Product Design A Level

Applications Open: 21st November 2025 (9.00am)

Applications Close: 13th February 2026 (4.00pm)

How to apply:

- All INTERNAL applicants MUST apply via Applicaa using this link (coming soon!)

- All EXTERNAL applicants MUST apply via Kent Choices using this link https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login

- All correspondence between learners and the school after an application is made will be via Applicaa.

- All applicants (internal and external) will be invited in for a 1-1 guidance meeting.

- Those who have a successful guidance meeting will be offered a place to study at St John's Sixth Form from September 2026.

Why choose Product Design?

Think about the objects that you love. Your mobile phone with its delicious curves was designed on a computer screen. The car you yearn for started life as a reduced size clay model. A building that you admire sprang from the drawing board of an architect. And it’s not a new phenonemon. Our fascination with 3D design goes back to flint arrow heads and earthenware pots.

As a 3D designer you are at the crossroads of a number of skills. Of course you need creativity, in order to imagine the shape and function of the object. But you’ll also need to know about manufacturing processes, materials and marketing.

3D Design is an enormously satisfying career. You have an idea and - with the use of tools like clay or computers - it comes to life. Imagine how satisfying it must be for the person who designed the iPhone or Razr to hold the finished product in their hand.

The Product Designer is always looking at the needs of a client, has a target market in mind when designing and needs to market the product after it is manufactured. Knowledge of CAD, CAM & CNC is an essential element for the modern designer and is studied on this course.

This course involves exploring design problems, generating, developing and communicating design proposals, planning the manufacture of high quality three dimensional products and testing them to evaluate their success. You will complete a design portfolio as part of the coursework which can be useful when applying to design courses in higher education and for taking to interview.

This creative and thought-provoking qualification gives students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed 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 products 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.

This specification requires students to cover design and technology skills and knowledge as set out below:

These have been separated into:

• Core technical principles

• Core designing and making principles

• Additional specialist knowledge

Product Design brings design and manufacturing theory together and a good A-Level grade in the subject demonstrates that a students can apply themselves in analytical thinking, practical skills and academic writing: all of these qualities are highly prized in today’s competitive job market

Paper 1:

Technical principles

30% of the total A-Level

Paper 2:

Designing and making principle

Section A - Product Analysis

Section B - Commercial Manufacture

20%of the total A-Level

Non- exam assessment (NEA):

Practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles.

• 50% of the total A Level

Evidence:

Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype

Entry Requirements:

Minimum 5 subjects at GCSE Grade 5/BTEC Level 2 Merit or higher:

Including

- Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or Literature.

- Grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics

This course could lead to university, apprenticeships, employment or internships.

You could take this course with other advanced level courses such as Art and Design or Computing to prepare for higher education in areas of and design, technology, architecture or more general higher education courses.

With further training, you could go into a job related to design and technology such as an Architect, Carpenter, Furniture Design, Production Engineering or Computer Technician. The course will also encourage you to explore your creative mind and help you develop the basic skills, understanding and knowledge that many employers across lots of industries are looking for.