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About the DofE
We help young people build life-long belief in themselves, supporting them to take on their own challenges, follow their passions, and discover talents they never knew they had. Because when you prove to yourself that you’re ready for anything, nothing can hold you back.
Our strategy: Youth Without Limits
We want to give more than one million young people the chance to participate in our life-changing programmes, over the next five years.
We will focus particularly on those who experience marginalisation, ensuring that the DofE is open to all young people and that our participants reflect the most diverse generation of young people ever.
How we operate
We license and support a range of organisations including: schools, colleges, youth groups, young offender institutions, fostering agencies and hospitals to run DofE programmes for their young people.
Our Executive Leadership Team works together to grow provision of the DofE so that more young people can have this life-changing opportunity.
Our Trustees set the charity’s strategic direction, monitor the delivery of its objectives and uphold its values and governance.
There are lots of exciting activities and events going on at the DofE so, whether you’re writing an article about apprenticeships or volunteering, life skills or university admissions, we can help.
For DofE news, young people’s stories and press releases take a look at The Latest.
For media enquiries please email [email protected] or call our dedicated media line on 01753 727420.
For urgent out of hours media enquiries, please call our dedicated media line.
Please note the media line is strictly for media enquiries only.
The DofE is proud to be part of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation which supports operators in more than 130 countries and territories to deliver DofE and increase opportunities for young people.
History
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh first considered the idea of a national programme to support young people’s development in the autumn of 1954 at the request of his inspiring former headmaster, Kurt Hahn.
In the post-war era, His Royal Highness wanted to bridge the gap between leaving formal education at 15 and entering into National Service at 18, so that young men made the best use of their free time, found interests and acquired self-confidence and a sense of purpose that would support them into their future and help them to become well-rounded citizens.
Following discussions with the Minister of Education in 1955, The Duke of Edinburgh consulted a number of national voluntary youth organisations with a ‘boy’ membership with a view to starting a pilot.
Led by Sir John Hunt (later Lord Hunt), who provided the necessary administration and co-ordination amongst the partner organisations as the first Director, a pilot for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was launched in February 1956. The programme had four sections; Rescue and Public Service, Expeditions, Pursuits and Projects, and fitness, which would holistically support, guide and upskill young men as The Duke envisaged.
Initially the pilot just involved national voluntary youth organisations and many attended a planning conference at Ashridge College in Hertfordshire in March, 1956. However, the pilot was quickly extended to include Local Education Authorities, the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, and a handful of independent and grammar schools across the UK. After the first year, 7,000 boys had started a DofE programme and 1,000 Awards had been achieved.
In fact, the pilot proved such a success that, by the second year, other small scale pilots overseas and a programme for girls had also been set up. Furthermore, the number of organisations and young people taking part had more than doubled.
The DofE continued to evolve over subsequent decades and in 1980 the age limit was extended so that any young person aged 14 to 24 could take part. At this time, DofE programmes took on their current four section format of: Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition, with an additional Residential section at Gold level. Popularity has continued to grow, with over 130 countries and territories now offering DofE programmes as part of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation.
In 2020, young people stepped up and played an integral role in supporting communities across the UK to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. A remarkable 330,000 young people continued with their DofE activities – a huge force for good, dedicating 1.8 million hours of volunteering, equating to an investment of almost £8.5 million, to local communities at a time when they needed it most. DofE participants sewed PPE at their kitchen tables, delivered food parcels to those who needed them and put on virtual concerts for care homes.
As the UK recovers, the benefits that the DofE offers are more important than ever. Our new strategy puts the DofE at the heart of the national effort to back young people through the challenging years ahead.
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There are four main sections of a DofE programme; Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition. At Gold participants will also complete a Residential section.
Below, find the requirements for each section, including information on what activities count and how long to do them.
What activities count
Volunteering is simple. It’s about choosing to give time to help people, the community or society, the environment or animals.
Your volunteering must not be done for a business but can be undertaken for a charity or not-for-profit organisation. Where your volunteering is in support of surplus generating work, for example a charity shop, then some Local Authorities may require a work permit. The charity you are volunteering with should be aware of this and support you as required.
For your volunteering activity you need to choose to give time to do something useful without getting paid (apart from expenses).
You can also volunteer in a team, which might be an easier way to find an activity if you can identify a local need you can help with.
If you want information on how long to do the section please visit timescales.
Please click here for some frequently asked questions about the Volunteering section.
Please click here to download our flyer about volunteering with AAPs.
What activities count
For your physical activity you need to choose any sport, dance or fitness activity – in short, anything that requires a sustained level of energy and physical activity. For example, playing a sport regularly and showing personal improvement would count. However, learning to be a coach in the same sport would be a Skills section activity, whilst being a volunteer coach counts for the Volunteering section.
If you want information on how long to do the section please visit timescales.
Please click here for some frequently asked questions about the Physical section.
What activities count
For your skills activity you need to choose an activity that will allow you to prove you have broadened your understanding and increased your expertise in your chosen skill. It should not be a physical activity, for example horse riding, as this counts towards your Physical section, however, you could choose to learn about caring for horses.
If you want information on how long to do the section please visit timescales.
Please click here for some frequently asked questions about the Skills section.
What activities count
For your Expedition section, you will need to plan, train for and complete an unaccompanied, self-reliant expedition with an agreed aim. You must do the correct training for your level and mode of travel, at least one practice expedition, a qualifying expedition (the one that is assessed) and a final presentation in order to complete the section.
Your expedition must be completed by your own physical efforts (but you have loads of choices, not just on foot!) with minimal external intervention and without motorised assistance. Your route should also be a continuous journey.
If you want information on how long to do the section please visit timescales.
Modes of travel
To help you choose and then find the right kit for your expeditions, the DofE Expedition Kit Guide offers key information, tips from the experts and money saving ideas.
Once you know what kit you need, the DofE Expedition Kit List is the essential checklist when preparing the kit you need. All DofE recommended kit is tried and tested, so you know it’s fit for expedition.
What activities counts
For your Residential section you need to undertake a shared activity or specific course with people you don’t know, in a residential setting away from home and in an unfamiliar environment. Evenings are often as much a part of the experience as daytime activities.
This section offers a high degree of flexibility but it must be done with an organised group, registered charity or Approved Activity Provider. You must join it individually and not with an existing group of friends or as part of a school or youth group trip. You will be staying away – anything from an activity centre or camp to a boat or barge – but you cannot stay with friends or relatives.
There are no age restrictions on who you can do your residential activity with, for example, a conservation project has volunteers of all ages on it – you may even be the only person under 25 or doing your DofE.
Your activity can be anything that provides you with an opportunity for broadening your interests and experiences. It is ideal for trying something new or it can be related to existing interests or activities followed in other sections of your DofE programme.
Use our handy Residential section checklist to make sure your chosen activity will count towards your DofE, and make sure it’s approved by your Leader and Licensed Organisation.
How long to do the section
The residential activity should normally take place over at least five consecutive days with a minimum of four nights spent away. In exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of your Licensed Organisation (you must get permission in advance), this commitment can be spread over two weekends. However, it must involve at least four nights away within a 12 month period, during which you do the same activity. In eDofE you will be asked to give three dates – the section start date (the date you start your planning and preparation) as well as the start and end dates of the actual residential activity.
Please click here for some frequently asked questions about the Residential section.
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Timescales
There are three levels of programme you can do which, when you’ve successfully completed them, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke 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.
Activities for each DofE section take a minimum of one hour a week over a set period of time, so they can be fitted in around academic study, hobbies and social lives. Development and regular progress must be shown and all activities must be completed by the participant’s 25th birthday.
Depending on your age, you are free to start at any level but most people prefer to start at Bronze and work upwards.
It will usually take you at least 6 months to complete your Bronze programme.
– Volunteering section: 3 months
– Physical section: 3 months
– Skills section: 3 months
– Expedition section: 2 days/1 night
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 choose your activity and set your goals for each section.
It will take you at least 6 months for Silver if you’ve already achieved your Bronze, or 12 months if you’ve jumped straight into Silver.
– Volunteering section: 6 months
– Physical and Skills sections: One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months
– Expedition section: 3 days/2 nights
If you didn’t do Bronze, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.
For Gold, you’ll need to do your programme for at least 12 months if you’ve achieved your Silver Award, or 18 months if you’ve started at Gold level without doing your Silver – even if you’ve done Bronze. 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.
– Volunteering section: 12 months
– Physical and Skills sections: One section for 12 months and the other section for 6 months
– Expedition section: 4 days/3 nights
– Residential section: Undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights.
If you didn’t do Silver, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.
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eDofE
eDofE is our digital system where participants record your DofE programme and activities online, and get each section approved by your DofE Leader. Once you enrol, your DofE Leader will set up an account for you in eDofE and you’ll then be sent an email with your signing in details. Then you’re ready to activate your account and start choosing your activities and setting objectives.
On eDofE you can easily select what you want to do for each section, and get your DofE Leader to approve your choices and Assessor. You can check your progress throughout your programme and submit evidence in a variety of formats. You can message your DofE Leader and other participants in your group from within eDofE. You can also download your DofE Voucher from eDofE, giving you savings of at least 10% at our recommended retailers.
There is so much more you can do, but please use our short guide to help you complete the minimum required steps when activating your account.
Access all of our help documents and user guides for eDofE in our dedicated eDofE knowledge base.
When you’ve finished a section, you need an Assessor’s Report. The Assessor can do this online or by using an Assessor’s Report card you can photograph and upload into eDofE.
When you’ve completed all the sections, your Licensed Organisation will approve your DofE Award through eDofE.
Once you have an account you can sign into eDofE by clicking the ‘eDofE login’ button in the top right of any page of the website, or visit edofe.org
If we haven’t solved your query you can contact the eDofE technical support line Monday through Friday (09.00 – 17.00)
Not sure how you to get your eDofE username or password? Having issues signing in or forgotten your username? Click to read some of the most frequently asked questions for username and password help.
We’re creating a series of comprehensive eDofE training videos to help guide participants through the system. You can find these videos on our YouTube channel.
The OS eDofE Mapping system is accessible via eDofE, allowing you to create personalised expedition maps. You can access the mapping application within the Expedition section of eDofE. Once you login, select ‘Mapping’ from the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen.
You can find the eDofE Mapping user guide and FAQs here.
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Since 1956 over 6.7 million young people have started their DofE in the UK and over 3.1 million Awards have been achieved.
«The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is basically a do-it-yourself kit in the art of living.»
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG, KT
HRH Prince Philip founded the DofE in 1956 to support young people in the post-war era. With his inspiring former headmaster, Kurt Hahn, HRH developed a national programme to introduce young men to new interests and help them gain self-confidence and a sense of purpose. Four programme sections: Rescue and Public Service, Expeditions, Pursuits and Projects, and Fitness, were designed to support, guide and upskill. The pilot with national voluntary youth organisations was such a success that by the second year a programme for young women was set up.
The DofE evolved over decades. In 1980 the age range was extended so that any young person aged 14 to 24 could take part and DofE programmes took on their current four section format: Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition, with an additional Residential section at Gold.
Today, over 490,000 young people are doing their DofE across the UK and over 295,000 start a programme each year, 25% of whom experience social and economic marginalisation and barriers to participation. The DofE is part of the fabric of our society, in schools, colleges, unis, young offender institutions, youth groups and more. As we rebuild after the Covid-19 pandemic the need for DofE has never been greater. Through DofE, young people from all backgrounds and circumstances can build the self-belief, resilience and skills they need to navigate some of the toughest challenges any generation has had to face and meet an uncertain future with confidence.
Over 490,000 young people
are taking part in the DofE through over 3,900 licensed partner organisations.