The Duke of Edinburgh Award has long been touted as a gold standard for CVs and university applications, with nearly 60 years of history since its inception by Prince Philip. Yet, behind the hype, lies a complex truth: universities and employers weigh it differently.
Each year, around 112,000 young people in the UK embark on one of three levels – Bronze, Silver, or Gold – which require participants to engage with a diverse range of activities across volunteering, skill development, physical recreation, expedition, and for Gold participants, a residential project. These experiences aim to foster valuable attributes such as leadership, perseverance, teamwork, and communication skills.
For 19-year-old Ollie Wood, studying zoology at Swansea University, his Gold award was instrumental in securing his place – even when his A-level results fell just short of the required threshold. He credits DofE activities, including breeding ducks and genetics studies, with demonstrating a passion for his subject that impressed admissions.
But not all experiences mirror Ollie's story. Perran Helyes, 18, from Cornwall, completed the award during GCSEs, viewing it as a CV booster. While he enjoyed the experience, he remains unconvinced of its direct impact on his university application – stating strong academic results were key.
University admissions departments offer differing perspectives. Angela Milln, Director of Student Recruitment at the University of Bristol, acknowledges the DofE Award as an asset. She notes that while academic potential and commitment are paramount, the award can evidence skills like effective communication for aspiring doctors or problem-solving for engineers.
In contrast, a spokesperson for the University of Cambridge stresses deep engagement with a subject is crucial. While they recognise the award's ability to demonstrate self-discipline, motivation, and time management, their focus remains on academic focus and evidence of interest beyond the curriculum.