Study
The course is designed to encourage candidates to take a broad view of Design and Technology, develop candidates’ capacity to design and make products, and to appreciate the complex relations between design, materials, manufacture and marketing.
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 into 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.
Assessment
Paper 1 (30% of A Level)
How it’s assessed
- Written exam: 2.5 hour exam
- 120 marks
Paper 2 (20% of A Level)
How it’s assessed
- Written exam: 1.5 hours
- 80 marks
Non-exam assessment (50% of A Level) Students will be required to undertake a design and make task and produce a final prototype based on a design brief produced by the student. The context of the task will be set by AQA.
How it’s assessed
- Substantial design and make task (45 hours)
- 100 marks
- Evidence: Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype
What Next?
This subject can be combined with a range of other subjects to enable access to a wide range of courses and careers in the Design Industry and Engineering. e.g. Industrial Design, 3D Design, Fashion and Textiles, Interior Design, Creative industries, Architecture, Civil Engineering andMechanical/Structural Engineering.
Subject Leader: Mr S Akhthar
Syllabus: AQA
Course Specification: 7552
Qualification: A Level