GCSE Media Studies Topics by Exam Board: Full List

Key Takeaways

• GCSE Media Studies explores how media texts create meaning through language, representation, industry and audience

• You’ll study newspapers, TV, film, advertising, music videos and more

• Three main exam boards offer the course: AQA, Eduqas and OCR

• You’re assessed through written exams analysing studied products and unseen sources 

Introduction

You’re thinking about taking GCSE Media Studies as an option, or already taking it, and you want a full list of topics. Good thinking! Understanding what’s on the course will prepare you for assessments and help you with exam revision. 

You’ve probably already found out that there are different exam boards that offer GCSE Media Studies. You’ll know, then, that each course varies a little. This is why it’s good to check exactly what you’ll be studying with a full list of GCSE Media Studies topics by exam board. 

The three main exam boards offering GCSE Media are AQA, Eduqas, and OCR. Let’s go through them one at a time. 

AQA GCSE Media Studies Topics

AQA (opens in a new tab) gives you nine set media products to study in depth, such as: 

• Television

• Film

• Radio

• Newspapers

• Magazines

• Advertising and marketing

• Online, social and participatory media

• Video games

• Music video

You’ll learn about the social, cultural, economic, political and historical contexts that shape media production and consumption.

AQA’s course centres around understanding media through the theoretical framework: 

• Media language:

  • Visual codes, symbols, technical codes, language and mode of address

  • Camera shots, editing, mise-en-scène, sound, typography, colour and layout

• Representation:

  • Social groups, events and issues

  • Stereotypes, selection and construction of content, and whose voices are heard or silenced

• Media industries:

  • Who creates media, how it's produced, regulated and distributed

  • Ownership patterns, public service versus commercial media, regulation bodies and how technology affects production

• Audiences:

  • Who consumes media and how

  • Audience positioning, targeting, effects theories, and interpretations 

You'll apply these four concepts to everything you study.

Assessment Structure

Here’s a breakdown of how you’ll be assessed. 

Eduqas GCSE Media Studies Topics

Eduqas (opens in a new tab) also uses the theoretical framework, with particular emphasis on Welsh and UK media contexts. Their GCSE course integrates this framework when you study products. 

With Eduqas, there’s a focus on social, cultural and political contexts, and how media reflects and shapes society.

You’ll study eight set media products across different forms, such as: 

• Film marketing campaigns

• Newspapers

• Television crime dramas

• Music marketing

• Advertising campaigns

• Magazines

• Video games

• Radio

You can see the set list changes for 2026 and 2027 on their specification, linked above. 

Assessment Format

Here’s how Eduqas breaks down their GCSE:

OCR GCSE Media Studies Topics

OCR (opens in a new tab) emphasises practical media literacy alongside theoretical understanding, with slightly fewer set products but deeper focus on each.

You’ll study media forms like:

• Television

• Film

• Advertising

• Newspapers

• Radio

• Online media

• Music video

• Video games

OCR structures the course around the theoretical framework of:

• Media language

• Representation

• Audience

• Industry

• Media contexts

Assessment Structure

OCR uses two written papers worth 35% each, with coursework accounting for 30%.

Comparing the Exam Boards

All three boards cover the same fundamental concepts. They just package them differently. 

Here’s a simple break-down: 

Tips for Revising GCSE Media Studies

Master the Framework 

Whether your board calls them "key concepts" or "the theoretical framework", make sure you can discuss media language, representation, industries and audiences. 

Create time-tested flashcards for concepts and examples from your set products.

Know Your Set Products Inside Out 

You should be able to write detailed paragraphs about each set product from memory. Use the funneling revision technique for concepts, forms, representations, and contexts.

Practice Unseen Analysis 

Find media texts and practice analysing them, applying the framework to each. Look at: 

• Magazine covers

• Film posters

• Newspaper front pages

• Music videos

Learn Key Terminology

Make a glossary of technical terms and theorists to help you articulate yourself like a GCSE Media student. 

Use Past Papers 

Use our exam board specific past papers and mark schemes. 

Time yourself to practise under exam conditions, then mark yourself to see where you can improve.

Watch and Read Actively 

Everything you consume is media! 

• Watch TV shows

• Scroll Instagram

• Read newspapers

Do it actively. Ask yourself how language, representation, industry and audience apply.

Stay Current 

Follow media news, and understand current debates about regulation, representation and industry changes. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all exam boards study the same media products?

No. Each exam board chooses different set products. Your teacher will tell you exactly which products you're studying. 

How do I revise unseen media texts?

Regular practice! Find media texts online or in everyday life: magazine covers, adverts, film posters, social media posts. Ask yourself: 

• What techniques create meaning? 

• How are groups represented? 

• Who's the target audience? 

• Which companies produced this and why? 

Your teacher might also have unseen sources, or you could look through past papers.

What media theorists do I need to know?

This depends on your exam board. You can find the theorists you’ll study in the AQA guide (opens in a new tab), the list of OCR theorists (opens in a new tab), and on the Eduqas media studies guide (opens in a new tab). 

Some typical theorists include Propp, Hall, Bandura, Shirky, Brumler, and Katz. Ask your teacher which ones you’ll need to know.  

Final Thoughts

GCSE Media Studies rewards students who can think critically about the world around them. Every advert, TV show, news article and social media post is an opportunity to practice your analytical skills. 

Whatever exam board specification your school follows, the core skills remain the same. You’ll learn how meaning is created, understand who makes media and why, recognise how representation works, and consider how audiences engage with texts.

Use this guide to structure your revision. Focus on your set products, practice unseen analysis regularly, master the theoretical framework, and you'll walk into your exams feeling prepared and confident.

Want to know more? 

Thinking of becoming a journalist? Read our article on what GCSEs you need for journalism. 

Maximise your Media Studies revision with Save My Exams. Browse our GCSE Media Studies resources or our top tips on effective GCSE revision. 

With Save My Exams, your revision resources are created by experienced educators and examiners who actually mark GCSE exams, so you’ll know exactly what to revise and how to answer questions for top marks.

References: 

AQA GCSE Media Studies Specification (opens in a new tab)

WJEC Eduqas GCSE (9-1) in - MEDIA STUDIES SPECIFICATION (opens in a new tab)

OCR GCSE Media Studies Specification (opens in a new tab)

AQA Theory and Teaching Guide (opens in a new tab)

OCR Theorists (opens in a new tab)

Eduqas Media Studies Guide (opens in a new tab)