Design Technology

Applications Open: 9th October 2025

How to Apply:

Internal students - Apply via Applicaa using this link - https://waterfront.applicaa.com/year12-20262027

External students - Apply via KentChoices using this link - https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login. Please note - after sending your application, you'll receive a welcome email from Applicaa asking for further information.

• This creative and thought-provoking qualification gives students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers. Especially those in the creative industries.

They will investigate historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences on design and technology, whilst enjoying opportunities to put their learning in to practice by producing prototypes of their choice.

Students will gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, alongside the knowledge and skills sought by higher education and employers.

A-level Design and Technology: Product Design requires students to engage in both practical and theoretical study. This specification requires students to cover design and technology skills and knowledge as set out below. These have been separated into:

Technical principles

• Materials and their applications
• Performance characteristics of materials
• Enhancement of materials
• Forming, redistribution and addition processes
• The use of adhesives and fixings
• The use of finishes
• Modern industrial and commercial practice
• Digital design and manufacture
• The requirements for product design and development
• Health and safety
• Protecting designs and intellectual property
• Design for manufacturing, maintenance, repair and disposal
• Feasibility studies
• Enterprise and marketing in the development of products
• Design communication

Designing and making principles

• Design methods and processes
• Design theory
• How technology and cultural changes can impact on the work of designers
• Design processes
• Critical analysis and evaluation
• Selecting appropriate tools, equipment and processes
• Accuracy in design and manufacture
• Responsible design
• Design for manufacture and project management
• National and international standards in product design

This is a linear qualification. In order to achieve the award, students must complete all assessments at the end of the course and in the same series.

A-level exams and certification for this specification are available for the first time in May/June 2019 and then every May/June for the life of the specification.

The exams and non-exam assessment will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives.

• AO1: Identify, investigate and outline design possibilities to address needs and wants.
• AO2: Design and make prototypes that are fit for purpose.
• AO3: Analyse and evaluate:

- design decisions and outcomes, including for prototypes made by themselves and others

- wider issues in design and technology.

• AO4: Demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of:

- technical principles

- designing and making principles.

x5 GCSEs at Grade 9-4 - including Mathematics and English