Home | Courses | Media, Film & Esports | Media Studies

Media Studies

We live in a world of competing messages, with many of these circulating via the interconnected industries that we call ‘the media’. No matter which one of our media studies course you choose, you will learn to make sense of these messages, and the ideologies contained therein.

At QMC, we offer three different Media Studies courses which are, Media Studies A Level, Creative Media Production and Technology Vocational Single or Extended.

Across all of our Media Studies courses, our students receive a wealth of technical expertise and industry-standard equipment which enables them to excel. Students have access to a computer suite fully equipped with the latest Adobe package (including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro and After Effects). Students also have access to Lumix and Black Magic cameras and a TV studio.

Whether you prefer practical work or theoretical exploration, the department has something to offer any driven individual to explore the media in greater depth. Media Studies lessons take place across a series of rooms at The QMC School of Creative Arts housed in the Allen Building, a purpose-built creative space.

Student Graphic work

IMG 1617 (1)

Student Graphic work

IMG 6883

Copy Of Vocational1 (2)

Copy Of Vocational2 (2)

Copy Of Media Studies Mag1 (1)

Copy Of Media Studies3

Copy Of Media Studies Mag 2

Copy Of Vocational4 (1)

Copy Of Vocational3 (1)

Copy Of Workshops3

Amy Harper Media Work

Elle Rixon Media Work

Izzi Poster Media Work

Copy Of Studio1

IMG 5209

IMG 5992 (1)

IMG 6007 (1)

IMG 6088 (1)

IMG 5197

Which course should I pick?

All of the media courses cater to students who have a keen interest in the world of media and aim to develop their creative skills within this field. You will be able to explore a variety of exciting media forms such as film, television production, video game design, podcasting, graphic design and more. Additionally, the media courses will help you develop skills in researching, analysing, planning and creating media products.

Media A Level follows an academic approach, focusing on critical analysis and examination of media content, history and cultural impact, covering nine key areas of media. It is assessed by a combination of written examinations and coursework portfolios.

Both of the Creative Media Production and Technology Vocational course, whether Single or Extended, have a strong practical emphasis. Whilst they are both 100% coursework based, the Single course is based on 8 units and the Extended course is based on 13 units. This is as the:

Creative Media Production and Technology Vocational Single course is equivalent to 1 A Level.
Creative Media Production and Technology Vocational Extended course is a full time course equivalent to 3 A Levels.

No matter which Media Studies course you choose, all three provide you with options in terms of your preferred learning style, career goals and academic interests within the media sector.

Where can Media Studies take me?

In addition to gaining a detailed knowledge of the various media sectors, students are expected to leave the course with enhanced skills in a range of key areas, including: creative thinking, problem-solving, effective communication and self-management. You will develop transferrable skills through written assessments, client based briefs, strict deadlines, independent study, research, time management and presentation. You will also develop an understanding of the media industry through analysing media representations and pitching and producing media projects.

Many of our ex-students have continued their study of the media at university, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Others have taken the skills they have acquired by studying Media Studies and progressed on to pursuing other courses in higher education. Universities attended by our ex-students include: Bournemouth University; King’s College, University of London; University of Southampton; Southampton Solent University; and University of Warwick.

Arianna

Daisy Roberts Silverthorne

Paul Lovelock

Alumunus And Alumnae Collage (2)

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

You will be given the opportunity to go on trips to enhance your experience through visiting key institutions and locations and engaging in activities away from the classroom. Recently, we visited Pinewood Studios, the British Film Institute and saw the Kubrick exhibition at the Design Museum. We’ve also looked at exhibitions of work by experimental filmmakers at the Tate Gallery. We believe that these experiences are vital to your development as a student and would urge you to take these opportunities whenever you can. To see more photos from our trips please look on our Instagram page.

One of the many experiences we offer is our annual trip to LA in the second year. We stay in Studio City, where many silent and classic Hollywood films were shot. The students who come with us get an amazing experience, and we visit many famous locations, but also some of the major studios for guided tours including Sony, Warner Brothers and Universal.

As well as the work you produce for your A level, you will be given opportunities to enter local and national competitions and engage in projects outside of your normal studies. We regularly have talks from universities, professionals and companies to give you a broader understanding of future options. We are currently working closely with the Exit 6 Film Festival, and we arranged a visit to Pinewood Studios with locally-based Sony.

We also offer enrichments within the department, such as Film Club, to help develop your understanding and give you a broader experience which will benefit your future ambitions. View more enrichment opportunities here.

Media Universal Studios Trip 2018

Copy Of Pinewood Studios Trip (1)

Media Universal Studios Trip 2018

Copy Of Bournemouth Uni Trip (1)

View Course Description and Entry Requirements

Work Experience

Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) – Visual Effects and Animation Virtual Work Experience Placement.

Industrial Light & Magic is an American motion picture visual effects company that was founded in May 1975 by George Lucas. It is a division of the film production company Lucasfilm, which Lucas founded, and was created when Lucas began production of the film Star Wars. Students completed a three-day virtual work placement where they worked in teams to recreate a scene from one of ILM’s previous projects, they also heard from several ILM staff about the diverse job roles in the VFX industry. Quotes from two of the students below:

Crystal Frazer

“Doing the work experience with Industrial Light and Magic helped me to gain a lot more knowledge about Behind The Scenes and visual effects for big blockbuster films, I was able to ask several professionals about their careers and the path they went on to get where they are today. The work experience boosted my confidence not only with my social skills but also my confidence within myself and my creative skills. I was able to meet several new students online, and work alongside them to completely recreate a scene from Jurassic Park. Industrial Light and Magic were very welcoming to begin with and helped me to gain a positive attitude towards my future career, I am very grateful to have been a part of that experience, if I could, I would relive it several times just because the experience was truly that amazing.”