Design & Technology A Level
Course Overview
An A level in Design and Technology offers a unique opportunity for students to identify and solve real problems by designing and making products or systems.
Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. This course encourages learners to use creativity and imagination when applying iterative design processes to develop and modify designs, and to design and make prototypes that solve real world problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants, aspirations and values. The course enables students to identify market needs and opportunities for new products, initiate and develop design solutions, and make and test prototypes. Students will acquire subject knowledge in design and technology, including how a product can be developed through the stages of prototyping, realisation and commercial manufacture.
Course Components
Component 1 – Design & Technology in the 21st Century - 50%
Students take a single examination in product design. The examination includes a mix of structured and extended writing questions assessing learner’s knowledge and understanding of:
- technical principles
- designing and making principles
Along with their ability to analyse and evaluate wider issues in design and technology.
Component 2 – Design & Make Project – Non-exam Assessment - Approx. 80 hrs - 50%
A sustained design and make project assessing the candidate’s ability to identify, investigate design, make and evaluate design prototypes.
Key Info
Minimum Entry Requirements
Five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including:
- GCSE grade 6 in a Design & Technology subject
- Or a grade 6 in Mathematics plus a set task if Design Technology not studied at GCSE
Assessment
- 50% Exam
- 50% Coursework
- Exam Board: Eduqas
Subject Lead
Mr J Jenner
Why Choose this course
This course enables students to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise, in order to be open to taking design risks, showing innovation and enterprise whilst considering their role as responsible designers and citizens. Students will develop intellectual curiosity about the design and manufacture of products and systems, and their impact on daily life and the wider world whilst working collaboratively to develop and refine their ideas, responding to feedback from users, peers and expert practitioners. Students will gain an insight into the creative, engineering and/or manufacturing industries and develop the capacity to think creatively, innovatively and critically through focused research and the exploration of design opportunities arising from the needs, wants and values of users and clients.
Skills you will gain
During their time at Northgate students will undertake a series of focused practical elements of Design and Technology that will help to build a greater understanding of the materials and processes involved in the manufacture of everyday object. This will be delivered alongside theory sessions that allow students to develop a critical understanding of the wider influences on design and technology, including cultural, economic, environmental, historical and social factors.
After Northgate
Design and Technology fits in well with several different subjects. Students follow a range of different routes following their time with us. This could include avenues such as directly into employment or undertaking an engineering-based apprenticeship. In the past we have had students enter university to follow a wide range of design disciplines that lead directly to employment in associated fields.