What is the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?

Approximately 6,000 cadets and adult volunteers participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award through the Army Cadets each year. Of those, around 2,000 proudly achieve Bronze, Silver, or Gold awards.

Discover why the DofE programme is such a rewarding experience, and learn how you can get involved with the Army Cadets today!

Formed in 1956, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, or DofE for short, is an internationally recognised award that aims to improve the personal development and employability of young people. DofE encourages young people to get involved in exciting challenges and work towards personalised goals. The DofE promotes teamwork, self-discipline, empathy and independence and is something young people will remember for the rest of their lives.

Benefits of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

It's open to all young people

The award is achievable by all. Achievements are based on individual improvement, which means that anybody can take part.​

It looks great on your CV

DofE helps young people become more employable by showing commitment, achievement, teamwork, and independence, great qualities to discuss with future employers.

It's an opportunity to try new things

Many young people have never volunteered, done orienteering, or gone camping. DofE encourages people to be outside and have fun with others whilst doing something they may have never done before.​

Participants can practice teamwork

To complete DofE, teamwork is required. Whether it's navigating, setting up a tent or simply looking after one another, DofE encourages people to work together.

How to get Started with DofE

There are three levels of DofE​, Bronze, Silver and Gold​​. ​Choose the one that suits you best.

You can register as soon as you are in the school year in which you will turn 14​.​

The Bronze award consists of four sections – volunteering, physical, skills and expedition. The first three must be undertaken ​over​​ ​ three months, with an additional three months being spent on one section of your choice. The two-day, one-night expedition must be planned, trained, and completed ​to​​ ​ finish the Bronze award.

You can register as soon as you are in the school year in which you will turn 15​.​

The Silver DofE has the same four sections as Bronze, but volunteering must be done for at least six months and a minimum of six months must be spent on either physical or skills. Three months must be spent on the remaining section. A three-day, two-night expedition is also planned, trained for and completed as part of the Silver award.

You need to be 16 to start and must have completed the award by your 25th birthday​.​

You must spend 12 months volunteering. Choose between physical or skills to spend 12 months on, and six months must be taken on the other. The four-day, three-night expedition (plus an acclimatisation day) should take place in remote moorland or mountainous terrain, and there will also be a residential section.

How to Apply for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as a Cadet ​

Your Detachment or Contingent leaders should be able to tell you how to register for the award. You’ll need to pay a registration fee – although some young people may be eligible for a funded or subsidised place.

If you can’t find out how to register at your unit, email rc-cdts-training-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

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What does The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award involve?

Your detachment or contingent leaders ​will be able to help you get started, but here’s some useful information to get you thinking!​​​

Volunteering

Contribute to the community by giving time and skills to help others. This could involve mentoring, environmental conservation, or supporting local charities.​​​​​​​

Downloadable resources can be found below.

Running the detachment canteen

Community Action Project

Improve the Detachment Building

Instructing Cadets

Mentoring Younger Cadets

Practical DofE Leadership

Links with ex-Service Orgs

Looking after the Stores

Sports Leadership

Physical

Focus on improving physical fitness by engaging in sports or other active pursuits such as running or swimming.​​​​​

Downloadable resources can be found below.

Archery

Cycling

Gym

Keeping Active

Running

Swimming

Teamsports

Walking

Watersports

Skills

​​​​Develop a new or existing skill such as ​​playing a musical instrument​​, ​​map reading​​, or ​​first aid​​.​​​

Downloadable resources can be found below.

CIS

Drill

Fieldcraft

First Aid

iDEA Award

Military Knowledge

Music

Navigation

Shooting

Expedition

​​​​Plan, train for, and undertake a journey in a team, navigating and camping in the outdoors over a specified duration.​​​​​

Downloadable resources can be found below.

Introduction

On Water

On Foot

By Bicycles

Residential​​​

​​​​For Gold participants, an additional section requires spending five days and four nights away from home in a shared activity, such as volunteering, training, or a cultural exchange.​​​

Downloadable resources can be found below.

Introduction

Service

Learning

Activity

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

* Achieved over the past 12 months

1465

Bronze Awards

396

Silver Awards

107

Gold Awards

1967

Total

Achieving DofE

Congratulations on nearing the completion of your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award! Here’s what you need to do to finalise your award.

Make sure you’ve collected some evidence and uploaded it to eDofE.​ ​​Evidence could include:​​

  • ​​​Screenshots or digital files (e.g., certificates or time logs).​​
  • ​​​Written descriptions or text-based records.​​
  • ​​​Photos capturing your progress and activities​​.​​ ​​​​​

Your assessor needs to provide a report to confirm your achievements. They can:​​

  • ​​​Submit the report directly via the DofE Assessor Portal.​​
  • ​​​Give you a written report to upload yourself.​​​​

​​Access the​​ Assessor Portal here.

Downloadable resources can be found below.

Assessor Card 1

Assessor Card 2

Writing Assessor Reports

Volunteering Section

Skills Section

Residential Section

Physical Section

Expedition Section

Once your award is approved, you’ll be presented with your certificate and badge – a symbol of your hard work and dedication.

Ready for a new challenge? Now’s the perfect time to register for the next DofE level. Check the eligibility and age limits in the table above and start planning your journey!​​

DofE Inspiration with Army Cadets

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award through the Army Cadets is a life-changing experience that challenges cadets to develop essential skills like leadership, teamwork, and resilience.