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Media A Level

Overview

IMPORTANT
Applications are now open for academic year 2026/2027, but our full-time courses are still being finalised. If your chosen course changes, we'll contact you to offer a suitable alternative that matches your goals. For more information, call our Enquiries Team on 0808 100 3626.

This course can be studied alongside 2 A Levels or 1 A Level and 1 vocational course (as part of our 2+1 offer).

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?

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What will I study?

Investigating and creating media, critical perspectives and research and producing media.

  • Entry requirements
    • Five GCSEs grade 4-9
    • An overall average of a grade 4*.

    Following your application you will normally be offered a place subject to achieving the entry requirements and attending a welcome taster.

    *To work out your grade average, add all of your grades together and divide by the number of GCSEs you've taken. If you need help, please contact our Enquiries Team on 0808 100 3626 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

  • Assessment

    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.

  • Progression

    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.

  • Careers

    Careers are often pursued as a public relations officer, photographer, journalist, editor, art officer, broadcaster, marketing professional and more.

  • Qualifications gained
    • Advanced GCE in Media Studies
    • AQA
  • Studying A Levels at WNC

    Discover what it is really like to study with us. Explore the full range of courses available, hear from our students, see the facilities you will train in, and discover the employer partners you could work with.

    You can also browse galleries and get a real feel for college life before you apply.

    Visit the subject area page

Disclaimer

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information on the website is correct, some details may be subject to change. West Nottinghamshire College reserves the right to make amendments to the courses, dates, fees or other details, and to make cancellations or changes if numbers are insufficient. In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel a course we will refund your fees in full, but we regret we are not able to offer any refund if you withdraw from your course or fail to start, and you will be liable to pay any outstanding fees that may be due.

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