← Media Studies

OCR Vocational Media Studies

Explore your units, one topic at a time.

Ofqual Regulated: 600/6097/9

Course version · 600/6097/9Version from Sept 2020Change version

Choose your course version: the course code is on your timetable or a past paper. Not sure? We’ll start you on the most likely version when you sign up.

Version from Sept 2020601/7258/7 · Cambridge OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Digital Media
Version from Sept 2020600/6097/9 · Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

Official Regulatory Specification

Regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England

View on Ofqual Register

Qualification Number (QN): 600/6097/9
Awarding Organisation: OCR
Regulatory Type: Vocationally-Related Qualification
National Level & Units: Vocational • 20 units

Sector Subject Area: Media and communication

This qualification is officially accredited under the national framework. Credits and certified outcomes are recognised by employers, further education colleges, and training providers throughout the UK.

Qualification Units

20 units

How this qualification is graded

Assessment follows the awarding organisation’s published requirements. Check the exact unit methods and grading rules with your provider.

Introducing media products and audiences

This topic introduces media products and audiences, covering institutions, target audiences, distribution, and ethical/legal issues. Learners must understand the relationship between media and its consumers.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Audio-visual advertising media

This subtopic explores the role and creation of audio-visual advertisements within cohesive advertising campaigns. Learners analyse existing campaigns to understand strategic use of moving-image media, then apply this knowledge to plan, design, and produce their own original audio-visual advert, incorporating feedback and technical skills to meet a client brief.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

5 learning outcomes8 guidance points

Photography for media products

This unit covers photography for media products, including understanding professional photographs, planning, taking, editing, and reviewing images. Learners will produce photographs for a specific media product safely.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

2D games development

This unit covers understanding 2D games and their development, writing a proposal, designing a character, and producing elements for a game level. Learners apply creative and technical skills.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Web authoring and design

This subtopic focuses on the principles and practices of web authoring and design, from analysing existing commercial websites to planning, creating, testing, and reviewing a multi-page website. Learners apply theoretical understanding to practical tasks, developing skills in HTML, CSS, and usability testing to produce a functional website that meets a specific brief and target audience needs.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

6 learning outcomes8 guidance points

Audio-visual media skills

This topic covers pre-production, production, and editing skills for audio media products. Learners will develop practical abilities in creating audio content.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Visual effects for media products

This topic covers visual effects for media products, including understanding techniques, producing pre-production materials, filming footage, and editing to create a sequence with visual effects. Learners must plan and execute a short audio-visual project.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Audio advertising media

This topic covers how audio advertisements are used in campaigns and how to plan, produce, and present original audio ads. Learners will develop skills in campaign planning and audio production.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Graphic design for media products

This subtopic focuses on the creation of promotional graphic design products for media, covering the full process from understanding existing products and generating ideas, through planning and production, to reviewing the final outcomes. Learners will develop practical skills in using design software and applying design principles to create effective promotional materials, while also learning to evaluate their work against professional standards.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

5 learning outcomes8 guidance points

Audio media skills

Audio media skills cover pre-production planning, production recording, and editing. Learners must develop scripts, operate equipment, and edit audio to create a finished product.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Animation production

Animation production involves planning, creating footage, and finalising a short animation. This topic covers the entire production process from concept to final output.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Print media production

Print media production involves understanding print organisations, planning new products, and producing materials. This unit covers the process from concept to finished print product.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Comics and graphic novels

This subtopic focuses on the creative and technical processes involved in producing comics and graphic novels. Learners will explore the conventions of the medium, develop original characters, and plan and produce their own comic panels, applying industry-standard practices.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

6 learning outcomes10 guidance points

2D Games production

This element focuses on the practical skills and planning processes required to create a functioning first level of an original 2D computer or console game. Learners will engage with industry-standard practices to design, produce, and integrate assets into a playable game level, demonstrating competency in game development pipelines and creative problem-solving.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

6 learning outcomes10 guidance points

Print media skills

This subtopic equips learners with the practical abilities to plan, create, and refine print-based media products such as magazines, posters, and leaflets, following industry workflows. Emphasis is placed on applying pre-production skills like research and layout planning, production skills using desktop publishing software, and post-production editing to meet professional standards and target audience requirements.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Sound for media products

Sound elements like dialogue, music, and effects are crucial in media products for storytelling and audience engagement. This topic covers understanding, producing, planning, recording, and editing sound for media.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Planning and producing a media product

This subtopic focuses on the entire pre-production and production process for an original media product, from initial idea generation through to the final output. Learners will develop skills in planning, creating pre-production materials, and producing a finished product that meets a specified brief and target audience.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

6 learning outcomes10 guidance points

Talk and music radio production

This unit covers the production of talk and music radio programmes. Learners will analyse existing programmes, plan new content, and produce a finished programme.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Film and TV media products

This topic involves understanding existing film and TV media products, then planning, producing, and editing a 2-minute segment for an original product. Learners demonstrate practical production skills.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Print-based advertising media

This topic covers understanding, planning, and producing print-based advertisements within an advertising campaign. Learners develop ideas, present for feedback, and create final advertisements.

Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Media

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Tips and common mistakes

Common Exam Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exams

•Confusing target audience with mass audience.
•Overlooking regulatory bodies (e.g., Ofcom).
•Failing to consider digital distribution.
•Producing an audio-visual advert that does not align with the campaign's brand or target demographic.
•Neglecting to consider legal and ethical constraints, such as copyright for music or imagery.
•Over-reliance on technology without a clear creative concept or narrative structure.
•Providing superficial feedback during peer review, lacking specific, actionable suggestions.
•Poor lighting causing underexposed or harsh images.

Top Examiner Tips

Expert advice for exam success

•Use case studies of popular media products.
•Learn key media theories (e.g., uses and gratifications).
•Understand copyright and privacy laws.
•Always relate your practical work back to the client brief and campaign objectives to demonstrate vocational relevance.
•Document every stage of the process, from initial research to final edits, as evidence for assessment criteria.
•Practise using editing software and camera equipment beforehand to minimise technical issues during production.
•In presentations, clearly articulate how your advertisement meets the needs of the target audience and stands out from competitors.
•Learn camera settings: aperture, shutter speed, ISO.

Ready for a little practice?

Create your account to start practising Media Studies.

7 days Premium · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge