What is this gateway?

Thinking about your Options?

Start shaping your future with the right choices.

Explore how the subjects and skills you’re learning now can lead to exciting careers in Engineering, Design & Manufacturing – a fast-moving sector packed with innovation, cutting-edge technology, and real-world impact. From designing the next generation of electric vehicles to building robots and 3D-printing aircraft parts, this is where creativity meets technical skill.

Check what’s available at your school and remember: choosing a strong mix of creative, technical, and analytical subjects keeps your options wide open and your future full of possibilities.

Core subjects

📖 English Language & Literature – Very useful for writing good project reports, presenting your designs to others, explaining your ideas clearly, and communicating well when working in a team

🔢 Maths – The backbone of all engineering: calculations, tolerances, stress analysis, cost modelling, and the language every designer and manufacturer speaks.

🧪 Science – Builds understanding of forces, energy, materials, chemistry and electricity – the real-world principles behind every product, machine and process you’ll design or make.

💻 Digital – Drives modern engineering: coding for automation, CAD/CAM software, 3D modelling, controlling robots, and running smart factories.

What to study?

Relevant Year 9 Options Subjects

Closely Linked Subjects

🖼️ 3D Design (Excel only) – Relevant for product design, prototyping, CAD modelling, and creating functional manufactured items.
🎨 Art – Relevant for product design, prototyping, and aesthetics in manufacturing.
💼 BTEC Enterprise – Important for understanding production, supply chains, and operations.
🏗️ Construction & the Built Environment – Useful for infrastructure and industrial facility roles.
🌐 French (Discovery) / Spanish (Excel) – Equips future engineers with valuable communication skills for working with international teams, collaborating on global projects, and understanding diverse technical documentation.
⚙️ Engineering – Core subject for manufacturing; covers design, materials, processes.
🌍 Geography – Useful for logistics, sustainability, and environmental impact studies.
🔬 Triple Science – Essential foundation for engineering; provides in-depth physics, chemistry, and biology knowledge needed for materials science, mechanics, energy systems, and technical manufacturing roles.

Linked Subjects

🚀 Boost: Skills for life & learning – Builds confidence and core skills in numeracy, literacy, science & digital to support GCSE Maths & English pass for Year 9 students working towards grade level.
💻 Computer Science – Key for educational software, basic coding play, and digital tools in early years settings.
🎨 Graphics (Excel only) – Essential for logo design, branding, posters, digital illustration and visual communication in creative industries.
📜 History – Valuable for storytelling, introducing time concepts, and sparking curiosity through past events.
📸 Photography – Develops the ability to document technical processes clearly, analyse visual information, and present engineering work professionally—essential skills for future engineers.
⚖️ Religious Education – Explores symbolism, logos, and designs to understand hidden meanings, build empathy, and support ethical/moral decision-making in engineering and manufacturing.
🧵 Textiles – Relevant for sensory play, crafting, and developing fine motor skills through textures and projects.

Career areas

Unlock Careers in Engineering, Design & Manufacturing

See the exciting career areas you can unlock by studying subjects within the Gateway. From designing smart factories to shaping sustainable materials and ensuring global supply chains run smoothly, these pathways turn your classroom learning into real-world impact.

The table below highlights the most popular and diverse roles currently in high demand—perfect starting points for your future.

Career Areas within this Gateway
✈️ Aerospace Engineer

 🧪 Chemical Engineer

 🏗️ Civil Engineer
🔬 Cryogenics Engineer

 ⚛️ Quantum Physicist

 🦺 Welder
🚗 Zero Emissions Vehicle Engineer

 🤖 Robotics Engineer

 🎨 Product Designer

Post-16 opportunities

T Levels

T Levels are a two-year qualification equivalent to three A Levels and combine classroom learning with an extended  in-depth industry placement lasting at least 45 days.   On completion, progression can be onto Higher / Degree apprenticeships, university or employment.

T level in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing is offered at the following local colleges:

A Levels

A-levels are a 2-year programme ideal for students who want to study 3 subjects in depth and plan to progress onto university or a Higher apprenticeship.  They can be a great option for learners who enjoy learning facts and theories, are good at exams and doing independent learning and research outside of the classroom.

Subjects relevant to Engineering, Design and Manufacturing include:

  • Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Product Design, Further Maths

A levels are offered at the following local colleges and 6th Forms:

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships can be a great option for learners who are ready for the work place and are sure about the job they want to pursue.  Learners will have to find an employer to take them on by searching for apprenticeship vacancies and going through the employer’s recruitment process.  Employers are generally looking for applicants who are self motivated, have a good standard of maths and English and are reliable and passionate about achieving their chosen job role.

School leavers will usually start on either a Level 2 (Intermediate) or Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship depending on job requirements and GCSE grades.  Level 3 apprenticeships are generally equivalent to 2 A-levels.

Search for Engineering & manufacturing vacancies by postcode Browse apprenticeships before you apply

Pre-Apprenticeships

Pre-apprenticeships are ideal for learners who want an apprenticeship but may not yet be work ready.  Need to improve your maths and English, develop your confidence or gain some relevant work experience?  If so, a pre-apprenticeship at a local training provider could be right for you.

Locally Martec Training offer motor vehicle pre-apprenticeships   Motor Vehicle Courses – Martec Training

Skill-Based courses

Skills based courses are available at level 1 and level 2 and will include English and maths, if grade 4 or above has not already been achieved in these subjects.

Stoke on Trent College (Burslem) offer Level 1 and level 2 Skills based courses in:
Motor Vehicle – Courses – Stoke-on-Trent College :Stoke-on-Trent College
Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) – Courses – Stoke-on-Trent College :Stoke-on-Trent College

NSCG offer Level 2 Practical Engineering course:
Level 2 Engineering Operations – Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations (Mechanical Pathway) | NSCG

Back to Gateways