apply to Media Studies and an alternate major at the beginning of your second semester. One of three requirements of a standard application is that transfer students must apply within their first two semesters, so you will need to prioritize remaining prerequisite coursework in your first semester. Below are some possible courses to consider:

• Media Studies 10: Introduction to Media Studies – This course is a must if you have not taken an approved equivalent at your other school before fall 2020 or are not taking Media Studies 10 at UC Berkeley during Summer Sessions 2023.
• Remaining prerequisite(s) for Media Studies – This is important too if you need the prerequisite to be eligible to apply during your second semester.
• Remaining prerequisite(s) for an alternate major or an elective that can work for both Media Studies and an alternate major.
• A major elective–an approved concentration elective or upper-division elective (numbered 100 – 199)  from any of the three concentrations. See  Courses: Courses by Term.
• Do not plan on enrolling in or wait-listing for core courses (Media Studies 111B, 112 or 113) offered by Media Studies. You will need to wait until the semester you are eligible to apply to the major to waitlist or enroll in core courses offered by Media Studies.
• Note: The Media Studies application GPA will include the prerequisites and any course that applies to the major completed before the application is submitted.

What courses do we recommend you take if you are eligible to apply to the major your first semester at Cal?

We encourage you to take two courses for the major and 1-2 other courses to satisfy non-major degree requirements. Below are some possible courses to consider when selecting the two courses to take related to the major:

• Your last remaining prerequisite, if relevant.
• A core course (Media Studies 111B, 112, or 113) if space is available. See  Courses: Courses by Term.
• A prerequisite for an alternate major if you will be submitting an appeal application to Media Studies or do not yet know whether you will be submitting a standard or appeal application. See Applying: Overview .

What other courses do we recommend beyond the ones listed above to help you reach between 13 – 16 units?

• LS 198: Transitioning to Cal: An Introduction to the Research University for Transfers
• LS 10: On the Same Page – Visit On the Same Page to learn more about this exciting fall program for new students. The fall 2023 featured work is a documentary film, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution. 
• A course that could satisfy your American Cultures (AC) requirement if you need one (Note: If you do not know if you need one, you may decide to satisfy this requirement later with a Media Studies elective that is also an AC course.)
• A Big Ideas or L&S Discovery course – special program courses supported by the L&S Deans
• A DeCal class – student created and facilitated courses
• Berkeley Connect – an academic mentoring course

Section D: FAQs

• Q: Where do you go for advice about non-major degree requirements in the College of Letters and Science?
• A: Visit the L&S Office of Undergraduate Advising website and get to know this website well. See Degree Requirements . If you cannot find your answer, ask an L&S College Adviser.
• Q: Where do you go if you have questions not answered on the Media Studies website?
• A: If you have a specific question or two, email [email protected] and include your student ID# in the email. If you have multiple or complex questions, schedule an appointment or come to drop-in advising with a Media Studies Student Academic Advisor, Laura Demir and Chelsea Prieto . Our advising pages include instructions for both meeting options.
• Q: Is there any other information I should review beyond this page?
• A: Yes! We recommend reading through the Golden Bear Orientation page, reviewing the Academic Progress and Planning pages on the L&S Office of Undergraduate Advising website , as well as taking some time to familiarize yourself with CalCentral . Your GBA L&S Modules in bCourses are a must now and will be a valuable resource to refer back to in the future. Read your UC Berkeley emails too. A lot of important information and updates are shared that way from various campus offices.

We look forward to meeting you.

Greetings Fall 2022 New Freshmen, Welcome to Cal! We are delighted you will be joining the University of California, Berkeley academic community and are interested in the Media Studies major. In the beginning, you will be working with the L&S College Advisers in the L&S Office of Undergraduate Advising . Get to know their website. It will be a valuable resource throughout your time at Cal. You will learn a lot through Golden Bear Orientation (GBO) and  Golden Bear Advising (GBA) too. While you may have expressed an interest in Media Studies when you applied to the University, we encourage you to explore all your major options to make the best, informed choice for you. We want you to study what sparks your individual academic interests and make the most of your time at Cal. There are a number of ways to explore majors on campus. A few are listed at the end of this webpage. Read the Media Studies website in its entirety so you will be knowledgeable about the major you are considering. Reading About the Major , Requirements – declared fall 2021 or later (with concentrations) , and course descriptions in the Berkeley Academic Guide Course Catalog will help you determine if your interests match what our major offers. Reading Applying: Overview and Prerequisites will help you plan to complete the major prerequisites if you choose to be an intended Media Studies major.

If you decide you want to be an intended Media Studies major, the College of Letters and Science recommends that you choose to complete the prerequisites for an alternate major in addition to Media Studies, a High-Demand/Impacted  major. See Explore Majors & Minors and Declare or Change Majors on the L&S Office of Undergraduate Advising website .

While we know you are eager to ask questions, we ask that you wait until after you have completed the College of Letters and Science modules in bCourses during Golden Bear Advising (GBA) . Many questions are answered by their modules. See  GBO Dates & Deadlines .

If you have a specific question or two after reading the links above and completing your L&S GBA modules, email [email protected] . You will receive a response from a Media Studies Student Academic Advisor. When you reach out to us for advice, identify yourself as a fall 2022 new freshman, who is exploring the Media Studies major. Student Academic Advisors have advising appointment options too . 

Enjoy your summer! Go Bears! Media Studies Student Academic Advisors

A few ways to explore major options at UC Berkeley:

• Read Explore Majors & Minors and Declare or Change Majors on the L&S Office of Undergraduate Advising website .
• Review the major and minor options listed in the Berkeley Academic Guide . Do not be surprised if you discover a major that you did not know existed.
• Check out the Major Maps that help students plan majors and time at Cal in meaningful ways. 
• Enroll in Letters and Science 1: Exploring the Liberal Arts in Summer 2022 or Letters and Science 1: Exploring the Liberal Arts in fall 2022. These courses will introduce you to many of the intellectual and enrichment opportunities available to you as a student in the College of Letters and Science. Course information will be available in bCourses.
• Take advantage of the wonderful resources at the Career Counseling Library . Explore undergraduate majors, careers, and graduate programs and learn more about yourself in relation to each so you can make good decisions as you plan your future.
• Visit the Career Center website . Their Welcome page is a great place to start searching for information relevant to freshmen.

Greetings Spring 2023 New Freshmen and Transfer Students interested in the Media Studies Major,

We encourage you to read the Media Studies website in its entirety, especially the pages related to applying to the major. See Applying: Overview and Prerequisites .

New Transfer Students, please schedule an appointment with a Media Studies Student Academic Advisor, Laura Demir or Chelsea Prieto, to discuss your spring 2023 enrollments and eligibility to apply to the major. If you are not able to schedule an appointment at a time that works for you, come to drop-in advising. Visit Laura’s advising page or Chelsea’s advising page for availability and instructions for both advising options.  What you should take in the spring is determined by whether you will be eligible to apply to Media Studies in spring 2023, summer 2023, or fall 2023. Be sure to do your L&S Modules in bCourses early when your Golden Bear Advising (GBA) starts on October 4th. See Dates and Deadlines on the Golden Bear Orientation (GBO) website .

New Freshmen, the L&S College Advisers in the L&S Office of Undergraduate Advising will be your main advisers as you start your academic career at Cal. When you have questions about various majors, you can reach out to major advisors too. You may complete three prerequisites for the Media Studies major during your first two semesters at Cal. You must complete two semesters at Cal before enrolling in Media Studies 10.

If you have questions, email  [email protected] . This email address is answered by the Student Academic Advisors. 

All the best,

Laura and Chelsea

Laura  Demir and Chelsea Prieto Media Studies Student Academic Advisors

Announcements

UGIS Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony: Tuesday, May 14th!

Media Studies Alumni Career Panel – November 16, 2023 at 5pm

New to UC Berkeley? Check out the Prospective Students Page!

Media Studies Lecture Series Spring 2023 – Thank you for joining us!

UGIS Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremony: Thank you for attending!

This website works best with JavaScript switched on. Please enable JavaScript

• Centre Services
• Associate Extranet
• All About Maths

GCSE Media Studies

• Specification
• Teaching resources
• Assessment resources
• Introduction
• Specification at a glance
• 3.1 Close study products (CSPs)
• 3.2 Contexts of the media
• 3.3 Extended response and synopticity
• 3.4 Media language
• 3.5 Media representations
• 3.6 Media industries
• 3.7 Media audiences

3.8 Non-exam assessment (NEA)

• Scheme of assessment
• Non-exam assessment administration
• General administration

• music video
• advertising/marketing
• online, social and participatory media
• video games
• use media language in a single media form to express and communicate meaning to an intended audience.

To complete the NEA, students must independently create a media product in response to a brief set by AQA. AQA will release five briefs on 1 March in the year preceding the exam via Secure Key Materials. These briefs will change  annually . The briefs will be linked to the GCSE Media Studies CSPs. AQA will specify the media form and the intended audience for the media product. The media product that is devised and realised by the student must communicate meaning to a specified audience and must draw on what they know and understand about the theoretical framework of media language and representation. Students will submit:

• a Statement of Intent on the form supplied with the NEA brief
• a media product.

The Marking criteria detail what students will be expected to demonstrate and provide evidence of when completing the NEA task. Additional, task-specific indicative content will be issued with each of the briefs Please refer to Non-exam assessment administration for more information about the instructions for conducting the NEA.

The Statement of Intent

Students must complete a Statement of Intent that outlines their aims for their media product. This must be submitted to AQA with the media product.

This Statement of Intent should be a maximum of 300 words long and it should be submitted to the teacher no later than 1 April in the year of assessment. The template for the Statement of Intent will be supplied by AQA in the NEA Student Booklet along with the briefs.

Size and duration of products

Each brief will specify the required length, amount or duration of the media product that must be created.

Unassessed participants

• appear in their media products
• operate equipment under the direction of the assessed student.

All unassessed participants involved in the products must be listed on the Candidate Record Form. Assessed students can only be credited for work they have undertaken themselves or has been completed under their direction. Students and teachers will be required to sign the Candidate Record Form to confirm that this is the case.

Credit can only be given for contributions made by unassessed participants under the clear direction of the assessed student. Details of what each of the unassessed participants contributed to the product and how the assessed student directed that contribution should be listed on the Candidate Record Form.

Time spent on NEA

There is no limit to the amount of time that students can spend on their NEA but we recommend they spend around 30 hours on the physical creation of their products. It should be noted that excessive time spent on this component in the classroom could be detrimental to the overall attainment of the students. Teachers should strike a balance between the completion of the NEA and preparation for the examined components. Additionally, demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework is key to success in the NEA so time spent teaching the framework will inform the NEA products.

Use of non-original material

With the exception of musical performances, students should not use any non-original material in their media products. All images, footage and text is to be created by the student. If a student does use any non-original images, footage or text, they should be aware that their marks will be limited by the marking criteria (see Guidance on applying the marking criteria ). They must acknowledge any non-original material on the Candidate Record Form.

Students do not have to write and record their own musical performances, either to use as part of a soundtrack or in a music video. Musical tracks that they use should be acknowledged on the Candidate Record Form.

Websites and video games

For briefs where website or video game creation is required, students do not need to be able to code. Students can use website design apps, online templates and game design software. Students are responsible for the design of the website or game and the content (such as language, images, audio-visual material) must be created by the student. Students must acknowledge any software or templates which have been used on the appropriate Candidate Record Form.

Marking criteria

Guidance on applying the marking criteria.

Level of response marking instructions are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor. The descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level.

Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s media product, review the product and annotate it and/or make notes on it to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the marking criteria.

Start at the lowest level of the marking criteria and use it as a ladder to see whether the product meets the descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be seen in the student’s product for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and decide if it meets this level, and so on, until you have a match between the level descriptor and the product.

You can compare your student’s product with the standardisation examples to determine if it is the same standard, better or worse.

When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the product. If the product covers different aspects of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best fit approach for defining the level and then use the variability of the product to help decide the mark within the level, ie if the product is predominantly level 3 with a small amount of level 4 material it would be placed in level 3 but be awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the level 4 content.

No marks will be awarded for an answer containing nothing worthy of credit.

If a student only submits a Statement of Intent with no accompanying media product then this should be awarded a mark of zero.

If a student creates an audio-visual product that is longer than the stipulated duration then you should only mark the work that falls within the time limit.

If a student creates a print or online product that exceeds the stipulated length or amount then you should mark all of the pages and only give credit for the best pages up to the number of pages stipulated in the brief.

If a product is shorter than the stipulated size or duration then no penalty is to be applied as the work is likely to be self-penalising – particularly in relation to the Production: Effectiveness in communicating meaning to an audience section.

If a student has used any non-original images, footage or text, or has failed to clearly demonstrate how they directed the activity of any unassessed participants in the media product then they should not be awarded marks above Level 2 in the Production: Effectiveness in communicating meaning to an audience section of the marking criteria.

Statement of intent

In this section students will be awarded marks for their response to the brief and their ability to communicate their knowledge and understanding of language and representation to the reader.

Production: Media Language

In this section students will be rewarded for the degree of expertise they demonstrate in using media language within the chosen media form.

Production: Representation

In this section students will be rewarded for their ability to understand and create representations in the chosen media form.

Production: Effectiveness in communicating meaning to an audience

In this section students will be rewarded for how well their media product communicates meanings and whether or not they have met the requirements stipulated in the brief. Teachers/assessors are to use their professional judgement rather than looking for evidence of testing the product on a live audience.

• Faculty of Arts And Social Sciences
• [email protected]
• +603-79675500

Master of Media Studies (Full Coursework)

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

• Corporate media executive
• Media and communication coordinator
• Strategic communication officer
• Brand marketing officer
• Research writer
• Media entrepreneur
• Media specialist 

COURSE STRUCTURE

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

ENTRY REQUIREMENT

1. Bachelor’s Degree with a CGPA of 3.0 and above or its equivalent; or 2. Applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree of CGPA 2.7 to 2.99 may be considered if they meet at least ONE (1) of the following criteria:  

i. Have relevant work experience at least 5 years; or ii. Produce publications in related fields; or iii. Scholarship recipient; or iv. Graduates from University of Malaya. OR

3. Applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree of CGPA 2.5 to 2.69 may be considered if they meet at least TWO (2) of the criteria in number 2 (i) to (iv) above.

INTAKE SCHEDULE

Click  here  (Local student)

Click  here  (International student)

Last Update: 13/07/2023

• WSU takes a page from Florida and guts my comparative studies department

I arrived at Washington State University in 2002, joining the Comparative American Cultures Department, which consisted of five faculty, six graduate students and two lecturers. We taught 13 sections of ethnic studies (then CAC) 101, totaling 503 students that fall alone. Across the curriculum, we taught about another 10-14 courses, reaching over 300 students. In one semester, over 800 students were able to learn from our faculty, gaining understanding about race and racism, about identity, about the literature, history, and cultures of African American, Asian Pacific Islander, Latino and Indigenous communities.

Ten years (and one name change and merger) later, we were still going strong. We had eight-and-a-half tenured faculty, four lecturers, and five graduate students teaching in our unit. Within 10 sections of Comparative Ethnic Studies 101, we taught 672 students in fall 2012. We taught 18 courses across the rest of the curriculum, serving more than 500 students. In total, close to 1,200 students came through our classes that semester. Evident in not only majors and minors, but the number of students we were teaching across the university, our unit was empowering the next generation with tools necessary to address injustice, racism and inequalities. The unit was strong and thriving.

Now our program is a shadow of itself. We’ve seen the elimination/restart/and now starving of the American studies program. We have four-and-a-half faculty on the Pullman campus and four graduate students teaching. Not surprisingly, in spring 2024, we taught three sections of CES 101 for a total of 156 students; across the rest of the curriculum, we were able to offer six additional classes with a total of 116 students. In a little more than a decade, we have seen a drop from 28 courses to nine (more than 200% reduction) and a loss of more than 900 students (from 1,200 to 272 students). Next year will be even worse.

In recent years, WSU has positioned itself as a leader in equity and justice. Its rhetoric about justice, diversity, equity and inclusion is at best a performance and at worst an effort to conceal the steps backward that would make Florida proud.

The school’s noncommitment to ethnic studies illustrates how hollow and meaningless its rhetoric continues to be. The recent cluster of hires focused on equity and justice represents another failure. These initiatives brought some amazing faculty to campus. Not surprisingly, some are already in the process of leaving. Others are in units without classes to teach that advance this work. 

Rhetoric and statements are not what our students need; they need classes, they need coursework, and they need a community of faculty that will mentor, nurture and empower them to lead on these critical issues. These need spaces and places to advance critical conversations; not tweets from administrators, statements on websites, one-day trainings and performative celebrations of progress that at best conceal the many steps backward and at worst further the injustice and racism that has long plagued this community.

Next time the WSU administration highlights progress made with diversity, equity and inclusion, please remember the systematic destruction of ethnic studies and American studies that happened because of their leadership. The curricular steps backward and the ongoing loss of faculty, staff and students is the canary in the coal mine.

Increasingly, WSU resembles those universities in Florida and other states banning DEI, as it retreats from its stated mission to courageously fight the racism that “looms over our nation’s soul.” Like so much at this university, these words, uttered by campus leaders less than four years ago, are empty as the place that once housed the Department of Ethnic Studies.

Most Read Opinion Stories

• Voters should do their homework on what repeal of climate law means
• Lurid details laid bare in trial of champion of traditional values
• Navy must turn down the volume on Whidbey 'Growler' operations
• Marjorie Taylor Greene, Congress’ agent of chaos, gets her comeuppance

The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.

Popular Guides

Barthes’ 5 Narrative Codes

• Vladimir Propp

Stuart Hall and Representation

• Ferdinand de Saussure and Signs

• The Male Gaze

Stuart Hall’s Reception Theory

• Tzvetan Todorov

Magazine Cover Analysis

Charles Peirce’s Sign Categories

• Roland Barthes

Recently Added

Rule of Thirds

The Classification of Advertisements

Narrative Functions

Negative Space and Media Form

The Speaking-Circuit

Langue and Parole

Gillian Dyer and Lines of Appeal

Exam practice and revision.

Sign Categories in the “Moonlight” Movie Poster

Influencers and the two-step flow theory, identity and billie eilish, character types – princess zelda, software guides.

Introduction to Photoshop

Introduction to WordPress

Examination boards.

(OCR) A-Level Media Studies

(AQA) A-Level Media Studies

WJEC – A Level

WJEC – GCSE

Media Studies

We need to understand and evaluate our relationship with the media because it plays such a significant role in society and shapes our perceptions of the world. Media studies gives us the tools to critically assess the themes, representations, and ideologies encoded within media messages. There are also critical frameworks to help us explore the economic and cultural factors that influence media production.

We need to think about how the media impacts our lives.

Important Links

MS Teams and Google Classroom

Copyright Information

• The Study of Signs
• Charles Peirce’s Sign Categories
• Jean Baudrillard’s Simulacra and Simulation
• Binary Opposition
• Quest Plots
• Barthes’ 5 Narrative Codes
• Key Concepts in Genre
• David Gauntlett and Identity
• Paul Gilroy
• Liesbet van Zoonen
• The Bechdel Test
• bell hooks and Intersectionality
• The Cultural Industries
• Hypodermic Needle Theory
• Two-Step Flow Theory
• Cultivation Theory
• Stuart Hall’s Reception Theory
• Abraham Maslow
• Uses and Gratifications
• Moral Panic
• Camera Shots
• Indicative Content
• Statement of Intent
• AQA A-Level
• Exam Practice