Pearson
Level 3
QN: 603/0697/X
Curriculum Active
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Design and Technology (Product Design)
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by Pearson. Classified as a GCE A Level. Total guided learning hours: 360 hours.
Qualification Level
Level 3
Awarding Body
Pearson
Syllabus Units
2 Units
Guided Hours
360 hrs
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Design and Technology in Society
Ethical and Social Issues
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Discuss ethical issues in design: fair trade, labour conditions, planned obsolescence
- Evaluate the social impact of products on different user groups
2
Design and Technology in Society
Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Identify the key intellectual property rights (copyright, patents, trademarks) applicable to product designs.
- Explain the purpose and application of CE marking in ensuring product safety.
- Describe the requirements of RoHS and WEEE directives for hazardous substances and waste management.
- Evaluate the impact of regulatory compliance on the design and manufacturing process.
- Apply knowledge of trademark and patent systems to protect innovative products.
- Analyze the role of standards (e.g., BS, ISO) in meeting legal requirements.
3
Design and Technology in Society
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Analyse the environmental impact of products using life cycle assessment (LCA)
- Apply the principles of sustainable design including reduce, reuse, recycle, and repair
- Evaluate the role of legislation and environmental standards in shaping sustainable manufacturing
- Critically assess the benefits and limitations of the circular economy model
- Design a product lifecycle strategy to minimise environmental impact
- Interpret carbon footprint data to propose eco-design improvements
4
Design Theory and Practice
Design Communication
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Communicate design ideas using sketches, drawings, models, and digital presentations
- Use appropriate annotation and technical language
5
Design Theory and Practice
Design History and Influences
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Analyse the work of influential designers and design movements
- Evaluate how social, cultural, and economic factors influence design
- Compare the design philosophies of contrasting historical periods, such as Arts and Crafts versus Modernism
- Assess the legacy of a specific designer or movement on contemporary manufacturing practices
- Investigate how technological advancements have altered design possibilities across different eras
6
Design Theory and Practice
Design Process and Iterative Design
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Apply the iterative design process: investigation, specification, ideation, development, testing, evaluation
- Use design strategies such as user-centred design, inclusive design, and sustainable design
7
Designing and Making Principles
Evaluation and Testing
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Select appropriate testing techniques to evaluate prototype functionality against design specifications.
- Implement systematic test procedures to collect quantitative and qualitative data on prototype performance.
- Analyse test results to identify deviations from specifications and potential failure modes.
- Justify design modifications based on evidence from testing and user feedback.
- Evaluate the impact of proposed changes on product manufacturability and sustainability.
- Document the iterative design process with clear links between evaluation outcomes and refinement decisions.
8
Designing and Making Principles
Product Specification and Development
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Write a detailed product specification including function, aesthetics, ergonomics, materials, and cost
- Develop and refine design ideas through modelling and testing
- Evaluate the impact of user-centred design principles on product specification
- Apply quantitative methods to define functional performance criteria
- Analyse the trade-offs between material properties, manufacturing processes, and product cost
- Justify design modifications based on prototyping outcomes and test data
9
Designing and Making Principles
Prototyping and Manufacturing
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate material properties and selection criteria for functional prototypes
- Apply appropriate manufacturing processes to realise prototype functionality
- Develop a detailed manufacturing plan incorporating workflow and resource allocation
- Implement quality control procedures to monitor and verify process output
- Analyse manufacturing costs and lead times to improve production efficiency
- Reflect on design iterations based on prototype testing and feedback
10
Digital Design and Manufacture
CAD and Modelling
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Use CAD software to create 3D models and 2D technical drawings
- Apply modelling techniques: parametric, direct, surface modelling
11
Digital Design and Manufacture
CAM and Rapid Prototyping
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Analyse the advantages and limitations of subtractive vs additive manufacturing for given product scenarios.
- Evaluate the role of rapid prototyping in reducing product development time and cost.
- Justify the selection of specific CAM processes based on material properties and design specifications.
- Compare the accuracy and surface finish achievable with CNC milling and 3D printing technologies.
12
Materials
Material Categories and Properties
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate the suitability of different material categories for specified engineering applications based on their working properties.
- Classify given materials correctly into the seven main categories, justifying the reasoning with reference to their physical properties.
- Analyse the relationship between microscopic structure and macroscopic properties in metals and polymers.
- Compare the physical and working properties of natural woods and manufactured composites to determine optimal use cases.
13
Materials
Material Enhancement and Finishes
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe methods of enhancing material properties through heat treatment, alloying, and surface finishes
- Explain the purpose and application of common finishes for different materials
- Analyse the effects of heat treatment parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ferrous metals
- Evaluate the suitability of a surface finish for a given engineering application, considering cost, performance, and environmental impact
14
Materials
Material Selection
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Select appropriate materials for a given product based on properties, cost, availability, and environmental impact
- Justify material choices using data from sources such as CES EduPack
- Evaluate trade-offs between competing material options using performance indices
- Interpret material property charts to shortlist candidates
- Assess the sustainability of material choices through life-cycle thinking
15
Performance Characteristics of Materials
Mechanical Properties
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the principles of stress, strain, and Young’s modulus using appropriate mathematical relationships.
- Calculate stress and strain for given load and dimensional data, and determine Young’s modulus from experimental results.
- Analyse stress-strain curves for ductile and brittle materials, identifying key points such as yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and fracture point.
- Differentiate between elastic and plastic deformation in terms of atomic bonding and material behaviour.
- Evaluate the suitability of materials for specific engineering applications based on their mechanical properties including hardness, toughness, ductility, and malleability.
- Interpret hardness test results to infer material strength and wear resistance.
16
Performance Characteristics of Materials
Physical Properties
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe thermal properties including thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, and specific heat capacity.
- Explain how electrical resistivity and conductivity dictate material use in conductors and insulators.
- Evaluate the effect of optical properties such as transparency and refractive index on product aesthetics and function.
- Analyze the trade-offs between physical properties when selecting materials for multi-functional products.
- Apply quantitative methods to compare physical properties from data sheets for engineering decisions.
17
Processes and Manufacture
Health and Safety in Manufacture
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Identify hazards and risk assessment in manufacturing environments
- Explain the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety procedures
18
Processes and Manufacture
Industrial and Commercial Practice
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the use of jigs, fixtures, templates, and patterns in manufacturing
- Describe the role of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacture (CAM) in industrial practice
- Evaluate the impact of jigs and fixtures on production consistency and waste reduction
- Analyse the benefits and limitations of CAD/CAM integration for batch and mass production
- Assess how industrial tooling and digital technologies contribute to lean manufacturing principles
19
Processes and Manufacture
Primary and Secondary Processing
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe primary processes: casting, moulding, forming, cutting, joining
- Describe secondary processes: machining, finishing, assembly
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 603/0697/X
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- Pearson
- Qualification Type
- GCE A Level
- Operational Start
- Aug 2017