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IB Design Technology combines creative problem-solving with science and engineering. It is part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP). The IB has introduced a new course, first taught in August 2025, with first exams in May 2027. This guide explains what the new course involves, how it is assessed, what has changed and how to succeed.
Which course are you on?
- If your first IB Design Technology exams are in May 2027 or later, you are studying the new course described in this guide.
- If you are sitting exams in November 2026, you are on the previous course, which has its last assessment in 2026. See our November 2026 exam schedule for your paper dates.
Key Takeaways
- The syllabus is organised into three themes: design in theory, design in practice and design in context (IB, 2024).
- The course is underpinned by design thinking, with a strong focus on understanding the needs of the end user.
- The internal assessment (IA) is a design project where you redesign an existing product. It is worth 40% at Standard Level (SL) and 30% at Higher Level (HL).
- Paper 3 and the optional topics have been removed. All students now sit two papers.
- HL students study extra topics on structural, mechanical and electronic systems, life cycle analysis and production.
What Is IB Design Technology?
The IB describes design technology as "a problem-solving and innovation approach" that places a strong emphasis on the needs and perspectives of the intended end user. It is a flexible, iterative process that can be applied to many challenges, from product development to service design.
The course is underpinned by design thinking. According to the IB, design thinking involves the ability to:
- understand users, challenge your own assumptions, redefine complex problems and create innovative solutions that can be modelled and tested
- use an experimental, inquiry-based approach to problem-solving
- engage with empathy, definition, ideation, prototyping and testing
- appreciate how theoretical and practical limitations affect how far a problem can be solved.
Design Technology is a group 4 science in the Diploma Programme, alongside subjects such as Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science. It is offered at SL and HL.
Course Structure and Teaching Hours
The IB recommends 150 teaching hours at SL and 240 hours at HL. The syllabus content is organised into three themes:
- Theme A: Design in theory
- Theme B: Design in practice
- Theme C: Design in context
| Component | SL hours | HL hours |
|---|---|---|
| Syllabus content | ||
| A: Design in theory | 33 | 71 |
| B: Design in practice | 44 | 77 |
| C: Design in context | 13 | 32 |
| Practical programme | ||
| Design project (internal assessment) | 50 | 50 |
| Collaborative sciences project | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 150 | 240 |
Source: IB Design Technology subject brief, first assessment 2027.
HL students spend twice as long on the syllabus content (180 hours compared with 90). Both levels spend the same time on the design project.
The Syllabus
Each theme is divided into four areas: people, process, product and production. The table shows every topic in the new syllabus. Topics marked (HL only) are studied by HL students only.
| Area | A: Design in theory | B: Design in practice | C: Design in context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. People | A1.1 Ergonomics | B1.1 User-centred design | C1.1 Responsibility of the designer C1.2 Inclusive design C1.3 Beyond usability (HL only) |
| 2. Process | A2.1 User-centred research methods A2.2 Prototyping techniques | B2.1 The IB DP design process B2.2 Modelling and prototyping | C2.1 Design for sustainability C2.2 Design for a circular economy |
| 3. Product | A3.1 Material classification and properties A3.2 Introduction to structural systems (HL only) A3.3 Introduction to mechanical systems (HL only) A3.4 Introduction to electronic systems (HL only) | B3.1 Material selection B3.2 Structural systems application and selection (HL only) B3.3 Mechanical systems application and selection (HL only) B3.4 Electronic systems application and selection (HL only) | C3.1 Product analysis and evaluation C3.2 Life cycle analysis (HL only) |
| 4. Production | A4.1 Manufacturing techniques (HL only) | B4.1 Production systems (HL only) | C4.1 Design for manufacture strategies (HL only) |
Source: IB Design Technology subject brief, first assessment 2027.
What Each Theme Covers
- Design in theory builds the knowledge behind good design, including ergonomics, research methods, prototyping techniques and materials.
- Design in practice applies that knowledge, including user-centred design, the IB DP design process, modelling and material selection.
- Design in context looks at design's wider impact, including the responsibility of the designer, inclusive design, sustainability and the circular economy.
At HL, the product and production areas go much further. HL students study structural, mechanical and electronic systems, manufacturing techniques, production systems, life cycle analysis and design for manufacture.
💡 Learn how each part of the IB grading system affects your final Diploma score.
Practical Work
The IB says practical work "continues to be a central aspect" of the course. Your teacher designs a practical scheme of work for your class. It should cover a wide range of tasks, from closed to open inquiry and from hands-on experiments to simulations and modelling.
The Collaborative Sciences Project
The collaborative sciences project (previously called the "group 4 project") is an interdisciplinary project for all DP science students. You work with students taking other sciences, in your own school or with other IB schools, to address a real-world problem. The IB says the project helps you integrate your knowledge, develop solution-focused strategies and build skills such as teamwork, negotiation and leadership.
Internal Assessment: The Design Project
The internal assessment (IA) is the design project. It is an open-ended task in which you identify, analyse, evaluate and redesign an existing product to meet the needs of an intended user or users.
Key facts about the design project:
- Starting point: redesigning an existing product. The IB describes "redesign" as the start point of the project.
- Model: you must develop a physical fidelity model for testing and evaluation.
- Any field of design: you can choose from product design, robotics, textiles, architecture, food and more. The project is informed by what you learn in the syllabus, but it does not have to be tied to a specific topic.
- Report: an individual report of up to 3,500 words.
- Time: 50 recommended hours.
- Weighting: 40% at SL and 30% at HL. The criteria and marks are the same at both levels.
- Vocabulary: using subject-specific vocabulary accurately is rewarded across all the criteria.
Assessment Criteria
| Criterion | Marks | Approximate page count | Recommended word count |
|---|---|---|---|
| A: Empathize | 9 | 9 | 900 |
| B: Defining the project | 6 | 4 | 1,200 |
| C: Ideation and modelling | 6 | 8 | 900 |
| D: Designing a solution | 6 | 10 | 300 |
| E: Presents a solution | 6 | 4 | 200 |
| Total | 33 | 35 | 3,500 |
Source: IB Design Technology updates. The IB notes that the word counts are recommendations, not targets.
Criterion A (Empathize) carries the most marks. It reflects the course's focus on understanding the end user. Need help planning your design project? See our IB internal assessment support.
External Assessment Overview
All students sit two exam papers.
| Component | Format | SL time | HL time | SL weighting | HL weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Multiple-choice questions on the syllabus | 1h | 1h 30m | 20% | 25% |
| Paper 2 | Short-answer and extended-response questions | 1h 30m | 2h 30m | 40% | 45% |
| Internal assessment | Design project | 50 hours | 50 hours | 40% | 30% |
Source: IB Design Technology subject brief, first assessment 2027.
In total, SL students sit 2 hours 30 minutes of exams (60% of the grade). HL students sit 4 hours (70%). The IB says Paper 2 combines skills, concepts and understandings, placed in a design technology context.
Assessment Objectives
| Objective | What you need to show |
|---|---|
| AO1 | Knowledge of facts, concepts, principles and terminology design methodology, techniques and technology and ways of communicating ideas and technological information |
| AO2 | Understanding and application of the same areas |
| AO3 | Constructing, analysing and evaluating design briefs, problems, specifications and plans methods, techniques, models and products and data, information and technological explanations |
| AO4 | The research, development, experimentation, modelling and personal skills needed for innovative, insightful, ethical and effective design |
What Has Changed From the Previous Course?
- A new syllabus structure. The previous core topics and HL extension have been replaced by three themes: design in theory, design in practice and design in context.
- Paper 3 has been removed, along with the optional topics in Paper 2.
- The IA now starts with a redesign. You redesign an existing product and must build a physical fidelity model.
- Clearer IA marking language. The IB says the criteria are more quantifiable, with stated requirements such as image counts per page.
- IA projects can come from any field of design, from robotics to textiles to food.
- Group 4 project renamed. It is now the collaborative sciences project.
Tips for Success in IB Design Technology
We asked our IB tutors for their advice on succeeding in the new course:
- Put the user first. Empathy with the end user runs through the whole course, and it carries the most marks in the IA.
- Choose a product you can realistically redesign. Pick something you can study, test and model physically within 50 hours.
- Build and test early. Your physical fidelity model needs testing time, so do not leave modelling until the end.
- Use subject-specific vocabulary. It is rewarded across every IA criterion and helps your exam answers too.
- Know the whole syllabus for Paper 1. Multiple-choice questions can come from any topic, so do not skip areas.
- Practise extended responses for Paper 2. It carries the highest exam weighting at both levels.
- HL students: master the systems topics. Structural, mechanical and electronic systems are HL-only, so give them extra time.
- Link design to sustainability. Design for sustainability and the circular economy are core topics for everyone.
💡 Check out these five key habits of high-achieving IB students, and find out why past papers are the ultimate tool for exam preparation. Old-course papers can help with practice, but check each question against the new syllabus.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Designing a brand-new product for the IA. The new design project starts with redesigning an existing product.
- Skipping the physical model. A physical fidelity model is required for testing and evaluation.
- Spending too many words on the wrong criteria. Use the IB's recommended word counts as a guide, for example around 1,200 words for defining the project.
- Studying from old-course notes without checking. The previous core topics, options and Paper 3 no longer apply.
- Ignoring the wider impact of design. Theme C asks you to think about responsibility, inclusion and sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the new IB Design Technology course first examined?
The new course was first taught in August 2025, and its first exams are in May 2027. Students sitting exams in November 2026 are on the previous course.
Is there still a Paper 3 in IB Design Technology?
No. Paper 3 has been removed. All students sit Paper 1 (multiple choice) and Paper 2 (short-answer and extended-response questions).
What do I have to do for the IA?
You identify, analyse, evaluate and redesign an existing product to meet the needs of an intended user. You build a physical fidelity model and write a report of up to 3,500 words.
What is the difference between SL and HL?
HL students study extra topics, including structural, mechanical and electronic systems, life cycle analysis and production. HL exams are longer (4 hours compared with 2 hours 30 minutes). The IA is the same task, worth 40% at SL and 30% at HL.
Can Design Technology be my group 4 science?
Yes. Design Technology is a group 4 science in the Diploma Programme.
Do I need to be good at drawing or making things?
It helps, but the course develops these skills. The focus is on design thinking: understanding users, generating ideas, modelling and testing.
Get Support With IB Design Technology
The new course rewards students who understand users, think creatively and test their ideas carefully. Our experienced IB Design Technology tutors can help you master the syllabus, plan a strong design project and prepare for your exams, online wherever you are.
