Course Content

You will design and make a product of your choice and produce a folder of work to support the project. As a designer you will learn creative skills to research, design and model a series of products before beginning your final project. You will also learn about manufacturing processes (how products are made), materials (what products are made from), customers (who products are made for and why) and environmental awareness (product lifecycle, recycling) so we can prepare for the terminal exam.

Component 1: Personal investigation

  • Assessed
  • Started in June of Y12 and completed by middle of January of Y13
  • 96 marks
  • 60% of A-level
  • Non-exam assessment (NEA) set and marked by the centre and moderated by AQA during a visit to the centre. Visits will normally take place in June.

Component 2: Externally set assignment:

  • Response to an externally set assignment
  • Assessed
  • Preparatory period plus 15 hours supervised time
  • 96 marks
  • 40% of A-level
  • Non-exam assessment (NEA) set by AQA, marked by the centre and moderated by AQA during a visit to the centre. Visits will normally take place in June.
ComponentAssessmentDurationWeighting
1: Personal InvestigationNon-exam assessmentNo time limit60%
2: Externally set assignmentNon-exam assessmentPreparatory period + 15 hours supervised time40%

Key Info

  • Start Date: September 2024
  • Awarding Body: AQA
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Course Length: 2 Years

Entry Requirements

Complementary Subjects

Career Opportunities