The Media Studies A-Level course integrates theoretical and practical approaches, equipping students with the necessary knowledge and skills to become active audiences who can approach mass media messages in an analytical, critical and informed way. It introduces students to aspects of media production, both graphic and audio-visual. Over the two years you will be introduced to the foundations of Media Studies’ theoretical framework, its key concepts, terminology and academic theories. You will develop your technical skills with the production of a graphic and audio-visual project involving graphic design, video production and website, using professional software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop and InDesign. Topics covered include media representation, ideology and the relationship between media producers and its audiences, detailed research on the socio-cultural, historical and economic aspects of the UK press as well as aspects of regulation of the mass media. Students learn how to produce informed, critical semiotic analyses of newspapers, adverts, music videos and magazines, focusing on the analysis of media language and representations of socio-cultural issues and debates. Students will also study some aspects of the evolution of film, radio and video games into the digital era, as well as representation and media language in TV dramas, both English and European.