Design and Technology: Product Design A Level

Applications Open: 7th November 2025 at 9am

Applications Close: 30th January 2026 4pm

Entry Requirements: - 5 GCSE's Grade 4 and above, including Maths and/or English plus additional subject specific entry requirements.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

A-Level Product Design aims to instil a wide understanding and appreciation of the resources and skills, both modern and historic, necessary to take a product from conception to sale and beyond. It encourages students to develop their own creativity and design and technology capability. A-Level Product Design is an excellent subject to sit alongside many other when considering the combination of subjects chosen by students, e.g. sciences, maths, business, economics, psychology, art and sport.

An A-Level in Product Design allows students to learn about contemporary technologies, materials and processes, as well as established practices. Students will use their creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. During the studying of this course students are assessed on both coursework and exam elements:

 Paper 1: Technical Principle (30% of final grade)

 Paper 2: Designing & Making Principles (20% of final grade)

 Practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles. (50% of final grade)

Examinations are all taken at the end of Year 13. The NEA will be started in Year 12 and completed by the Easter of Year 13 for submission to the exam board.

Exams and controlled assessment

GCSE grade 5 in Design & Technology, GCSE grade 4 in Maths & Science. Those are the course requirements for automatic qualification. If you do not meet the requirements you should still apply and we will arrange for you to take a suitability test e.g. if you have not studied D&T at GCSE.

This course promotes communication, teamwork and three-dimensional design skills and business awareness. This course is an excellent start to those students wishing to progress onto Design based degrees or career paths. This is also a useful course for students wishing to study art, graphics, maths, media, physics, or engineering in further education.