Design Technology (Design Engineering)

Engineering Design strengthens learners critical thinking and problem solving skills within a creative environment, enabling them to develop and make prototypes/ products that solve real world problems, considering their own and others needs, wants, aspirations and values. This qualification require learners to identify market needs and opportunities for new products, initiate and develop design solutions, and make and test prototypes/ products. Learners should acquire subject knowledge in design and technology, including how a product can be developed through the stages of prototyping, realisation and commercial manufacture.

The basic requirement is 5 or more Grade 4s at GCSE but ideally students will have achieved a 6 or above in GCSE Maths and GCSE engineering or D&T and GCSE science. An interest in art, and graphic design is a positive.

Students will study three units: Unit 1 Principals of design & technology Unit 2 Problem solving Unit 3 The Iterative Design Project Learners also identify a design opportunity or problem from a context of their own choice, & create a portfolio of evidence in real time through the project to demonstrate their competence

Classroom based

Principles of Design and Technology written paper 26.7% of total A Level Problem Solving written paper 23.3% of total A Level Interactive Design Project non examined assessment 50% of total A Level.

Students completing this course can, with further study, move into careers in aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing, materials science, civil, mechanical and marine engineering. Apprenticeships related to engineering or manufacturing are also possible. A keen engineering mind is also sought after by financial institutions, insurance brokers and law firms as the key skill in engineering is problem solving in innovative ways