WJEC GCSE Media Studies Revision
Adaptive practice aligned to the Welsh Joint Education Committee (Eduqas) specification. 8 topics, exam-style questions, and instant AI feedback.
About WJEC GCSE Media Studies
WJEC is the principal exam board in Wales and also offers qualifications in England under the Eduqas brand. Their specifications are known for accessible language and clear assessment objectives.
GCSE Media Studies teaches you to analyse and create media products across a range of forms including advertising, film, television, radio, newspapers, magazines, online media, and video games. You will study how media language, representation, audience, and industry shape the products we consume every day.
Topics in WJEC GCSE Media Studies
Study Tips for WJEC Media Studies
Learn the theoretical framework thoroughly: media language, representation, audience, and industry. For every product you study, be able to analyse it through all four of these lenses.
Study your set products in detail. Know specific scenes, shots, headlines, or design choices and be able to explain what they communicate and how they position the audience. Vague references will not earn marks.
Familiarise yourself with key media theories — uses and gratifications, encoding/decoding, cultivation theory, and theories of representation. Being able to apply named theories to products shows sophisticated analysis.
For your practical production (NEA), plan meticulously before you start creating. A strong statement of intent and evidence of research into similar products are essential for the higher mark bands.
Exam Tips for WJEC Media Studies
In the exam, analyse rather than describe. Do not just say a close-up shot is used — explain why it is used and what effect it has on the audience. The examiner wants to see your understanding of how media language creates meaning.
When comparing media products, structure your answer around specific points of comparison rather than discussing one product then the other. This shows genuine analytical thinking and earns more marks.
For questions about media industries, know specific facts — ownership, regulation, funding models, and distribution methods. Generic answers about the media industry being important will not score highly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is GCSE Media Studies assessed?
Typically 70% written exam (two papers) and 30% non-exam assessment (a practical media production). The exam papers test your knowledge of set products, media theory, and your ability to analyse unseen material.
Is GCSE Media Studies respected by universities?
It is accepted by most universities as a valid GCSE. Russell Group universities sometimes list it among less preferred subjects for certain courses, but for media, communications, and creative arts degrees it is directly relevant and valued.
What set products do I study?
This depends on your exam board. Examples include specific newspaper front pages, TV drama extracts, advertisements, music videos, film marketing campaigns, radio programmes, and video games. Your teacher will provide the exact list.
What do I make for the practical production?
You create a media product to a brief set by the exam board — this could be a magazine, a website, a film trailer, a music video, or a print advertisement. You also write a statement of intent explaining your creative choices.
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