Design and Technology: Design Engineering A Level

Please make sure you have checked the entry requirements before submitting your application. Please also be aware that we use an Attainment 8 requirement for students choosing to do Science and Maths subjects. This is explained further on our website: https://www.taptonschool.co.uk/page/?title=Subjects&pid=69

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'The UK government has flagged a healthy engineering sector as being vital to its economic and environmental goals, making it absolutely crucial to the country as a whole. Unfortunately, there is currently a huge surplus of vacancies, over 173,000.’ New Civil Engineer - 10 Jan ’23.

‘Manufacturing is more than just putting parts together. It's coming up with ideas, testing principles and perfecting the engineering, as well as final assembly’. James Dyson

Design Engineering is all about learning to be the person that designs the engineered product, be it a computer, satellite, phone, games console, washing machine, vehicle, aircraft, or any other engineered product. It is focused towards engineered mechanical and electronic products and systems. Students completing the course successfully will have taken design risks, gained technical understanding of programming, electronics, mechanics and structures and shown innovation whilst considering their role as responsible designers and citizens. They will have worked collaboratively through both CAD and with real life experimentation to develop and refine their ideas. They will gain an insight into engineering industries (particularly Electronic, Mechanical and Structural Engineering), developed the capacity to think logically and systematically, innovatively and critically and become independent and critical thinkers who can adapt their technical knowledge and understanding to different design situations.

Qualities Required

A passion for solving problems and designing and making functional products or systems. An interest in electronics and/or mechanics is a huge advantage. This must be an interest that you are keen to take beyond merely theoretical knowledge that you could gain elsewhere, but to realise that knowledge into actual products that work. You should enjoy understanding how things work, taking things apart, building things, fixing them and analysing a problem.

Links with other subjects

Design Engineering, most obviously, is part of a suite with STEM subjects, Maths and Physics for anyone interested in the vast majority of strands of engineering and should be seriously considered by anyone looking to pursue Engineering at a higher level after Sixth Form.

Exam: 26.7% of A-Level (1hr 30 minutes - written paper)

• Analyse existing products
• Demonstrate their technical knowledge of materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes and techniques
• Demonstrate applied mathematical skills
• Demonstrate their understanding of wider social, moral and environmental issues that impact on design/manufacturing industries.

Problem Solving: 23.3% of A-level (1hr 45 minutes - written paper)

• Apply their knowledge, understanding and skills of designing and manufacturing prototypes and products
• Demonstrate their higher thinking skills to solve problems and evaluate situations and suitability of design solutions.

Iterative Design Project: 50% of A-level (Approx. 65 hrs Non Examined Assessment)

• The ‘Iterative Design Project’ requires learners to undertake a substantial design, make and evaluate project centred on the iterative processes of explore, create and evaluate.
• Learners identify a design opportunity or problem from a context of their own choice, and create a portfolio of evidence in real time through the project to demonstrate their competence.

Extension and Enrichment Opportunities

Actively getting involved in design and development of any electronic, mechanical and/or structural project will give the very best basis for an informed, enjoyable and successful participation in the A-level.

Method of Assessment

• Exams: 50% Externally Assessed
• Iterative Design Project: 50% Internally Assessed

5 in Technology, 6 in Maths and a 5 in Physics.

Tapton School's minimum entry requirements for all students: Grade 5 in English Language; Grade 4 in Mathematics and three other GCSEs at grade 4 and above.

A wide variety of possible careers stem from this course, that could include many kinds of engineering and technical careers such as electrical/electronic engineer, special effects, animatronics, computer programming, microcontroller programming, music technology, lighting engineer, games programmer, robotics, control engineer, motor vehicle engineering, aviation/aeronautical engineering or designing any electronic product from mobile phones to spacecraft etc. There is no shortage of jobs within Engineering. Destinations for A-Level Engineering students have, in the past, included Engineering degrees at Cambridge University, University of Sheffield, Leeds University other institutions, on courses including Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Design for Industry and Civil and Structural Engineering.