The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an international non-competitive program for participants aged between 14–25 years. The program encourages participants to set and achieve personal goals in community service, skills, fitness and adventure. The program inspires students to step out of their comfort zone and discover their potential.

The program is a flexible, interesting and fun-packed way for students to participate in a number of activities over a set length of time. It is entirely voluntary and is structured so that participants can design their own unique program, centered on their interests and passions.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each level has four sections:

1. Physical Recreation: Improving your physical fitness and wellbeing. This could be through a team sport, individual pursuits or simply getting out and working up a sweat.
2. Skill: Unleashing your talents and broadening your abilities. Learning anything from cultural, artistic, musical, academic to technical skills.
3. Service: Connecting with your community by giving service. Any area of interest in the community, such as youth work, animals, the environment or charity work.
4. Adventurous Journey: This is the only section that requires the activity to be undertaken in a team. Discover your adventurous spirit in a challenging environment and bond with your friends.
   

For each section, participants must select an activity that fits within the Section Guidelines and undertake this activity for the minimum amount of time specified. Participants can expect to spend six months completing Bronze and a year or more completing Silver or Gold.

To qualify for a Gold Award, an additional element of a Residential Project of at least five days and four nights is included. The aim of the Residential Project is for participants to undertake an experience with a purpose, with people who are not their usual companions, outside of their usual place of residence.