Design Technology: Product Design

Applications Open: - Friday 28th November 2025

Applications Close: - Friday 6 February 2026 - Please note - If you do not complete your application fully by the deadline of Friday 6 February 2026, we may not be able to consider it until August when GCSE results are published.

How to Apply:

Internal students - Applications to join our Sixth Form, via Applicaa, can be made via this link Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend (applicaa.com). PLEASE NOTE that you should use an e-mail address that you check regularly as the Applicca system will contact you with updates about your application.

External students - Year 11 Students from other schools applying to Mayfield Grammar School should 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.

If you applied to us before the deadline but have not heard from us for a while please bear with us, we are working through the applications and will get back to you with our decision and advice as soon as we can. We will continue to send messages via Applicaa so please logon from time to time to check if we need some additional information from you

Applications After the deadline

Students who are interested in applying to Mayfield Grammar School for Sixth Form but have missed our application process can contact us once they have their GCSE results in August. After the publication of GCSE examinations results in August we ask that you make an appointment to discuss your application with the Sixth Form team. You need to call 01474 352896 or email admissions@mgsg.kent.sch.uk. Please check you have met our entry criteria for the subjects you want to study and read our Options Booklet under the Sixth Form tab on our website for our general entry criteria. If you meet our criteria, please get in touch, and bring your original documents for GCSE Results Summary and Birth Certificate as ID when you are offered an appointment.

Entry Requirements: -

Entry to the Sixth Form is dependent on demonstrating achievements which show general breadth of ability as well as depth in the specific courses chosen for study in the Sixth Form. For this reason you will need to have achieved all the following:

1. A minimum of 6 GCSEs at Grade 5 and above, preferably on the higher papers, in discrete subjects, with the exception of Combined Science, which counts as two subjects.

2. Grade 5 or above in GCSE English and GCSE Mathematics.

3. To have met the requirements of the individual subjects that you intend to study at A Level/Level 3, which are all, with the exception of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Languages, a minimum of Grade 6 at GCSE on the Higher papers. This is essential.

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. Good skills and application of knowledge when linking Mathematics and Science to the work of Design. Strong technical drawing and CAD and physical modelling skills as well as an ability to work well with a range of tools and equipment, with understanding of working methods, such as model-making, constructing, and assembling.

This course will engage you in both practical and theoretical study. You will find it helps to establish links between education and the world around you; enabling you to feel more comfortable when starting a University degree, apprenticeship, or job in a related field (see some links below). Design and manufacturing skills, alongside problem solving skills and the ability to visualise new ideas, can be useful in many different jobs such as, but not limited to, construction, architecture, engineering, manufacturing, designing, marketing, sales, advertising, broadcast media and journalism and publishing

Paper 1 – Technical principles

30% of A level 120 marks available, a 2½ hour written paper

Paper 2 – Designing and making principles

20% of A level 80 marks available, a 1½ hour written paper

Students must undertake a substantial design and make task and produce a final prototype based on a context and design brief developed by the student.

50% of A level 100 marks available

Grade 6 in GCSE Design & Technology

Or a Grade 6 in any Science, ideally Physics, and grade 6 in Mathematics, students should also have experience in a related subject.

Higher Education

Foundation Diplomas are a stepping stone in which you can spend a year developing your personal and design skills in preparation for you to find your own style and which design path you want to continue down. Ravensbourne, UAL, UCA, AUB, and Kings College (entry 4-5 GCSEs Grade 4, C in relevant A Level) are all strong Foundation courses which are found in the south of England.

Many universities offer degree courses that link strongly to Design and Technology: Product Design. For example; Design at Goldsmiths (entry requirements BBB), Product Design at Nottingham Trent University (entry requirements BBC), Architecture at Cardiff University (entry requirements AAB), Industrial Design at UCA (entry requirements BBC)

Degree apprenticeships are an active alternative to university. Learning on the job as well as time away at a training provider makes up the equivalent to a degree level certification. These can be found on the gov.uk website along with entry requirements and locations.

Links to Further Education

Product Design; Design Engineering; Engineering; Graphic Design; Design and Computing; Marketing; Interior Design; Fashion; Industrial Design; Multi-media Design and Computing; A Technology, i.e. Food and Business; Fashion Design and Garment Technology.

Links to Careers

Product Design; Architecture; Interior Design Industry; Textile Design Industry; Graphic Design; Engineering (including a Science and Mathematics); Teacher; Technical industries; Design Engineer (including Science and Mathematics); Electrical engineer; Visual Merchandising; Aerospace; Animator;