A Level Product Design

AS/A Level Product Design

Exam Board - AQA

This creative and thought-provoking qualification gives students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers. Especially those in the creative industries and Engineering.

Students will investigate historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences on design and technology, whilst enjoying opportunities to put their learning in to practice by producing prototypes of their choice.

Students will gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, alongside the knowledge and skills sought by higher education and employers.

Paper 1 - Technical principles

How it's assessed

• Written exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes

• 120 marks

• 30% of A-level

Mixture of short answer and extended response.

Paper 2 - Designing and making principles

How it's assessed

• Written exam: 1 hour and 30 minutes

• 80 marks

• 20% of A-level

Mixture of short answer and extended response questions.

Section A:

• Product Analysis: 30 marks

• Up to 6 short answer questions based on visual stimulus of product(s).

Section B:

• Commercial manufacture: 50 marks

• Mixture of short and extended response questions

Non Examined Assessment (NEA) - Practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles.

How it's assessed

• Substantial design and make project

• 100 marks

• 50% of A-level

Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype.

Students undertaking this course will be expected to have gained normal entry requirements plus at least a GCSE grade 5 or BTEC Level 2 Merit in Design Technology or another relevant subject, eg Product Design or Resistant Material.

Progression:

The qualification gives students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers. Especially those in the creative industries. It could lead to a Foundation course in Art and Design or directly onto degree courses in Product Design, Furniture Design, Automotive Design, Graphic Design, Engineering, Manufacturing and Architecture. It could also lead onto a high level apprenticeship with local companies such as Rolls Royce or Cathelco.

Links with other subjects

Students should develop the ability to draw on and apply a range of skills and knowledge from other subject areas to inform their decisions in design and the application or development of technology. There are clear links between aspects of the specification content and other subject areas such as Maths, Science, Engineering, Computer Science Business Studies, Art and Design and History (section ‘Design Theory’). This is not an exhaustive list, and there are other opportunities within the specification for students to integrate and apply their wider learning and understanding from other subject areas studied during Key Stage 4, as well as those subjects that they are studying alongside A-level Design and Technology.