Design and technology

Why should I follow this course?

Design and technology offers you the opportunity to gain personal satisfaction and a positive experience in design and manufacture. You will work with and study a variety of resistant and compliant materials and gain an understanding of the working characteristics, physical properties, cost and availability which influence the choice of materials in design situations. You will study product design and designer influences and undertake projects that allow you to explore materials to design and manufacture quality products.

This specification is designed to encourage students to:

• develop a broad view of design and technology
• develop their capacity to design and make products
• appreciate the complex relations between design, materials, manufacture and marketing.
• understand critical links between Design Technology and Maths and Science

What will you learn?

This is a two year linear A level. Students will develop an understanding of a broad range of materials, with emphasis on the life cycle of products, manufacture and final disposal. This specification also considers the broader issues for the designer including the environmental sustainability of products and consumer safety:

• technical principles
• designing and making principles
• analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.

Students will undertake an 80 hour sustained design and make project over 2 years, based on a brief developed by the student, assessing the student's ability to:

• identify, investigate and outline design possibilities
• design and make prototypes
• analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.

What learning and teaching methods will be used?

Much of the course is taught through the coursework components, giving opportunity for individual development of practical skills and materials technologies.

What can I do with my qualification?

You can take higher education courses in technology specialisms such as engineering, architecture, 3D design, furniture design, theatre prop design, graphic design and industrial design. Or you can use your qualification alongside others to access higher education courses in non-technology subjects.

What minimum qualifications will I need?

NBP16C level 3 entry requirement and grade 4 in Resistant Materials, Product Design, Graphic Products or Engineering.   Or

Design Portfolio on subject set by the DT department showing aptitude for Design Technology

Advisable to have grade 4 or above in Science and grade 5 in Maths.

Examination Board: EDUQAS