A Level D&T: Design Engineering Tutoring
There is no A Level called Engineering. OCR A Level Design and Technology: Design Engineering (H404) is the A Level that covers it, and our tutors support both exam papers and the skills behind the design project.
H404 combines mechanical, electronic and programmable systems with materials, manufacturing and design. It is assessed by two written papers (50% together) and an iterative design project (50%). Most engineering degrees ask for A Level Maths and Physics, and vocational Level 3 routes such as OCR's Cambridge Advanced Nationals in Engineering, BTEC Nationals and engineering T Levels are not A Levels.
What You Get with A Level D&T: Design Engineering Tutoring
Comprehensive support designed to help you achieve your target grade
Exam Mastery
- Principles of Design Engineering: product analysis, technical knowledge and applied maths
- Problem Solving in Design Engineering: longer answers that solve problems and evaluate design solutions
- Past paper practice with mark scheme analysis and worked examples
- Setting out calculations clearly so method marks are not lost
Design Project Skills
- What the marking criteria reward as you explore, create and evaluate
- Iterative designing, modelling and testing, practised on example projects
- Recording decisions in a clear, chronological portfolio
- CAD, electronics and programming skills taught through practice tasks
Concept Building
- Mechanisms, structures and forces in real products
- Electronic and programmable systems: sensors, microcontrollers and outputs
- Materials, manufacturing processes and quality control
- Regular progress tracking and personalised study plans
Students Improving Their Design Engineering Grades
"The circuit analysis questions in Paper 1 were killing me. My tutor walked through op-amp circuits step by step until they made complete sense."
Ryan S.
A Level Engineering, AQA, Summer 2024
"My engineering project report was solid on the making but weak on evaluation. My tutor showed me exactly how to structure evidence-based evaluation and my NEA mark jumped."
Nina P.
A Level Engineering, AQA, Summer 2024
"The maths in Paper 2 - moments, stress-strain, thermodynamics - was really holding me back. Getting a tutor who knew the engineering context made all the difference."
Marcus T.
A Level Engineering, AQA, Summer 2023
How It Works
Simple steps to get started with A Level D&T: Design Engineering tutoring
Buy a Bundle
Choose 3 to 100 hours based on your needs. Split across subjects if needed.
Complete Onboarding
Tell us your exam board, year group, weak areas, goals, and scheduling preferences.
Get Matched & Start
Matched within 24 hours. Schedule your first session immediately.
A Level D&T: Design Engineering Syllabus Coverage
Our tutors support OCR A Level Design and Technology: Design Engineering (H404), the A Level that covers engineering. Both written papers draw on the content below. If you are taking a vocational engineering course such as a BTEC, a Cambridge Advanced National or a T Level instead, tell us when you sign up: these are Level 3 qualifications, but not A Levels.
1Mechanical Systems & Structures
- Types of motion: rotary, linear, reciprocating and oscillating
- Gears, cams, pulleys, levers, linkages and epicyclic gear systems
- Forces in structures: tension, compression, torsion and bending
- Stress, strain, elasticity and modes of failure
- +1 more
2Electronic & Programmable Systems
- Input, process and output: sensors, programmable microcontrollers and output devices
- Passive components, and signal amplification with MOSFETs and driver ICs
- Analogue and digital signals; open and closed loop control with feedback
- Voltage, current, Ohm's law and power
- +1 more
3Materials & Components
- Metals and alloys, polymers, timbers and manufactured boards
- Composites such as glass-reinforced plastic and carbon fibre
- Smart and modern materials, from shape memory alloy to graphene
- Properties such as tensile strength, strength to weight ratio and conductivity
- +1 more
4Manufacturing & Quality
- Workshop processes: cutting, drilling, turning, milling, soldering and welding
- CAM: 3D printing, laser cutting and CNC machining
- Industrial methods: injection moulding, die casting, sheet metal forming and PCB assembly
- Scales of production, lean and just-in-time manufacture
- +1 more
5Design Thinking & Wider Issues
- Exploring contexts, stakeholders and user requirements
- Analysing existing products and new technologies
- Sketching, CAD and system diagrams to communicate ideas
- Lifecycle assessment, sustainability and intellectual property
- +1 more
6Maths & Science
- At least 25% of the written exam marks assess maths at higher-tier GCSE level or above
- Applying scientific knowledge and formulae to justify design decisions
- Forces, stress and strain, and electrical calculations in context
- Formulae from the specification that you must be able to recall
- +1 more
A Level D&T: Design Engineering Assessment Structure
Understand exactly how you'll be assessed and prepare strategically for each component
Component 01 - Principles of Design Engineering
Written ExamMostly technical principles: analysing existing products, applied maths, and knowledge of materials, how products work, manufacturing processes and the social, moral and environmental issues behind them
Component 02 - Problem Solving in Design Engineering
Written ExamLonger answer questions on problem solving and critical evaluation: applying what you know about designing and manufacturing prototypes and products, and judging how suitable design solutions are
Components 03/04 - Iterative Design Project (NEA)
Coursework / NEAA substantial design, make and evaluate project built on the iterative cycle of explore, create and evaluate. You identify a design opportunity or problem from a context of your own choice.
Key Assessment Notes
- No board in England (AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel or WJEC Eduqas) offers an A Level called Engineering. OCR's Design and Technology: Design Engineering (H404) is the A Level that covers it, and it continues
- OCR is withdrawing its AS Levels in Design and Technology, including AS Design Engineering (H004), whose final exams are in June 2027. The A Level H404 is not affected
- At least 25% of the written exam marks assess maths, more than the 15% in OCR's other D&T titles
- Most engineering degrees ask for A Level Maths and Physics. Vocational Level 3 routes such as OCR's Cambridge Advanced Nationals in Engineering, BTEC Nationals in Engineering and engineering T Levels are not A Levels
- The design project must be your own work under JCQ rules: your teacher gives feedback on it, and tutors teach the skills using other material
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about A Level D&T: Design Engineering tutoring