Product Design A Level (Linear)

Applications Open: - 5th November 2025

Applications Close: - 5th January 2026

Entry Requirements: - Our entry requirements are subject specific, please look through our website for more information. Specific information can be found under Sixth Form and in Choosing courses. Details are here

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Product Design is a course that encourages students to develop even further as designers. You will complete research, create and develop design proposals, model and plan before making the product and finally evaluating its success. It will be your decision to select which materials and processes are most appropriate to manufacture your selected design in.

It is a course that has had a great deal of success, seeing students progressing onto degrees and vocations in the field of design.

Coursework:

The coursework components are based around four activities:

Exploration - A process in which students produce an in-depth analysis of a problem or problem area to achieve an innovative outcome.

Designing - A creative process when students are encouraged to think, invent, experiment, model, using methods including CAD, make decisions and evaluate.

Making - Products are manufactured using a range of materials and techniques, using hand skills as well as CAM (Computer aided Manufacturing) including laser

cutting, 3D printing and CNC Routing.

Analysis and evaluation - Design and manufacturing work is evaluated within a portfolio using a variety of methods including client feedback, testing and modification techniques.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of relevant materials, processes and techniques, and use materials and equipment to produce suitable and appropriate outcomes; they should communicate ideas and outcomes and demonstrate strategies for evaluation.

.Coursework (50%) Practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles and specialist knowledge.

Paper 1 (25%) Core technical principles and core designing and making principles.

Paper 2 (25%) Specialist knowledge, technical and designing and making principles.

Paper 1 and paper 2 – Examinations:

Paper 1:

This will be a mixture of short answer, multiple choice and extended response aimed at core technical principles and core designing and making principles.

Paper 2:

This will be a mixture of short answer, multiple choice and extended response questions aimed at specialist knowledge, technical and designing and making principles.

Section A: Product Analysis

This section will involve up to 6 short answer questions based on visual stimulus of products.

Section B: Commercial Manufacture

This section will be a mixture of short and extended response questions covering commercial manufacturing processes.

Assessment Objectives:

Candidates should demonstrate specific knowledge and understanding and be able to apply that knowledge and understanding in combination with appropriate skills in their designing and should communicate ideas and outcomes and demonstrate strategies for evaluation.

APS 4 including 3 5s and a grade 5 in GCSE Product Design or a related GCSE

Former students have progressed onto a wide range of degrees, a sample of these include: Product Design, Furniture Design, Industrial Design, Civil Engineering and Graphic Design.