North Independent Secondary School of the Year 2020 North Independent Secondary School of the Year 2021 North Independent Secondary School of the Year 2021

Design technology

Why study design technology?

Design and technology is key ingredient in understanding how the world around works and functions. Everything we touch, use and interact with on a daily basis, started out as a raw material, and needed to designed, shaped and manufactured into something tangible for us to use.

Design and technology prepares you practically for a career in design or engineering, and gives you opportunities to translate your knowledge from other subjects such as chemistry, maths and physics into real world objects and artefacts. It provides essential skills for many engineering courses and will give you the knowledge and expertise that will set you apart from some of your peers. You will start university with an innate understanding and experience of how to manufacture products from the ground up, and how to uses tools and machinery to bring your ideas to life.

Entry requirements

Grade 5 in a design related subject at GCSE

Potential courses

  • Product design
  • 3D design
  • Engineering
  • Industrial design
  • Architecture
  • Art and design
  • Architecture
  • Product design

 

Potential careers

  • Architecture
  • Civil engineering
  • Car design
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Product designer
  • Industrial design
  • Aerospace engineer
  • Nautical engineer

The A-level course

% of A-level courseWhat's assessed
Paper 1 Written exam30%Technical principles through a mixture of short answer and extended response.
Paper 2 Written exam20%Designing and making principles. Section A Product analysis: 30 marks - up to 6 short answer questions based on visual stimulus of product(s). Section B Commercial manufacture: 50 marks - mixture of short and extended response questions.
Non-exam assessment Practical design and make project50%Practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles. Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype.

Or, if you prefer to chat to someone please call our admissions team. For Senior School call 0113 228 5121 and for Primary School call 0113 228 5113.