The Grammar School for Girls Wilmington

What is AS/A2 Design & Technology?

Product Design 3D Design

The course provides excellent progression from GCSE Design & Technology courses. It is an opportunity to follow a broad-based product design course or to specialise in one of the disciplines. It also allows for the integration of work-related activities and/or links to the commercial and industrial world. The content and style of delivery is designed to stimulate students creativity and innovation.

How long is the course?

The full Advanced Level qualification is a two year course which consists of the AS + A2 courses.

What qualifications do I need?

5 or more GCSEs at grade C or above, including Grade B in GSCE in a Design & Technology subject.

What will I study?

You will undertake the following sections of study:

Year 12 Modules (AS)
UNIT 1:

Materials and components.

UNIT 2:

A portfolio of work or a design and make project.

UNIT 3:

Design and Market influences.

Year 13 Modules (A2)
UNIT 4:

Research and analysis of a manufactured product.

UNIT 5:

Design and Make project.

UNIT 6:

Materials and components, Design and Market influences, Processes and Manufacture. 

What else is involved?

Students will be expected to gain competence in the use of industry-standard design software and an understanding of how this can be linked to the manufacture of a product. The course will be delivered by a series of practical activities. During the first year students will produce a portfolio of work for assessment, selected from the practical activities and be given the opportunity to design with few constraints. The focus in the second year will be on a design and make project of personal choice.

How will I be assessed?
AS LEVEL

Unit                              Time allocated       % of final grade

1:     Written paper        1¿ hours                  30

2:     Coursework          50  hours                  40

3:     Written paper        1¿ hours                 30

A2 LEVEL

Unit                              Time allocated       % of final grade

4:     Product Study       25  hours                  15

5:     Project                  50  hours                  15

6:     Written paper          3 hours                  20

      

What other subjects can I study?

It could equally well be studied as a complement to the study of Mathematics and the Sciences or to provide a contrast to the study of the Arts, Languages and Social Sciences.

What career and higher education opportunities are open to me?

This course is an excellent introduction to the world of design. It will form a sound basis for higher education courses and any subsequent career in product design, architecture, graphic design or any engineering subject.  The skills and knowledge gained from the course are highly valued for University admission.