The OCR Level 1/Level 2 Cambridge National in Engineering Design is aimed at students aged 14-16 and will develop knowledge, understanding and practical skills that would be used in the engineering design and development sector.

The Cambridge National in Engineering Design will encourage students to:

• understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Engineering Design, including the design process, types of drawings, influences on design, and the use of Computer Aided Design (CAD)

• develop learning and practical skills that can be applied to real-life contexts and work situations

• think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically 

• develop independence and confidence in using skills that would be relevant to the engineering design and development sector and more widely

•  analyse problems in design terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, and modelling designs to meet a design brief

• understand the different stages of the iterative design process, recognising the cyclical nature of this approach

• evaluate designs through product disassembly and the process of using product analysis.

What will I study?

Students must complete three units:

• one externally assessed unit (exam)

• two centre-assessed units (NEA).

R038 Principles of engineering design

R039 Communicating designs

R040 Design evaluation and modelling

R038: Principles of engineering design This is assessed by an exam. In this unit you will learn about the design process, and all of the stages that are involved.

Topics include: o Designing processes o Designing requirements o Communicating design outcomes o Evaluating design ideas

R039: Communicating designs This is assessed by a set assignment. In this unit you will learn how to use sketching and engineering drawings to communicate your ideas.

Topics include: o Manual production of freehand sketches o Manual production of engineering drawings o Use of computer aided design (CAD)

R040: Design, evaluation and modelling This is assessed by a set assignment. In this unit you will learn how to create and test models of your design.

Topics include: o Product evaluation o Modelling design ideas

How will I be assessed?

R038: Principles of engineering design

This unit is assessed by an exam. The exam is 1 hour 15 minutes. It has two Sections — Section A and Section B. • Section A has 10 marks • Section B has 60 marks • The exam has 70 marks in total This will be conducted under examination conditions 

R039: Communicating designs. This is assessed by a set assignment. 

R040: Design, evaluation and modelling. This is assessed by a set assignment.

What further career options and pathways are available to you after this course?

Engineering is a driving force in the UK’s economy, accounting for 21.4% (£1.2 trillion) of the UK’s £5.7 trillion turnover in 20181 . However, there is a considerable shortage of appropriately skilled workers in the engineering sector.

Many careers opportunities are available in this field including:

• Civil engineers

• Structural engineers

• Architects

• Surveying

• Building Services Engineers

• Biomedical engineer

• Civil/structural engineer

• Computer engineer

• Electrical/electronic engineer

• Environmental engineer

• Marine engineer

• Mechanical engineer