WJEC - GCSE Media Studies - Specifications
Externally Assessed Examination: (at the end of Year 11) 40%
A 2¼ hour exam paper (not tiered) in two parts:
Section A) Thinking about the Media (Investigation): Candidates' knowledge and understanding of a set topic is assessed here.
Section B) Thinking about the Media (Planning): This part of the assessment focuses on the convergent nature of the Media.
Internal Controlled Assessment: (at intervals throughout Year 10 and 11) 60%
For further information about this course, please see Mr. Alexander, Head of Film and Media Studies.
GCSE Film Studies is also available as a double award alongside GCSE Media Studies for students who wish to take both. The course follows the WJEC specification.
External Examinations (50%)
Paper 1: Exploring Film 30% (1 hr 30 minutes)
Four compulsory questions focusing on one film genre. These questions will assess knowledge and understanding of film language and key industry and audience issues. The film genre will be set by WJEC and will change every three years. Genre for first examination in Summer 2013 and last examination in Summer 2015: Superhero Films.
Paper 2: Exploring Film outside Hollywood 20% (1 hour)
Three compulsory questions on one film produced outside Hollywood, chosen from a list prescribed by WJEC. Questions will be based on:
Controlled Assessment (50%)
Exploring and creating
Two main items: a film exploration (two tasks) and a production (four tasks).
1: Exploring a film of the candidate’s choice – two tasks (30 marks)
An exploration of a film of a candidate’s choice consisting of (i) industry research (350-500 words) and (ii) a micro analysis of a short extract from the film (350 – 750 words).
2: Production – four tasks (70 marks)
Candidates create (i) a pitch for an imaginary film (approximately 150 words), use the created pitch to form the basis of (ii) a preproduction (chosen from a list of options) and (iii) a final production (chosen from a list of options). They then complete (iv) a brief evaluative analysis of the final production.
Subject Entry Code
GCSE in Film Studies 0155 01
For Media Studies at AS & A2 Level we follow the WJEC board specification
MS1 - Media Representations and Responses 1291 01
50% Examination consisting of three compulsory questions, including one question on unseen audio-visual or printbased material (interactive media will be presented as print-based)
MS2 - Media Production Processes 1292 01
50% Coursework consisting of one pre-production; one production which develops from the pre-production; and one report on the production process (Group work permitted for audio-visual productions only).
MS3 - Media Investigation & Production 1293 01
25% of the Overall A Level Grade comprising three Coursework components: a written investigation into media text(s) based on one or more of the key media concepts – genre, narrative and/or representation; a media production; and an evaluation of how the production is informed by the investigative research. (Group work permitted for audio-visual productions only).
MS4 - Media Text, Industry and Audience 1294 01
25% of the Overall A Level Grade, an Examination consisting of three questions. In Section A: one question from a choice of two & in Section B: two questions from a choice of four. Candidates must answer each question on a different media industry that they will have studied throughout the year in class.
AS & A2 Film Studies students follow the WJEC course - further information here. Please note that this course is currently being reviewed (in accordance with government requirements). Please see Mr Alexander for further information.