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Combines designing products with making them to a high standard.

A Level

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Design & Technology

Quick Summary

Major practical project – A substantial NEA (coursework) where you design and make a product from scratch

Wide material knowledge – Study woods, metals, plastics, textiles, and electronics depending on your focus

Design process emphasised – Learn iterative design, user research, prototyping, and manufacturing considerations

What's it actually like?

IN A NUTSHELL

A-Level Design & Technology combines designing products with making them to a high standard. You'll learn about materials, manufacturing processes, design theory, and user-centred design whilst developing practical making skills.
You'll study industrial design, sustainability, new technologies (CAD/CAM, 3D printing, laser cutting), and design movements. The major coursework project involves designing and making a substantial product that solves a real problem for a real client.
Exams test your knowledge of materials, processes, design theory, and your ability to analyse existing products. Coursework involves designing, prototyping, making, and evaluating a product.
It's about 50% practical coursework and 50% written exams.

D&T is perfect for people who want to design AND make, not just theorise about design.

Student Studying

Facilities vary hugely between schools: Your opportunities depend entirely on your school's workshop facilities. Ask what machinery, CAD software, and materials they have. Limited facilities = limited possibilities.

About the course

Is this for you?

  • A Level Design & Technology develops your ability to design, model, and manufacture products while building strong problem-solving and technical knowledge.


    1. Core Technical Principles

    You learn about:

    • Materials (such as timbers, metals, polymers, and composites)

    • Performance characteristics of materials

    • Modern manufacturing methods and processes

    • Sustainability, environmental impact, and new technologies

    This knowledge is assessed in the written exam.


    2. Designing and Making Principles

    You develop skills in:

    • Identifying and solving real design problems

    • Researching, sketching, modelling, and testing ideas

    • Using CAD/CAM and workshop tools

    • Evaluating and improving your designs

    These skills are assessed in both exams and coursework.


    3. Non-Exam Assessment (Coursework Project)

    You complete a major design-and-make project where you:

    • Choose a real-world problem

    • Design and develop a product

    • Manufacture a final outcome

    • Test and evaluate your solution

    Final Assessment Structure

    Technical knowledge and design principles are assessed by written exams.
    The major project is assessed through coursework.

  • Design & Technology is a good choice for:


    • Love designing and making things

    • Enjoy solving practical problems creatively

    • Are interested in how products are designed and manufactured

    • Like working with my hands and using tools/machinery

    • Can think in three dimensions and visualise products

    • Want to understand materials, manufacturing, and sustainability

    • Can work independently on long-term making projects

    • Enjoy both creative design work and practical making


  • Practical making skills - Using hand tools, machinery (saws, lathes, CNC machines), and modern technologies (CAD, 3D printing, laser cutting).

    Design thinking - Understanding user needs, generating creative solutions, and developing designs systematically.

    CAD/CAM Skills - Using Computer-Aided Design software (SolidWorks, Fusion 360) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing.

    Technical drawing - Communicating design ideas through sketching, technical drawings, and digital modelling.

    Problem-solving - Identifying design problems and developing innovative solutions.

    Project management - Planning, executing, and evaluating substantial making projects from concept to completion.

  • Making takes significant time: Creating high-quality products requires extensive workshop time. You'll need to spend many hours outside lessons in the workshop. Budget substantial time.


    Materials can be expensive: Whilst schools provide basic materials, you may need to purchase specific materials for your major project. Budget for this.


    It can be physically demanding: Using machinery, carrying materials, and physical making can be tiring. You need reasonable physical capability.


    Some universities don't rate it highly: Very competitive universities sometimes see D&T as less rigorous than traditional sciences or maths. If aiming for top academic universities, combine D&T with strong academic subjects.


    Drawing and visualisation matter: You need to be able to sketch ideas and communicate design thinking visually. If you struggle with drawing, this can be challenging.


    Safety is crucial: Working with machinery requires following safety procedures strictly. If you're not willing to work safely, D&T isn't for you.

  • D&T + Physics + Maths = For engineering or product design routes
    D&T + Art + Graphics = Full creative design focus
    D&T + Business + Maths = Design with commercial understanding
    D&T + Computer Science + Maths = For digital design and engineering

  • D&T rewards creativity combined with high-quality making. Here's how to succeed:


    Start your project early – Don't leave coursework until the last minute. Design takes time, making takes longer. Plan carefully and start as early as possible.


    Develop design work thoroughly – Don't settle on your first idea. Generate multiple concepts, sketch extensively, model ideas. Development work shows thinking and earns marks.


    Aim for high-quality making – Practice techniques before using them on your final product. Take time to finish products properly. Quality of making significantly impacts your grade.


    Document everything thoroughly – Photograph design development, prototypes, making processes, testing. Visual documentation of your journey is crucial for assessment.

  • D&T graduates can go on to work as:

    • product designers

    • industrial designers

    • design engineers

    • furniture makers/designers

    • CAD technicians

    • manufacturing engineers

    • design teachers

    • and in innovation and development roles.

  • Design & Technology is valued by universities. Universities recognise the creativity, problem-solving and practical skills it develops.


    Design & Technology A-Level opens doors to degrees in:


    • Product Design

    • Industrial Design

    • Engineering (especially Design Engineering)

    • Architecture

    • Furniture Design

    • Innovation and Entrepreneurship

    • Automotive Design


    Top tip: D&T shows you can turn ideas into reality - many universities value the combination of creativity and technical skills, especially for design and engineering courses.

  • Ask yourself:


    • Do I enjoy both designing and making things?

    • Am I willing to spend significant time in the workshop?

    • Can I work safely with tools and machinery?

    • Do I enjoy solving practical problems creatively?

    • Am I prepared for the time commitment of a major making project?

    • Can I visualise products and communicate ideas through drawing?

Design and manufacturing industries: Skills in designing, prototyping, and making are valuable across product development, manufacturing, and innovation sectors.

All A Levels

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Art & Design (Art, Craft & Design)

Exploring and creating work across a wide range of art, craft, and design materials and techniques.

Art & Design (Fine Art)

Exploring and creating ideas using a range of artistic and creative skills and materials.

Art & Design (Graphic Communication)

Designing visual ideas using creativity, typography, images, and digital tools to communicate messages.

Art & Design (Textile Design)

Designing and creating original fabric-based work using creative techniques, materials, and textile processes.

Art & Design (Three-dimesional Design)

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Biology

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Business Studies

Understanding how businesses operate, make decisions, and compete in a changing economic and global environment.

Chemistry

Understanding how substances are structured, how they react, and how to calculate and explain chemical changes using theory and experiments.

Classical Civilisation

Explores the literature, history, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome while developing strong skills in analysis, interpretation, and essay writing.

Computer Science

Learning how computers work and how to design, write, and analyse programs and algorithms to solve problems.

Design & Technology

Combines designing products with making them to a high standard.

Drama & Theatre

Studying plays through both performance and analysis, combining acting, staging, and written evaluation of theatre.

Economics

Understanding how individuals, businesses, and governments make choices about money, resources, and the economy.

English Language & Literature

Studying how writers use language and literary techniques to create meaning across fiction, drama, poetry, and non-fiction texts.

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Environmental Science

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Film Studies

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French

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Further Mathematics

Studying advanced and challenging mathematics that goes beyond A-Level Maths, focusing on deep problem-solving and abstract thinking.

Geography

Understanding how the Earth’s physical processes and human activity shape places, environments, and the way people live.

German

Developing the ability to understand, speak, read, and write German fluently while exploring German-speaking culture and society.

History

Understanding how and why the past happened by analysing events, people, and sources and building written arguments.

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Italian

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Japanese

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Latin

Reading and analysing Latin texts while learning the language and exploring Roman culture and history.

Law

Understanding how the legal system works and how laws are applied to real-life situations.

Mandarin Chinese

Developing the ability to understand, speak, read, and write Mandarin Chinese fluently while exploring Chinese culture and society.

Mathematics

Understanding how numbers, symbols, and graphs are used to solve problems and explain the world.

Media Studies

Studying how media is created, analysed, and used to communicate ideas and influence audiences.

Modern Foreign Language

Develops your ability to speak, understand, read, and write a foreign language fluently while exploring the culture, society, and history of countries where it is spoken.

Music

Develop your skills in performing, composing, and analysing music across different styles while building a deeper understanding of how music works.

Music Technology

Focuses on recording, producing, and creating music using professional software and studio techniques while studying how music is made and processed.

Philosophy

Exploring big questions about reality, knowledge, and morality through logic, arguments, and critical thinking.

Photography

Learning how to capture, edit, and present images creatively using cameras and digital techniques.

Physical Education

Combining practical sport performance with the study of the science, psychology, and social factors behind physical activity.

Physics

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Psychology

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Sociology

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Spanish

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Common A Level combinations

This A Level pairs well with:

Politics
Sociology
Modern Languages
Politics
Philosophy
Drama & Theatre
Sciences (to keep STEM options open)
Psychology
Maths

Popular A Level combinations

D&T + Physics + Maths = For engineering or product design routes
D&T + Art + Graphics = Full creative design focus
D&T + Business + Maths = Design with commercial understanding
D&T + Computer Science + Maths = For digital design and engineering

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