Media A Level - Level 3
Overview
High demand, limited places - Apply now for September 2025!
With record-breaking applications in recent years, many courses for September 2024 were already full by spring time. Due to an increasing number of school leavers in our local area, the same high demand is expected for September 2025.
Apply early to secure your place and avoid disappointment!
On this course, you will be taught how to analyse the various forms of media language and representations that we consume every day to develop your ability to deconstruct a variety of texts. You will also learn how media products are encoded with meaning by those who create them, and how this affects an audience’s response. Alongside this, you will study the industry behind media products, and how this influences the way products are produced, distributed and circulated.
This A Level will give you a broader knowledge of media forms including newspapers, advertising and marketing, film, music video, radio, video games, magazines, television and online, social, and participatory media. You will study a variety of close study products across these forms to enable you to apply your knowledge of the theoretical framework. You will also learn a variety of key terms and theories from a selection of key thinkers to enable you to analyse and evaluate these products more effectively. You will also undertake a creative project, applying the skills you have learned to research and create your own media products.
What does this combine with?
What our students say
Evie talks to us about the exciting opportunities studying A Levels with us has presented her, including how it differs from school, using the West Notts Travel Pass, and her plans to progress onto university.
What will I study?
Investigating and creating media, critical perspectives and research and producing media.
Entry requirements
- Five GCSEs grade 4-9 including GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths.
Following your application you will normally be offered a place subject to achieving the entry requirements and attending a welcome taster.
Study programmes - essential skills for employment
If you’re aged 16-18 (or 19-25 with an EHC Plan), we want to make sure you have the best possible chances of landing an awesome job once you finish college.
Therefore, if you do not have GCSE grade 4-9 in either English Language or Maths, you will study one or both of these courses alongside your full-time study programme. If you do have GCSE grade 4-9 in English Language and Maths then you will not be required to undertake these subjects. By doing so, you'll be building a stronger set of skills that will significantly boost your employability in the future.
Think of it as a chance to supercharge your knowledge and abilities. You'll be equipped with the tools necessary to tackle the world beyond college with confidence. Plus, we'll be right here to support you every step of the way.
How long is the course?
Two years.
How will I be assessed?
This course is assessed by two written exams at the end of the two-year programme, alongside a non-exam assessment produced independently throughout the second year.
What does the course lead to?
Careers are often pursued as a public relations officer, photographer, journalist, editor, art officer, broadcaster, marketing professional and more.
What can I progress onto?
Further study at university-level* in communications and media-related subjects such as journalism, TV production and broadcasting.
*As we are a partner college of Nottingham Trent University (NTU), you may qualify for various benefits should you choose to apply to NTU after completing your college course. This could include a Progress NTU offer, where you would receive an offer one grade below their standard offer. For instance, a typical offer for one of their courses might require 128 UCAS tariff points. With Progress NTU, your requirements would be 120 UCAS tariff points. For further details, please call us on 0808 100 3626 or discover more about this benefit here.
How do I apply?
You don’t need to apply for each A Level course you are interested in individually.
Once we have received your application form we will invite you into college where we will be able to discuss every aspect of the courses you have chosen as well as any alternatives you may be considering.
You will also have the opportunity to visit the areas of the college used for your course choices.
Apply online