Changes to 4 Unit A levels

As most of you will be aware, all GCE A levels are to be re-structured over the coming months as the basis of the Government’s transformed system of education. One of the key aspects to the re-structuring is the move from six unit courses to four unit specifications. Awarding Bodies have to submit draft specifications to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in Autumn 2006 with a view to approval being obtained and final versions of the new specifications being in Centres in September 2007, ready for first teaching in September 2008.

Along with the other Awarding Bodies which offer A level Media Studies, OCR is currently involved in working with QCA to develop a set of common Subject Criteria for Media Studies which will form the basis of all new A level specifications in Media.

The subject criteria set out the aims of studying the subject together with the knowledge, understanding, skills and assessment objectives which will be common to all of the new GCE A levels.

Draft criteria have been agreed and you can view these and take part in the QCA’ consultation exercise by visiting the QCA website