AQA
GCSE
MEDIA STUDIES
Close Study Products
For candidates entering for the 2023 examination.
To be issued to candidates at the start of their course of study.
Information
• These Close Study Products (CSPs) have been selected as a starting point for the analysis of
media products as part of the GCSE Media Studies course.
• Some questions in the GCSE Media Studies Examination Papers will focus on these CSPs.
• All of these products must be studied.
• It is advised that this list is supplemented with other products.
• This booklet cannot be taken into the examinations.
, 2
Close Study Products
Introduction
What are Close Study Products?
Close Study Products (CSPs) are a range of media products that you must study in order to meet the
requirements of the specification and prepare for the exams. A ‘product’ means something produced
by a media industry for a media audience, for example, a television programme, a website or a video
game.
How are the CSPs chosen?
The CSPs are chosen by the exam board. Between them, they enable you to study examples of all the
following media forms:
• Television
• Film
• Radio
• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Advertising and marketing
• Online, social and participatory media
• Video games
• Music video.
Some of these forms must be studied in-depth: including at least one audio/visual form, one print form
and one online, social and participatory media form.
At the time of selecting each CSP the content was checked to ensure it was age appropriate;
however media content is not static and therefore it may become inappropriate. If you identify any
inappropriate content please notify us at so we can investigate and take
any necessary action.
What does ‘in depth study’ mean?
The forms you will study in depth are:
• Television
• Newspapers
• Online, social and participatory media
• Video games.
For this specification you will study some linked online, social and participatory media products in
conjunction with associated video games.
8572/CSPs/2023
, 3
You will explore these forms and associated CSPs in relation to all four elements of the GCSE Media
Studies Theoretical Framework:
• Media Language
• Media Representations
• Media Industries
• Media Audiences.
What about the forms and products that aren’t studied ‘in depth’?
The other forms and products must be dealt with just as thoroughly, but only in relation to one or two
of the elements of the media framework, as follows:
Media Language and Media Representations
• Magazines
• Advertising and marketing
Media Industries and Media Audiences
• Radio
• Music video
Media Industries
• Film
As with the in-depth CSPs, you will also need to study ways in which these CSPs reflect the social,
cultural, historical and political contexts in which they were produced.
Do I have to study all the CSPs?
The short answer is yes. To prepare for the two exams and the coursework (NEA) you will need to
study all of the CSPs following the guidelines set out in the CSP booklet. In addition, it will obviously
be helpful for you to look at other examples of media products in order to practise your skills of
analysis and evaluation. This will help you to prepare for the exam as at least one media product will
be included that is not a CSP.
How do I study the CSPs?
That’s what this Student Guide is for. Each CSP is briefly described and there are suggestions about
how to link your studies to the theoretical framework and the contexts.
In the case of products linked to Media Industries and Media Audiences, it will not be necessary to
analyse the content of the products themselves but you will need to be thoroughly familiar with
producer and audience issues. The CSP booklet will guide you through this by explaining what you
need to know in relation to each product.
Turn over
, 4
How will CSPs feature in the exams?
The first exam paper, Media One has sections on Media Language and Media Representations
(Section A) and Media Audiences and Media Industries (Section B).
Section A features questions on any two of the following forms: magazines, advertising/marketing,
newspapers, video games or online, social and participatory media.
Section B features questions on any two of the following forms: radio, music video, newspapers,
video games, online, social and participatory media or film.
The questions themselves will focus on the theoretical framework and contexts of the media, but you
will be expected to answer by reference to the relevant CSPs.
The second exam paper, Media Two includes questions based on the screening of a clip from one of
your television CSPs. There will also be questions based on one of your other in-depth studies
(newspapers, or video games and/or online, social and participatory media).
As with Media One, the questions themselves will focus on the theoretical framework and contexts of
the media, but you will be expected to answer by reference to the relevant CSPs.
Are the CSPs linked to the coursework (Non-Examined Assessment)?
Yes, you will choose from a range of production briefs that are linked to the CSPs. The knowledge
and understanding built up in your study of the CSPs will help you to create your own media
production.
8572/CSPs/2023
GCSE
MEDIA STUDIES
Close Study Products
For candidates entering for the 2023 examination.
To be issued to candidates at the start of their course of study.
Information
• These Close Study Products (CSPs) have been selected as a starting point for the analysis of
media products as part of the GCSE Media Studies course.
• Some questions in the GCSE Media Studies Examination Papers will focus on these CSPs.
• All of these products must be studied.
• It is advised that this list is supplemented with other products.
• This booklet cannot be taken into the examinations.
, 2
Close Study Products
Introduction
What are Close Study Products?
Close Study Products (CSPs) are a range of media products that you must study in order to meet the
requirements of the specification and prepare for the exams. A ‘product’ means something produced
by a media industry for a media audience, for example, a television programme, a website or a video
game.
How are the CSPs chosen?
The CSPs are chosen by the exam board. Between them, they enable you to study examples of all the
following media forms:
• Television
• Film
• Radio
• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Advertising and marketing
• Online, social and participatory media
• Video games
• Music video.
Some of these forms must be studied in-depth: including at least one audio/visual form, one print form
and one online, social and participatory media form.
At the time of selecting each CSP the content was checked to ensure it was age appropriate;
however media content is not static and therefore it may become inappropriate. If you identify any
inappropriate content please notify us at so we can investigate and take
any necessary action.
What does ‘in depth study’ mean?
The forms you will study in depth are:
• Television
• Newspapers
• Online, social and participatory media
• Video games.
For this specification you will study some linked online, social and participatory media products in
conjunction with associated video games.
8572/CSPs/2023
, 3
You will explore these forms and associated CSPs in relation to all four elements of the GCSE Media
Studies Theoretical Framework:
• Media Language
• Media Representations
• Media Industries
• Media Audiences.
What about the forms and products that aren’t studied ‘in depth’?
The other forms and products must be dealt with just as thoroughly, but only in relation to one or two
of the elements of the media framework, as follows:
Media Language and Media Representations
• Magazines
• Advertising and marketing
Media Industries and Media Audiences
• Radio
• Music video
Media Industries
• Film
As with the in-depth CSPs, you will also need to study ways in which these CSPs reflect the social,
cultural, historical and political contexts in which they were produced.
Do I have to study all the CSPs?
The short answer is yes. To prepare for the two exams and the coursework (NEA) you will need to
study all of the CSPs following the guidelines set out in the CSP booklet. In addition, it will obviously
be helpful for you to look at other examples of media products in order to practise your skills of
analysis and evaluation. This will help you to prepare for the exam as at least one media product will
be included that is not a CSP.
How do I study the CSPs?
That’s what this Student Guide is for. Each CSP is briefly described and there are suggestions about
how to link your studies to the theoretical framework and the contexts.
In the case of products linked to Media Industries and Media Audiences, it will not be necessary to
analyse the content of the products themselves but you will need to be thoroughly familiar with
producer and audience issues. The CSP booklet will guide you through this by explaining what you
need to know in relation to each product.
Turn over
, 4
How will CSPs feature in the exams?
The first exam paper, Media One has sections on Media Language and Media Representations
(Section A) and Media Audiences and Media Industries (Section B).
Section A features questions on any two of the following forms: magazines, advertising/marketing,
newspapers, video games or online, social and participatory media.
Section B features questions on any two of the following forms: radio, music video, newspapers,
video games, online, social and participatory media or film.
The questions themselves will focus on the theoretical framework and contexts of the media, but you
will be expected to answer by reference to the relevant CSPs.
The second exam paper, Media Two includes questions based on the screening of a clip from one of
your television CSPs. There will also be questions based on one of your other in-depth studies
(newspapers, or video games and/or online, social and participatory media).
As with Media One, the questions themselves will focus on the theoretical framework and contexts of
the media, but you will be expected to answer by reference to the relevant CSPs.
Are the CSPs linked to the coursework (Non-Examined Assessment)?
Yes, you will choose from a range of production briefs that are linked to the CSPs. The knowledge
and understanding built up in your study of the CSPs will help you to create your own media
production.
8572/CSPs/2023
