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Year 9 Options - Product Design (D&T)

WHY THIS SUBJECT IS IMPORTANT

Design and Technology (D&T) is about learning how the world around us is designed and made — and then learning how to do it yourself. Almost everything you use every day has been designed by someone: phones, furniture, clothes, buildings, packaging, cars, tools, and even medical equipment. By studying GCSE D&T, you learn how to:

  • Solve real-world problems
  • Think creatively and logically
  • Design products that meet real needs
  • Understand how products affect people, society, and the environment

D&T helps you become a confident problem solver, someone who can take an idea from a sketch and turn it into a working solution. These skills are valuable in any career, not just design-based ones.

WHAT WILL I STUDY?

GCSE Design and Technology (Eduqas) is a creative and practical subject, but it also involves theory, research, and written work. You will study:

  • The design process – investigating problems, developing ideas, making prototypes, and evaluating outcomes
  • Materials and components, such as Timbers, Metals, Polymers (plastics), Textiles and Modern and smart materials
  • Manufacturing processes – how products are made in industry
  • Tools, machinery, and equipment – including safe and accurate use
  • Computer-aided design (CAD) and digital technologies
  • Sustainability and environmental impact of Products
  • Product analysis – why products look and work the way they do
  • User needs and ergonomics – designing for real people

This subject suits students who enjoy being creative, thinking creatively, and working through problems step by step.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

GCSE Design and Technology is assessed in two main parts:

1. Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) – 50%

This is a long design-and-make project started in Year 10 and completed in Year 11. You will: Choose a design problem from a set theme. Research existing products and users. Develop and refine design ideas. Make a high-quality final prototype and evaluate how successful your design is

This project is completed mostly in lesson time and shows your ability to design, make, and think independently.

2. Written Examination – 50%

One written exam at the end of Year 11, testing your knowledge of materials, processes, design theory, and sustainability. It will include a mix of multiple-choice, short-answer, and longer design questions. You do not need to be “good at writing essays,” but you do need to explain ideas clearly. You need to have a strong foundation in Maths.

WHAT DOES THIS SUBJECT LOOK LIKE AT COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY?

If you enjoy GCSE D&T, it can lead to:

  • A Level Design and Technology
  • T Levels in Design, Engineering, Construction, or Manufacturing
  • Apprenticeships in design, engineering, product development, or trades

The skills you learn — creativity, planning, problem-solving, resilience — are highly valued in further education and training.

WHAT CAREERS COULD THIS LEAD TO?

Design and Technology can lead to a huge range of careers, including:

  • Product Designer
  • Engineer (mechanical, electrical, civil, design)
  • Architect
  • Furniture or Interior Designer
  • Automotive or Aerospace Designer
  • Graphic or Industrial Designer
  • Technician or CAD Designer

Even if you don’t choose a design-based career, D&T gives you transferable skills that employers really value.

NB:- There is a cost of £15.00, to be paid in Year 10, which goes towards the materials needed for student projects.  There will then be a further cost in Year 11 towards the making of their own product and for any other materials/equipment they might need which will be a minimum of £20.