Course Leader:

Miss G Maltby - gmaltby@sackvilleschool.org.uk

Exam board: AQA

Guidance: Grade 5 or above in GCSE design and technology and grade 4+ in maths and English language. Also, a willingness to carry out individual research related to your chosen projects.

Course length: 2 Years

Course description

A-level Product Design offers you an exciting opportunity to explore the world of design, materials, manufacture, and technology by creating innovative solutions to real-world problems. This course  is a blend of creativity and practical application, requiring you to develop a deep understanding of design principles, user needs, and sustainable practices. 

You'll learn how to research, design, prototype, and evaluate products through a combination of practical workshop skills and theoretical study. Over the course, you'll undertake a major design and make a project where you'll define a problem, develop a brief, manage a complex project, and ultimately produce a high-quality final product and portfolio. Through hands-on experience with various materials (e.g., polymers, woods, metals), tools, and modern manufacturing techniques, including CAD/CAM, you'll hone your technical abilities and critical thinking, preparing you for higher education or a career in the dynamic fields of design and engineering.

Course units

Paper 1: Core technical principles and core designing and making principles

• 25% of A Level
• Written exam: 2 hours
• 100 marks
• Mixture of short answers, multiple choice and extended responses

Paper 2: Specialist knowledge. Technical and designing and making principles

• 25% of A Level
• Written exam: 2 hours
• Mixture of short answers, multiple choice and extended responses
• Section A: Product analysis – up to 6 short-answer questions based on visual stimulus of products
• Section B: Commercial manufacturing – mixture of short and extended response questions

Non-exam assessment (coursework): Practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles and specialist knowledge

• Design and make task
• 45 hours to complete
• 100 marks
• 50% of the A Level
• Creation of an electronic portfolio with photographic evidence of the final prototype
• Students will be able to select the type of project they will follow

In addition to the coursework unit, students will complete a range of mini projects to develop their manufacturing skills.

 

(Click here for course specification)

Assessment

Students will be continually assessed in both, the theory unit, mini coursework projects and the final NEA assessment. Within the theory unit, regular testing will take place to track the progress of the students' understanding. Assessment of the design process will also be made through the mini projects.

What can I do with this qualification?

Any career involved in the design, manufacture and mass production of any 3D product – product design or engineering; electrical products, robotics, mechanical systems, cosmetics and health products, furniture, the television industry, theatre and the arts, CAD / CAM engineering, boats, aircraft, cars – the list is endless!