Design & Technology Product Design - A Level

Product Design is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. This course will encourage you to use creativity and imagination when applying iterative design processes to develop and modify designs. You will design and make prototypes that solve real world problems, considering your own and others’ needs, wants, aspirations and values.

You would benefit most from this course if you have already studied Design & Technology at GCSE and achieved a Grade 5, or an equivalent Level 2 vocational qualification to merit standard.

Component 1: Principles of Design and Technology

For the first course component you will study the “Principles of Design and Technology” which will be assessed through a 2.5 hour examination, contributing 50% to your final grade. The first component will cover the following elements:

- Materials

- Performance characteristics of materials

- Processes and techniques

- Digital technologies

- Factors influencing the development of products

- Effects of technological developments

- Potential hazards and risk assessment

- Features of manufacturing industries

- Designing for maintenance and the cleaner environment

- Current legislation

- Information handling, modelling and forward planning

- Further processes and techniques

Component 2: Independent Design and Make Product

Component two will be your “Independent Design and Make Product”. This will be a non-examined assessment (NEA) which will contribute 50% to your final grade. For this element you will produce a substantial design, make and evaluate project which will consist of a portfolio of evidence and a final prototype product.

There will be four parts to the assessment, covering the identification of a design problem, developing the design, making the prototype and evaluating both the design and the final prototype.

To secure a place at our Post-16 Centre you will need five or more GCSE passes at Grade 5 or above and a minimum of a Grade 4 in both English Language and Mathematics. You will also need a Grade 5 at GCSE (or equivalent vocational qualification) for most subjects you want to study at A Level.

Future Study and Career Opportunities

An A Level in Design & Technology: Product Design can lead to courses in Design, Mechanical Engineering and Product Design.

Product Design can lead to careers in most areas of engineering including Mechanical, Electrical and Systems Engineering, as well as Product Design, Industrial Design, Production Management and Manufacturing.