Programmes & Qualifications

Cambridge International AS & A Level Design & Technology (9705)

Syllabus overview

Available in a limited number of Administrative zones. See ‘Important notices’ below for details.

Cambridge International AS & A Level Design & Technology encourages learners to be innovative and creative and to develop their ability to design and make high quality products.

The syllabus develops learners’:

knowledge and understanding of materials, tools, equipment, components, production processes and industrial practices in the designing and making of marketable products
verbal, written, digital and visual communication skills required for designing and making
critical evaluation skills which they apply in a variety of technical, aesthetic, economic, environmental, social and cultural contexts
innovative thinking when identifying and solving design needs.

Syllabuses

The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.

Syllabus updates

Syllabus changes
- We have updated the subject content to reflect changes in the industry and field of study and to reflect the changing role of the designer in society.
  
  The assessment for the written papers and the coursework projects have been updated to make them more accessible to learners and teachers and to reflect up to date best assessment practice and feedback from teachers and Higher Education institutions.
  
  For full details of the changes, please see the 2025-2027 syllabus above.
Teaching and learning resources
- Coming soon
  
  We are developing a comprehensive range of resources to help teachers deliver this updated syllabus.
  
  We aim to provide a scheme of work and other relevant classroom resources. Example Candidate Responses will be available following the first examination in 2025. Visit the School Support Hub from June 2025 onwards for details.

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Important notices

Syllabus availability
- Cambridge International AS and A Level Design and Technology (9705) is available to centres in Admin zones 3 and 4 only in our June exam series in 2023 and 2024. In November, this syllabus is available to all administrative zones.
  
  From June 2025, this syllabus will be available in all Administrative zones in the June and November series.
  
  Please see our Guide to making entries in Direct for more information.

School Support Hub

We provide a wide range of support so that teachers can give their learners the best possible preparation for Cambridge programmes and qualifications. For teachers at registered Cambridge schools, support materials for specific syllabuses are available from the School Support Hub (username and password required).

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