A Level Design and Technology: Product Design

Design and Technology is a creative and thought-provoking qualification, giving students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers, especially those in the creative industries.

Students will enjoy opportunities to put their learning in to practice by producing prototypes of their choice. Aside from the workshop facilities, the department has excellent CAD/CAM facilities, using the industry standard CAD modelling software Solidworks and 3D printers. Expertise in using Solidworks provides the students with an advantage with their UCAS application as the universities prefer students with these skills.

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. The students are taught by A-level specialist teaching staff with many years of industry experience. There are various trips to industry and university workshops throughout the course to widen the student’s understanding of the subject.

Course content

The AQA specification covers twenty-four units of study. The units will be delivered gradually over the two-year course alongside practical projects, skills building, CAD modelling, CAM and the designing and making of the Non Exam Assessment (NEA). The NEA is started in April of Year 12 and is completed in March the following year. The students are expected to demonstrate their skills in making a professional product of their choosing.

The NEA constitutes 50% of the A-level.

There are also two examination papers at A Level (50% of the A Level)

Paper 1 – Technical Principals

Paper 2 – Design and Making Principles

The advantage that studying Design and Technology has over other creative subjects is that it includes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and because of that, it holds more weight with certain universities. Studying

Design and Technology provides students with a 2D and 3D creative portfolio for either a foundation course or a direct undergraduate university course. Whichever course a student wishes to apply for, they will build up their practical skills, creativity, problem solving, planning and evaluation skills to a high level.

Example A-level subject combinations studied and the university courses which the students have gone on to study:

  1. Student 1: A-Level Music, Mathematics and Product Design – UCL studying Architecture & Interdisciplinary Studies
  2. Student 2: A-Level Mathematics, Physics and Product Design – Newcastle, studying Mechanical Engineering
  3. Student 3: A-Level Mathematics, Physics and Product Design – Bath, studying Integrated Design Engineering
  4. Student 4: A-Level Business Studies and Product Design – Leeds Beckett, studying Product Design

Career opportunities

An A-Level in Design and Technology provides students with the appropriate qualification to become any one of the following:

  • Architect
  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Civil Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Product Designer
  • Industrial Designer
  • Interior Designer
  • Fashion Designer
  • Games Designer
  • Film, TV and Theatre Stage Production Designer
  • Graphic Designer

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