In a world more and more dominated by technology, a world where more and more institutions are owned by fewer and fewer people, it is absolutely vital that you learn how the media communicate with you, what it is that they are saying and why they are saying it. All media products carry a message. You need to know what that message is and then question why that message exists. You need to look at film, TV, the news, advertising, the World Wide Web and many other media products in order to understand what is going on around you - under your very nose.

What is Media Studies @ DLD?

Media Studies is taught in a well equipped media room with an adjoining media suite full of state of the art computers. There is an interactive white board as well as a large screen facility for watching film and TV programmes. A wide range of teaching methods is employed by an enthusiastic team of media teachers. Much of the A level specification revolves around independent research and production work and both teachers are fully experienced at guiding and encouraging such activities.

How is it assessed?

What do I need?

You consume the media all the time. But you probably do not read a quality newspaper every day or watch the news on TV. Or perhaps you rarely watch foreign subtitled programmes or listen to documentaries on the radio. You will need to bring an open mind to media lessons and a willingness to watch and listen to and read media products that may well be quite new to you. You should have a computer at home and you should certainly own a memory stick.

Good subject combinations

This of course depends very much on what your future plans are. We have many students who follow the humanities route and study Media with subjects like English and Sociology. Then there are those who study Media with Art and Photography or Theatre Studies.

It is important to remember that Media Studies combines much that is theoretical with an equal amount that is practical. Indeed at AS 50% of the course involves you in practical productions.

Finally there are those who study Media because in many ways it is possible to argue that it is one of the most important and valuable subjects that exist at A level, combining as it does some Politics, some Sociology, some History some Economics, some creativity, some analysis, some evaluation and above all a critical way of looking at the world.

After DLD

It is now possible to continue your study of the media in virtually every university in the country - either as a single subject or jointly with another subject such as Graphic Design, English, Drama - the list is endless. In fact when you look up Media Studies in the UCAS Guidebook you will probably find yourself spoiled for choice. There are academic studies of the media, vocational degrees that will actually help you train in a particular skill and many other specialist courses available - even a degree in special effects! What is important is that you have a notion of what you want to go on and do after you have a degree. You can then find the degree that fits.

Questions

Do I need to have done Media Studies at GCSE? NO

Can I do the course in one year? IT HAS BEEN DONE. IT INVOLVES A GREAT DEAL OF WORK AND IS VERY TIME CONSUMING.

Is Easter Revision available? NO