Previous knowledge
Whilst the course is designed so that it can be taken without any previous knowledge, it is desirable that students who wish to study Design Technology at Standard Level have gained at least a grade C in Design Technology at GCSE level or equivalent, and students who wish to study the Higher Level have gained a grade B or above. Students who have not studied Design Technology immediately before Diploma level, or who have not achieved the desired grades, will only gain access to the course after an interview with the IB Coordinator and the Subject Leader of Design Technology to assess their suitability. (See ‘Who is the IB Diploma Programme for?’)

Design Technology SL and HL
The course focus is to encourage students to explore concepts and apply knowledge to solve design problems and make reasoned design decisions and proposals.  They will develop the ability to analyse and evaluate information and an awareness of the need for effective collaboration and communication in the world of Design. This will be facilitated through a variety of theory work coupled with some emphasis on practical exercises throughout the course. Standard and Higher Level students will study within the following topic areas:

The Design Process	Product Development
Product Innovation	Product Design
Green Design	Evaluation
Materials

Design Technology HL only

The Higher Level course aims to support and build upon the teaching and learning of the Standard Level course. In addition to the topic areas above Higher Level students will also study five additional topic areas:

Energy

Structures

Mechanical Design

Advanced Techniques

Sustainable Development

Assessment
All students will be formally examined at the end of the two-year course. Students will also be required to complete Internal Assessments centered around the topics appropriate to their level. Additionally students will choose one of two optional topics, Human Factors of Design or CAD / CAM.