A-Level in Design and Technology: Product Design

This course aims to offer students the opportunity to develop a broad view of Design and Technology, and to develop their capacity to design and make products. They will develop an understanding of the relations between Design, materials, manufacture and marketing between two main areas.

This course will complement all other A level subjects over the two years and could lead to Higher Education in areas of Design, Technology or more general Higher Education courses such as Art and Design foundation studies.

This new qualification places greater emphasis on understanding and applying iterative design processes. Students will use their creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. It will develop research, Design communication, computer aided Design, manufacturing, and evaluation skills based around previous experiences in Design and Technology. Throughout the course students will complete coursework (50%) and take an external examination at the end of the course (50%).

• Examination paper 1 – 30%
• Examination papaer2 – 20%
• NEA – 50%

For all Sixth Form courses, students must have five GCSE (or equivalent) passes at Grades 9-4, which must include Mathematics and English Language/Literature at a Grade 4 or above. Students should also have a Grade 4 in a Design and Technology subject.

With further training, students may choose a career related to Design and Technology with a wide variety of options available such as Product Design, Interior Design, Architecture and Transport Design, Graphic Design and CAD Engineers.