The CCEA GCE Technology and Design specification encourages students to recognise and overcome challenges and constraints when working towards making high quality products.

This specification is available at two levels: AS and A2. Students can take the AS units plus the A2 units for a full GCE A level qualification. They can also choose to take the AS course as a stand-alone qualification.

The AS units include a common core of design and materials and a specialised study of:

• systems and control (either electronic and microelectronic systems or mechanical and pneumatic systems); or
• product design.

Students also complete a product development task that is internally assessed.

Students who continue to A2 explore systems and control (either electronic and microelectronic systems or mechanical and pneumatic systems) or product design in greater detail than at AS level. The A2 course includes an internally assessed design-and-make task.

The specification has four units:

• Unit AS 1: Compulsory: Design and Materials and
  Option: Systems and Control or Product Design
• Unit AS 2: Coursework: Product Development
• Unit A2 1: Systems and Control or Product Design
• Unit A2 2: Coursework: Product–System Design and Manufacture.