A-Level

D&T: Engineering Design

East Barnet School > Education > All EBS Courses > KS5 > D&T: Engineering Design
A technical drawing of screws and engineering parts
D&T: Engineering Design

Entry Criteria

Maths GCSE

Grade 6

D&T Subject GCSE

Grade 6

Speak to staff if not studied at GCSE

Careers

Designers and engineers are in high demand, offering strong graduate employment prospects, especially in fields like aerospace, electronics, nuclear, and industrial engineering. Even if you choose a different path, the skills developed here will make you highly sought after across various industries. High earning potential: As a graduate, you can start with an average salary of £24,000, with experienced professionals earning up to £80,000 (National Careers Service). International opportunities: Designers and engineers have the chance to work globally, helping build city infrastructures or work on diverse projects for top companies like Mercedes, BP, and Airbus. Improve the world: Use your skills to solve real-world problems and contribute to society, whether through technology, sustainable design, or construction. Career options include product design, set design, engineering (mechanical, electrical, aerospace, and more), architecture, fashion, graphic design, carpentry, construction management, photography, surveying, and many others.

Can We Help?

If you require any further information about the curriculum we are following in this subject, please click here to contact the Head of Faculty/Department.

Course ID
OCR H404
Faculty
Design & Technology
Department
Design & Technology
Level
A-Level
Head of Faculty
C. Roncarati
Head of Department
C. Zane
Availability
Currently Studied, Not Offered Next Academic Year
D&T: Engineering Design

Course Overview

There is so much waiting for you in the exciting world of engineering and our OCR Engineering course, where you’ll take your skills from KS4 in D&T or Engineering GCSE to the next level! This course is designed to ignite your passion for design and innovation while equipping you with practical skills that are in high demand.

You will learn from a common core that blends seamlessly with other D&T subjects, with a thorough focus on key areas of Engineering. This includes everything from identifying requirements and learning from existing products to exploring the wider implications of design. You’ll master design thinking and communication techniques, dive deep into material considerations and technical understanding, and gain hands-on experience with manufacturing processes and techniques. Plus, you’ll learn about the viability of your design solutions and the crucial aspects of health and safety.

Through a mix of small projects, engaging theory lessons, and in-depth product analysis, you’ll develop a comprehensive understanding of the engineering field. The highlight of the course is your NEA (non-exam assessment), a year-long project where you’ll research a real-world problem, design, and create a practical solution. This is your chance to showcase your creativity and technical skills in a way that truly matters!

Join us on this journey of discovery and innovation, where you’ll not only learn but also apply your knowledge to real challenges. If you’re ready to turn your ideas into reality and embark on a thrilling engineering adventure, this course is for you. Let’s build your future together!

Course Content

Year 12

Term Unit of Work Assessment
Autumn 1 Theory: analyse existing products; demonstrate applied mathematical skills; demonstrate technical knowledge of materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes and techniques; demonstrate understanding of wider social, moral and environmental issues that impact on the design and manufacturing industries.
Trial NEA: apply knowledge, understanding and skills of designing and manufacturing prototypes and products; demonstrate higher thinking skills to solve problems and evaluate situations and suitability of design solutions.
 
Autumn 2 Theory: What considerations need to be made about the structural integrity of a design solution? How do mechanisms provide functionality to products and systems? What forces need consideration to ensure structural and mechanical efficiency? How can electronic systems offer functionality to design solutions? How can programmable devices and smart technologies provide functionality in system design?
Trial NEA: Final Assessment for this trial unit will be in the form of a completed CAD drawing accompanying sketchwork and working drawings with a fully functioning 3d prototype that incorporates additive manufacturing.
 
Spring 1 Theory (Engineering Mathematics Theory): Newton’s laws of motion, Hooke’s law, Ohm’s law as appropriate to the design product.
NEA (Iterative Design Project): analysis of design contexts; research into design needs; identification of essential stakeholders.
End of unit test.
NEA – Coursework 50% of total A-Level mark.
Spring 2 Theory (Preparation for Iterative design project NEA): Preparation for NEA – what is the NEA? How many marks is it worth? 50%.
Practical (NEA – project work, research): analysis of design contexts; research into design needs; identification of essential stakeholders.
Exemplar material – preparation of PowerPoint, scatter chart of ideas.
Summer 1 Theory (Engineering Coursework NEA): key Stakeholder requirements; research into design parameters. NEA: Iterative Design Project – Coursework 50% of total A-Level mark.
Summer 2 NEA: design ideas, development, modelling, CAD. Stakeholder feedback.

 

Year 13

Term Unit of Work Assessment
Autumn 1 Iterative Design Project: Design ideas /evaluation of ideas; modelling of basic concepts, feedback from clients, design developments. Students will be required to demonstrate their ability to analyse a given problem, imagine solutions to that problem, use a range of modelling techniques, produce a prototype and communicate their ideas clearly. Students should use sketches or modelling to show technical concepts and the initial steps in generating a functional solution.  
Autumn 2 Iterative Design Project: Development of ideas and advanced modelling / early prototype, Working Drawings and CAD modelling. Students will demonstrate their ability to develop illustrated design ideas that conform to sector-specific conventions, use CAD effectively and clearly annotate their drawings.  
Spring 1 Iterative Design Project: Manufacture of Final Prototype. Students will demonstrate their ability to produce and follow a production plan and explain the stages of production, consider repeatability and use CNC, explain the quality control measures taken and consider health and safety. Students will demonstrate their ability to use safely a range of materials and equipment and explain their choices, consider quality control and work to tolerances.  
Spring 2 Iterative Design Project: Evaluation / Further developments of NEA. Examination Theory: Exam practice/Revision techniques. Students will demonstrate their ability to undertake testing of their product and evaluate its effectiveness. They will also be expected to provide an honest evaluation of the product and make recommendations for improvements.  
Summer 1 Examination Theory: Exam technique and practice / past papers. Paper 1 H401
(26.7% of Total A level)
Paper 2 H402
(23.3% of Total A level)
Summer 2 ‘A’ Level Examination. ‘A’ Level Examination.

 

Extended Learning

Year 12

Websites Read Visit or Watch Extra
OCR D&T A Level; Hodder Education D&T. Essential Maths Skills for AS/A Level Design & Technology (Peter Warne & Chris Walker); OCR Design & Technology for AS/A Level (Chris Walker, John Grundy, Sharon McCarthy, Jacki Piroddi). How It’s Made;
How Do They Do That?
 

 

Year 13

Websites Read Visit or Watch Extra
OCR D&T A Level; Hodder Education D&T. Essential Maths Skills for AS/A Level Design & Technology (Peter Warne & Chris Walker); OCR Design & Technology for AS/A Level (Chris Walker, John Grundy, Sharon McCarthy, Jacki Piroddi). How It’s Made.
How Do They Do That?