The Avon Valley School & Performing Arts College
Media Studies – GCSE or BTEC
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Media Studies has been an incredibly popular and successful subject at The Avon Valley School for
many years.
Students will develop analytical skills, focussing on pre-existing media texts to identify genre,
narrative and representation whilst consistently identifying methods used by organisations to
generate and maintain audience appeal. Alongside these analytical skills students will plan, develop
and create a range of digital media products using software used by professionals within various
media industry sectors. By the time students complete courses in Year 11 they will have had the
opportunity to use the full Adobe Creative Suite and will be proficient in the use of Photoshop,
InDesign, Premiere Pro and a range of other software.
Due to the current ever changing nature of our technological society, the Media and Entertainment
Industry is one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Predictions state that by 2020 the UK
sector alone will be worth £68.2 billion and as this expansion continues there will need to be more
people working within this industry. In recent years a number of students have gone on to study
media at Post-16 – some are currently completing university courses and hoping for careers within
the industry.
Students with an interest in popular culture should definitely consider Media Studies, with any of the
following careers an option for anyone with the correct work ethic and talent:
Graphic Designer
Events Manager
Copywriter
Photographer
Video Camera Operator
Illustrator
Digital Visual Artist
Journalist
Researcher (TV, Newspapers)
Web Designer
Video Game Developer
TV/Film Editor
TV/Radio Presenter
Media Studies is offered at GCSE or BTEC. Both courses are equally as valid, and suit a different
style of learner.
The GCSE follows a more traditional pathway, with 30% coursework and 70% exam at the end of
Year 11.
The BTEC is more suited to students who prefer a more practical approach to their studies, with
75% controlled assessment and 25% exam, usually not taken at the end of Year 11.
Contact Staff: Mr Owen
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