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3D Design – D&T: Product Design A Level – Alton

A Level

someone hand drawing a design

Availability & Details

D&T Product Design - A Level AF1-DETEAL/C01

Venue
Alton Campus

Type of study
A Levels

Dates
Academic Year 2025-26 (2 years)

Examination board
AQA Education

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Overview

This course is intended to provide you with the skills and knowledge to be successful when applying for three-dimensional design-based employment or degree courses e.g. Product Design, Industrial Design, Modelmaking, Craft, Furniture etc. But because the course is creative, technical and both practical and academic, it has also proved to be an excellent foundation for students with artistic, architectural or engineering intentions. Designing uses a highly diverse set of skills and on this course, you will: research, analyse, summarise, define, plan, develop, prove, calculate, communicate, process, fabricate, test, evaluate and modify. When you have completed this course, you will have a digital portfolio as evidence of your broad skill set and management capability.

Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including Mathematics and a creative or technical subject.

Year 1• Project: To design and prototype a unique yet appropriate product for an identified group of users. In this project you will study how people interact with products, then you will draw up concepts, use CAD to communicate and simulate products, and model and prototype the parts of a proposal.• Study: You will test material properties and then learn about forming, joining and finishing processes for a range of materials e.g. casting, welding, plasma cutting, routing, milling, 3D printing etc.Year 2• Project: To design and prototype a product, for an identified client or group of users. In this project, you will analyse situations and plan a project, generate and develop solutions, produce a one-off or prototype and then test its feasibility.• Study: You will gain an understanding of the range of constraints, influences and opportunities that impact the work of designers e. g. culture and society, industrialisation, sustainability, new technologies, human characteristics etc. 

All lessons are undertaken in a large and modern purpose-built design and make space, where you can move from designing to making when you are ready. Everything from a modern CAD suite, layout space, workbenches and traditional and modern machinery is all combined in one space. This is successful because combined with integrated extraction are ceiling-mounted air filtration units and a downdraught (dust catching) workbench that retains high standards of air quality at all times.You will be encouraged to develop independence in both thought and action, but staff are extensively available to support you with your work when you need more time or another opinion.Learning is achieved through project work and topic-based activities. Projects help you to gain confidence, design capability and practical skills and allow you to focus on your interests.

• 50% Coursework• 30% Technical Principles exam• 20% Design and Making Principles exam

£35 for core textbook.Students will need to cover the cost of materials and resources used in the production of models and prototypes.

Students who successfully complete this course can, and have, moved onto Higher Education or into employment along the following design-based routes: product designer, industrial designer, product engineer, model-maker, craft worker, production designer, draughtsperson, CAD operator, interior architect, architect, technologist, ergonomist etc.


The teaching and support was really great, the quality was really great, all the teachers really care about your education as well as your wellbeing, they take everything into consideration and they’re great.

Katie Whittingham, A Level student

I overcame a couple of barriers by working really hard to get the top grades. My experience was really good, with the course and the lecturers, the residentials and activities, together it was all really good. I had really great teaching support, I could always go to the lecturers and speak to them if I needed to.

David Stenning, Public Services student

My experience at the College was great, it’s very different to school, and I think it’s a good step to going to university. The support was amazing, I loved all of my teachers, they helped me through everything. The College is friendly and you will succeed.

Heidi Adamson Brattland, A Level student