Engineering

The Cambridge National in Engineering Design aims to equip students with foundational knowledge, practical skills, and a comprehensive understanding of engineering design principles.

You will:

• Understand and apply fundamental principles of Engineering Design, including design processes, drawing types, influences on design, and Computer-Aided Design (CAD).
• Develop practical skills applicable to real-life contexts and work situations within the engineering design and development sector.
• Cultivate creative, innovative, analytical, logical, and critical thinking abilities.
• Gain independence and confidence in utilizing relevant skills within engineering design and beyond.
• Analyse design problems through practical experience, designing and modelling to meet specific design briefs.
• Grasp the iterative design process and evaluate designs through product disassembly and analysis.

Students will study the following units:

Principles of engineering design (R038)

Assessment for this unit is conducted through an exam. Within this module, you will delve into the intricacies of the design process, encompassing all stages involved. Key topics covered comprise:

• Designing processes
• Designing requirements
• Communicating design outcomes
• Evaluating design ideas

Communicating designs (RO39)

Within this unit, you will acquire the skills necessary to effectively communicate your ideas through sketching and engineering drawings. Key topics covered include:

• Producing freehand sketches manually
• Creating engineering drawings manually
• Utilizing Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Design evaluation and modelling (RO40)

This practical unit involves students conducting a research project and fabricating an item in accordance with the exam board's specified brief. Throughout this unit, you will gain proficiency in generating and assessing design models. Key topics encompass:

• Evaluating products
• Modelling design concepts

Assessment

R038 is assessed by an examination, which is worth 40% of the qualification

RO39 and RO40 are assessed from practical skills-based projects and form 60% of the course.

Requirements

We will provide you with a revision guide and no equipment is needed.

Where can it lead?

Career Opportunities

Studying engineering at the GCSE level can open up a range of promising career opportunities. Some potential career paths include:

• Mechanical Engineer
• Civil Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Aerospace Engineer
• Computer Hardware Engineer
• Biomedical Engineer
• Environmental Engineer
• Structural Engineer
• Automotive Engineer
• Robotics Engineer
• Renewable Energy Engineer
• Telecommunications Engineer

Studying engineering at the GCSE level provides a solid foundation for pursuing higher education in engineering disciplines or entering the workforce directly through apprenticeships or entry-level positions. Additionally, the problem-solving and analytical skills developed during engineering studies are valuable in various industries, making engineering graduates sought after in the job market

Post-16 opportunities

This engineering course provides a pathway for advancing to Vocational Engineering levels 2 and 3, or pursuing a T Level in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacture. Additionally, it opens doors to further studies such as Design and Technology at A Level, as well as various apprenticeships within the sector.