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A Level Product Design

At St Edward’s, our A Level Product Design course will equip you with the skills to develop a deeper understanding of how products are designed and manufactured through independent learning, creativity, problem solving and innovation.

Why Study A Level Product Design?

A Level Product Design will enable you to combine an understanding of materials and manufacturing processes with your own creative visions by taking charge of the design process. You will develop analytical and evaluative skills alongside drawing and practical abilities, giving you the power to solve design problems. 

The course content encourages you to take a broad view of Design and Technology. It also helps you to participate in and think about tomorrow’s rapidly changing world of design and manufacture, and to design sustainable, functional and aesthetically pleasing products. 

This course is particularly suitable if you are interested in rethinking how everyday products can be improved.

Course Contact

Mrs Jane Morris
Technology Subject Leader

Course Content

We use the Edexcel exam board for A Level Design and Technology (Product Design) (9DT0). 

This qualification is made up of two mandatory components. Each component makes up 50% of the qualification and all components must be completed to achieve the full qualification. 

Component 1 is an externally assessed exam taken at the end of Year 13. It covers the following topics: 

  • Materials. 
  • Performance characteristics of materials 
  • Processes and techniques. 
  • Digital technologies. 
  • Factors influencing the development of products. 
  • Effects of technological developments. 
  • Potential hazards and risk assessment. 
  • Features of manufacturing industries. 
  • Designing for maintenance and the cleaner environment. 
  • Current legislation. 
  • Information handling, modelling and forward planning. 
  • Further processes and techniques. 

Component 2 is an NEA, started partway through Year 12 and completed at the end of Year 13. It is internally assessed and externally moderated and covers the following aspects:

  • Students individually and/or in consultation with a client/end user identify a problem and design context.  
  • Students will develop a range of potential solutions which include the use of computer aided design and evidence of modelling.  
  • Students will be expected to make decisions about the designing and development of the prototype in conjunction with the opinions of the client/end user.  
  • Students will realise one potential solution through practical making activities with evidence of project management and plan for production.  
  • Students will incorporate issues related to sustainability and the impact their prototype may have on the environment.  
  • Students are expected to analyse and evaluate design decisions and outcomes for prototypes/products made by themselves and others.  
  • Students are expected to analyse and evaluate of wider issues in design technology, including social, moral, ethical, and environmental impacts. 

Where can this take you?

After studying A Level Product Design at St Edward’s, you could pursue a number of exciting career paths. Product Design will facilitate your application to university courses and also support you in the working world. The content is readily applied to real life job situations where technology skills are used, and your knowledge and understanding will be applicable to new and emerging technology’s. Throughout the course, we will encourage you to develop an entrepreneurial attitude which challenges normal, conventional methods and will enable you to help form the future of design. A Level Product Design will provide you with useful skills to support a wide range of career options such as a product designer, industrial designer, interior designer, spatial designer, automotive designer, architect, mechanical engineer, systems engineer, automotive engineer, aeronautical engineer and graphic designer... to name a few.

Student Destinations 

  • London South Bank University - Economics with Finance
  • Arts University Bournemouth - Architecture  
  • Arts University Bournemouth - Product Design

Key information

Download Entry Requirements

Student Testimonials

"I enjoy the ability to be creative and come up with my own designs, there's nothing robotic about the subject."

Riley, KS5 Product Design student

"There is a good theory/practical lesson balance. I enjoy being able to be creative and the subject gives me a good balance with Engineering and Maths."

Nick, KS5 Product Design student