Product Design

Please apply for all courses via Help You Choose. Applications will open on October 21st.

In order to ensure success in the Sixth Form, we have designed different pathways to suit your individual needs. Please see below for the specific entry criteria. In addition to this, students will need to check the specific entry criteria for their chosen subjects by checking each course descrpition.

The General Pathway

This pathway is for students who are unsure about which way their future will take them and therefore would like to keep their options as open as possible by gaining UCAS points with their Module Two Option.

Module One: three A Levels

Module Three: Enrichment Course

Module Four: Academic Coaching

You will need English and Mathematics at Grade 4 or above and at least four other GCSE subjects at Grade 4 or above.

The Combined Pathway

This pathway is for students who are unsure which way their future will take them and therefore would like to keep their options as open as possible.

Module One – either one of the three below options:

Two A-levels and one specialist qualification (equivalent to one A Level)

One A-level and two specialist qualifications (equivalent to one A Level each)

Three specialist qualifications (equivalent to one A Level each)

Module Two: Enrichment Course

Module Three: Academic Coaching

You will need English or Mathematics at Grade 4 or above and at least four other GCSE subjects at Grade 4 or above.

The Specialist Pathway

This pathway is equivalent to three A Levels and is designed for students who already know which career path they would like to take. Please refer to our on offer to view the range.

Module One: Advanced Specialist Qualification

Module Two: Work Placement

Module Three: Enrichment Course

You will need English or Mathematics at Grade 4 or above and at least four other GCSE subjects at Grade 4 or above.

The Extended Pathway

This pathway is for students aspiring to study at Oxbridge or one of the Russell Group Universities or who want to follow a high-demand course such as Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Law or Engineering.

Module One: Three A Levels

Module Two: One Advanced Subsidiary Level

Module Three: Enrichment Course

Module Four: Academic Coaching

You will need English and Mathematics at Grade 5 or above and at least four other GCSE subjects at Grade 5 or above.

The T Level Pathway

This course is equivalent to three A Levels and is designed for students who already know which career path they would like to take.

Module One: T Level Course

Module Two: Industry Placement

You will need English or Mathematics at Grade 4 or above and at least four other GCSE subjects at Grade 4 or above.

This course is designed to equip students with the confidence to innovate and produce creative design solutions as they develop their own design brief with a client/end user. Students will be able to recognise design needs and develop an understanding of how current global issues, including integrating technology, impact on today’s world. Students will increasingly acquire subject knowledge in design and technology and develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of materials, components and processes associated with the creation of products. Students will work collaboratively to develop and refine their ideas.

Unit 1

Unit 1: Materials

Unit 2: Performance characteristics of materials

Unit 3: Processes and techniques

Unit 4: Digital technologies

Unit 5: Factors influencing the development of products

Unit 6: Effects of technological developments

Unit 7: Potential hazards and risk assessment

Unit 8: Features of manufacturing industries

Unit 9: Designing for maintenance and the cleaner environment

Unit 10: Current legislation

Unit 11: Information handling, Modelling and forward planning

Unit 12: Further processes and techniques.

Unit 2

There are four parts to the assessment:

Unit 1: Identifying and outlining possibilities for design

Identification and investigation of a design possibility, investigation of client/end user needs, wants and values, research and production of a specification

Unit 2: Designing a prototype

Design ideas, development of design idea, final design solution, review of development and final design and communication of design ideas

Unit 3: Making a final prototype

Design, manufacture and realisation of a final prototype, including tools and equipment and quality and accuracy

One written examination worth 50% and one coursework assessment worth 50%.

You will need to achieve a Grade 4 or above from your GCSE Design and Technology course.

You must also have been entered for the Higher GCSE Mathematics paper. Other qualifications that would be helpful are Art and Business Studies.

Students can progress from this qualification to tertiary education and/or work-based study including product design, engineering and architecture. Alternatively, further training in the design, creative, engineering and/or manufacturing industries or employment in a relevant sector.