Time Frame
It will usually take a participant at least 6 months to complete a Bronze programme of the DofE.
It will take a participant at least 6 months to complete a Silver programme of the DofE if they have already achieved a Bronze award. It will take a participant at least 12 months to complete a Silver programme without a Bronze award.
It will take a participant at least 12 months to complete a Gold programme of the DofE if they have already achieved a Silver award. It will take a participant at least 18 months to complete a Gold programme without a Silver award, even if they have already achieved a Bronze award.
Participants are required to show regular activity and commitment to the award for the duration of their DofE programme, which is usually a minimum of at least one hour per week.
All activities for any DofE programme MUST be completed by the participant's 25th birthday.
It will usually take a participant at least 6 months to complete a Bronze programme of the DofE.
It will take a participant at least 6 months to complete a Silver programme of the DofE if they have already achieved a Bronze award. It will take a participant at least 12 months to complete a Silver programme without a Bronze award.
It will take a participant at least 12 months to complete a Gold programme of the DofE if they have already achieved a Silver award. It will take a participant at least 18 months to complete a Gold programme without a Silver award, even if they have already achieved a Bronze award.
Participants are required to show regular activity and commitment to the award for the duration of their DofE programme, which is usually a minimum of at least one hour per week.
All activities for any DofE programme MUST be completed by the participant's 25th birthday.
Bronze
A Bronze DofE programme has 4 sections, Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition. You need be at least 14 years old to start a Bronze programme and you must do a minimum of 3 months activity for each of the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections, and plan, train for and do a 2 day (1 night) Expedition.
You also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections. It’s your choice which one and, though you can change your mind later, you should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long you’re going to do it for will help you to set your aims for the sections.
This table shows what you need to do:
A Bronze DofE programme has 4 sections, Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition. You need be at least 14 years old to start a Bronze programme and you must do a minimum of 3 months activity for each of the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections, and plan, train for and do a 2 day (1 night) Expedition.
You also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections. It’s your choice which one and, though you can change your mind later, you should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long you’re going to do it for will help you to set your aims for the sections.
This table shows what you need to do:
Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme
The concept of the DofE is simple – anyone aged between 14 and 24 can do a programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
With assistance from adult Leaders, participants select and set objectives in each of the following areas:
Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community.
Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.
Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
Expedition: planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad.
At Gold level, participants must do an additional fifth Residential section, which involves staying and working away from home doing a shared activity.
Each section must be done for a minimum period of time. It must be monitored and then assessed by someone with knowledge of that particular activity to achieve an Award. Each progressive level demands more time and commitment from participants.
The concept of the DofE is simple – anyone aged between 14 and 24 can do a programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
With assistance from adult Leaders, participants select and set objectives in each of the following areas:
Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community.
Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.
Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
Expedition: planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad.
At Gold level, participants must do an additional fifth Residential section, which involves staying and working away from home doing a shared activity.
Each section must be done for a minimum period of time. It must be monitored and then assessed by someone with knowledge of that particular activity to achieve an Award. Each progressive level demands more time and commitment from participants.
What is the Award?
The Award is a challenging programme of activities that will help you to learn new skills, help others; experience adventure and it will give you a great sense of achievement. What's more many organisations such as employers and universities take a good view of the Award and what it says about the person who has achieved it.
Silver
The next step up from Bronze... you need to be at least 15 to start doing your Silver DofE programme.
A Silver DofE programme has 4 sections, Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition. You need to do at least 6 months Volunteering and a minimum of 6 months on either Physical or Skills and 3 months on the other. It’s up to you which one you do for longer.
The Expedition section involves planning, training for and doing a 3 day (2 night) expedition.
If you start the Silver without doing Bronze first you’ll have to do an extra6 months volunteeringor doing whichever of the Physical or Skillssections you have spent more time on. Though you can change your mind later, you should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long you’re going to do it for will help you to set your aims for the sections.
This table shows what you need to do:
The next step up from Bronze... you need to be at least 15 to start doing your Silver DofE programme.
A Silver DofE programme has 4 sections, Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition. You need to do at least 6 months Volunteering and a minimum of 6 months on either Physical or Skills and 3 months on the other. It’s up to you which one you do for longer.
The Expedition section involves planning, training for and doing a 3 day (2 night) expedition.
If you start the Silver without doing Bronze first you’ll have to do an extra6 months volunteeringor doing whichever of the Physical or Skillssections you have spent more time on. Though you can change your mind later, you should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long you’re going to do it for will help you to set your aims for the sections.
This table shows what you need to do:
Once you hit 16 you can do your Gold DofE programme.
You’ll spend 12 months on your Volunteering section. For Physical and Skills you must spend 12 months on one and six months on the other - you decide which way round you do it.
The big difference at Gold, is you'll also do a Residential section - staying away from home for five days and four nights doing a shared activity with people you don't know. It's great fun and a real chance to dosomething different!
If you’ve jumped straight into your Gold DofE programme you’ll need to do a further six months either volunteering or whichever one of your physical or skills activities you spent the most time on.
This table gives you a summary of what you have to do:
You’ll spend 12 months on your Volunteering section. For Physical and Skills you must spend 12 months on one and six months on the other - you decide which way round you do it.
The big difference at Gold, is you'll also do a Residential section - staying away from home for five days and four nights doing a shared activity with people you don't know. It's great fun and a real chance to dosomething different!
If you’ve jumped straight into your Gold DofE programme you’ll need to do a further six months either volunteering or whichever one of your physical or skills activities you spent the most time on.
This table gives you a summary of what you have to do:
Gold
There are three levels of programme you can do which, when you've successfully completed lead to a Bronze, Silver or GoldDuke of Edinburgh’s Award.
The main differences between them are the minimum length of time it takes to complete them, how challenging it is and the minimum age you can start.
Depending on your age, you are free to start at any level but most people prefer to try for Bronze and work upwards. There are age restrictions for each one so it makes sense to build yourself up rather than dive in at the deep end.
Don’t forget, you have until your 25th birthday to complete whichever level you’re working on and achieve an Award.
The table below shows the different overall age restrictions and requirements for each level.
The main differences between them are the minimum length of time it takes to complete them, how challenging it is and the minimum age you can start.
Depending on your age, you are free to start at any level but most people prefer to try for Bronze and work upwards. There are age restrictions for each one so it makes sense to build yourself up rather than dive in at the deep end.
Don’t forget, you have until your 25th birthday to complete whichever level you’re working on and achieve an Award.
The table below shows the different overall age restrictions and requirements for each level.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a voluntary non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities. It is designed to support the personal and social development. It offers an individual challenge and encourages young people to undertake exciting constructive, challenging and enjoyable activities in their free time.
Bronze Silver Gold Millennium Volunteer
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