Media Studies | The Royal Belfast Academical Institution

Department

Media Studies

Level

KS4, KS5

Head of Department

Ms Z Huston

Members of Dept

Mr M Smith (Media Technician), Mr S Douglas, Mrs K Walsh

Gallery

Why study Media Studies?

Media industries have become an increasingly significant aspect of the NI Economy and further education, training and job opportunities within this sector have expanded exponentially. Media Studies is a stimulating, creative subject that helps pupils to develop skills and attitudes that are valuable for employment both within the creative industries and in any career. This course offers pupils a unique insight into the mass media, developing a critical understanding of media products, industries and audiences across the worlds of print, radio, TV, film and new digital technologies.

Through its study, pupils develop analytical, research and practical production skills and this course offers an excellent foundation for a wide range of careers in media industries such as advertising, journalism, graphic design, film, television and radio production, marketing and promotion or for those who wish to pursue further study.

What Media Studies offers?

Key Stage 4

At GCSE Level, pupils study components 1, 2 and 3 of the Eduqas GCSE Media Studies Revised Specification: https://www.eduqas.co.uk/media/1ckd54eo/eduqas-gcse-media-studies-spec-from-2017-e-2.pdf

Component 1: Exploring the Media Written examination (1hr 30 = 40% qualification) involves study of advertising, magazines, film, newspapers, radio and videogames.

Component 2: Understanding Media Forms and Products Written examination (1 hr 30 = 30% qualification) focuses on study of television and the music industry.

Component 3: Creating Media Products Non-exam assessment (30% qualification) is an individual media production for an intended audience in response to a choice of briefs set by Eduqas

Key Stage 5

During year 13, pupils study units 1 and 2 of the WJEC Media Studies Revised Specification: https://www.wjec.co.uk/media/0zohosqo/wjec-gce-media-studies-spec-e-08-04-24.pdf

AS Unit 1: Investigating the Media Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes (24% of qualification) consists of study of advertising, music video, news in the online age and film industries.

AS Unit 2: Creating a Media Production Non-exam assessment (16% of qualification). Pupils produce a portfolio, including individual research and planning, created in response to a choice of briefs set by WJEC.

At A2 level pupils study Units 3 and 4 of the specification:

Unit 3: Media in the Global Age Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes (36% of qualification) focuses on television, magazines and videogames.

A2 Unit 4: Creating a Cross-Media Production Non-exam assessment (24% of qualification). Pupils create print and AV media products informed by individual investigative research and development, created in response to a choice of briefs set by WJEC.

Exam Success

RBAI Media Studies results continue to be consistently higher than NI and UK yearly averages, at GCSE, and A level with many pupils achieving top grades.

A2 2023: 83% A*-B
AS 2024: 93% A*- C with one pupil, Callum Grant, achieving full marks in his exam.
GCSE 2023: 92% A*-B

Beyond the Classroom

Scholarships, masterclasses and skills workshops such as the BFI Film Academy programme, CINE, Screenworks and INTO Film have become instrumental in developing pupils’ talents and supporting their studies, giving them an insight into the creative industries, hands on experience to develop their production skills and knowledge of career pathways as well as building connections with peers and professionals. This has resulted in a significant number of talented pupils entering further education within the sector and either progressing into the creative industries subsequently or straight from school as in the case of Jude McCann who managed to beat all the competition (100+entrants) to join the BBC Sports reporting team in September 2023.