A Level Design & Technology: Product Design
AQA Examination Board
What does the course involve?
Design affects everything we do, every day. This course can be adapted to meet the various wide-ranging interests of the students taking it. You are able to steer the work you do towards any one of a number of personal interests or career ambitions. You will look at how the world around you has evolved by studying historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences on Design and Technology and put your learning into practice by designing and making products.
The specification encourages a broad approach towards design and this often leads to a varied and exciting range of final outcomes. Your creativity should be demonstrated through a varied range of materials, graphic media and CAD. You can work in any combination of materials including (but not limited to); woods, metals, plastics, paper and card, and electronics.
Skills you will develop along the way include; research, analysis and evaluation, creative thinking, problem solving, independence, organisation, time management and tenacity. The course is fast-paced and challenging and offers fantastic opportunities for aspiring designers.
How will you learn?
Your lessons will be split between theory and practical, in preparation for both your examination and NEA (non-exam assessment, previously called controlled assessment or coursework). You will be supported with regular feedback, however it is vital that you work independently and manage your time efficiently to meet deadlines.
What exams and coursework are involved?
Your final A Level grade will be 50% from your NEA and 50% from the examination. Your final examination will consist of two separate written papers, 15% of the marks will be accredited towards the use and application of specific Mathematics and Science based skills. In Year 12 you will complete a range of shorter projects, and these will be ensure that you become familiar with the success criteria for the NEA. It is advisable to design and make a range of products, using a variety of processes and materials, this experience should support and inform choices for your NEA that you will start at the end of Year 12.
Students are able to direct their NEA towards an area of personal interest in preparation for application to a particular university course or desired career path. You will write your own context and brief, this is a great opportunity to pursue topics and materials that really interest you. Theoretical knowledge taught in preparation for the exam will also feed into your NEA project, developing the vital skills required to determine a feasible design; suitable materials and finish. You will study a wide range of topics including properties of different materials, manufacturing processes, anthropometrics and ergonomics, CAD/CAM, health & safety, sustainability, design protection, marketing, design movements.
What are the entry requirements?
Please refer to our entry requirements document.
What could you do after completing the course?
A vast range of design-related degree courses are currently available with some examples being: Product
Design; Graphic Design; Textile Design; Furniture and Lighting Design; Architecture; Landscape; Interior,
Animation etc. Increasingly more specialised courses such as BSc Sports Equipment Design, Theatre and
Performance Design, Industrial Design, etc. are becoming popular. Allied with science and maths, design
engineering is popular with girls and boys with a more technical mind. Civil, electronic, manufacturing, mechanical;, nautical, process etc. offer further engineering opportunities.