Bronze is open to anyone aged 14 and above. Read the providers reviews and ensure they have appropriate accommodation and qualifications for the activities. What skills and experience from the DofE would you recommend mentioning? In fact, simply as an addition to your CV and University Application, its not really necessary for you to do a course and gain the qualification (though if it is something that is available to you it shouldnt be turned down!). Thats key stage 4. Some apprenticeships will require you to have a certain number of GCSEs at a minimum grade or higher, and some higher-level apprenticeships will require you to have further qualification (such as A Levels) in subjects which relate to the apprenticeship. For example, a course in first aid would be appropriate. Many employers will recognise the achievement of a DofE and the hard word that it represents. The Duke of Edinburgh Award has a number of benefits. In ninety percent of schools, it is not like you are going to be setting off to sub-Saharan Africa or to the Himalayas. You must complete all of the sections before you turn 25. It does not serve any purpose on your UCAS form beyond the personal statement, where you are entitled to push it hard. This is a good compromise for students who want to earn more UCAS Points, and increase their knowledge of more subjects, but who also perhaps feel that 4 full A-Levels is too much. You can do an apprenticeship from the age of 16, and an Advanced Level Apprenticeship is generally considered to be equivalent to 2 A Levels. Remember, they are academic institutions and their primary function is to educate academically. There is no minimum distance to cover, however there must be 8 hours of planned activity each day to satisfy the expedition requirements. If you would like to find out more about the Extended Project Qualification, you can find more information here. The aim is to develop skills in: teamwork, problem solving, discussion, research, oral presentation and self-management. Youll get 20 UCAS points if you achieve an A grade. AS-Levels are another great way to earn UCAS Points. Lots of parents recognise a connection between the Duke of Edinburgh Award UCAS Application for university. So I'm in Year 11 (going into Y12 in September) and I'm thinking of doing the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. But well save that question for a little while later. Some Universities may also have their own specific systems of UCAS Points, where they only accept a certain number for extra activities, or they dont count them in their offer totals at all. It does not serve any purpose on your UCAS form beyond the personal statement, where you are entitled to push it hard. It usually takes around 1 year to complete, but can be done on a part-time basis over a few years to suit you. These are known as bronze, silver, and gold level. Many students consider taking more than the standard three AS/A-Levels, or they will take an A Level course on top of their core T-Level. Most obviously, you can boost your number of UCAS points by taking on an extra A-level or AS-level. What matters much more to universities is your academic commitment. Apprenticeships are a great way to get qualified while also earning a wage. Writing about the course. For example, you might be leaning towards doing all humanities subjects at A-level, because thats whats going to give you the best chances of securing a place on a particular degree course; but you still want to be able to show potential employers that your knowledge of maths is higher than GCSE, as this will help you stand out a bit more. You will not receive UCAS points for completing the Duke of Edinburgh Award. It is also worth taking into account the fact that apprenticeships can be very competitive, because there are so many benefits to them, but this does not mean that you should not try to get them after all, youll never get to do them if you dont apply! The expedition is the part that participants are usually most apprehensive about and a popular question is How far do you walk on the Bronze DofE ? There must be a minimum of 6 hours travelling each day, which equates to on average 16km or 10 Miles each day on foot. It enables you to take a more vocational approach to studying the subjects that interest you, and is recognised by many Universities as a valuable qualification. Generally, it would be recommended to do them in the first year if possible, to reduce your stress when it comes to your A-Level exam season. But of course, it changes with different qualifications - so if you get a triple distinction (DDD) for a BTEC diploma, you'll also get 144 points. captcha. Alternatively, you can create a product (such as an app or an artistic object), or a production (such as a charity event or fashion show) and write a 1,000 word essay to accompany it. How Often Does Edinburgh Tram Go To Airport? There are some circumstances where it is acceptable to know one or two other people, but the majority of the residential group should be unknown. When Did Stirling Stop Being The Capital Of Scotland? . I was able to demonstrate my strong sense of teamwork under challenging circumstances while trekking Snowdonia this Summer with my Duke of Edinburgh expedition group. . You also have the option of taking the Certificate in Advanced English, which is a less advanced qualification that offers 70 points to those who achieve an A grade. The DofE has enormous variety and can be tailored to each persons interests. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award. Report. Why should you do the Duke of Edinburgh award? For Bronze, the expedition has to be two days and one night, with six hours of activity on each day. When researching your Duke of Edinburgh Award, you should think carefully about your interests and decide what you want to achieve from the trip. 60. Not at all, by all means do it if you have the time, but your exam results are far more important. A Theory of Knowledge, which can earn you up to 12 Points. Cumulus Outdoors offer a number of DofE gold residential programmes in Dorset. These are designed to take the stress out of planning, training and equipping teams. But an extra A-level should certainly boost your application particularly if its in one of the facilitating subjects and youll get up to 140 extra UCAS points. Typically, this begins when you turn 16 and start studying for higher-level qualifications. It does not serve any purpose on your UCAS form beyond the personal statement, where you are entitled to push it hard. For example, if you did photography as your skill and are now looking to enrol on a photography degree, or if your volunteering involved . With the UCAS application process now open for 2020 entry to universities and colleges, Kira Jarvis, one of our Gold Award holders, shares her personal experience and advice on using your DofE experience to enhance your submission. This qualification is aimed to bridge the gap between GCSE and AS-Level, but does not mean that you have to take A-Level maths after you have done it. Either way, an EPQ is a great way to develop your academic skills in the subject that you want to continue studying at University, and it will give you something extra to add to your personal statement! Perhaps your childs school is heavily endorsing participation in the DofE which might have you wondering Is DofE important for university applications? . Pre-U Qualifications can be taken in 24 different subjects, and you can do a combination of Pre-U Qualifications and A-Levels for your 3 subjects of choice. Do an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). UCL emailed about my grade 4 in GCSE maths, please help. Should you put Duke of Edinburgh Award on CV? . However, completion of DofE, especially Silver and Gold, are excellent talking points for your Personal Statement as they display proficiency in a wide variety of soft skills. Unfortunately, (similarly to Music Exams) this is not a quick way of earning UCAS Points, as a Grade 6 Exam requires a lot of skill and practice. There are a number of different course types that are offered as an Access to HE Diploma, including programmes in Nursing, Business and the Social Sciences. Obviously, the amount of UCAS Points you can gain varies based on whether you achieve a Pass, Merit or Distinction in your exam so it is really worth practicing hard in your preparation. An Extended Essay, which can earn you up to 12 Points. Most of all, completing the various DofE levels is fun and allows you to spend time with friends! In this case, the most recent qualification (and therefore the most relevant) is the one that gains you UCAS Points. A diploma requires you to have over 370 hours of training, a Certificate requires you to train for between 130 370 hours, and Awards require you to have up to 130 hours of training. The expedition should take place in wild country, away from civilisation for a minimum of 4 days and 3 nights with 8 hours of planned activity. If you are starting at Gold level, without completing your Silver it will take at least 18 months. This course allows you to choose the six modules that you study, and is a great way of making your skills more desirable to employers which is incredibly useful when getting a job can be so competitive! Theyre also a brilliant way to turn your hobbies into extra UCAS points without eating too much into the time you need to do well in your A-levels. The International Baccalaureate is available to students aged 16-19 across the world. Dorset is one of the best places in the UK to participate in outdoor adventure activities. But lets just say that the Duke of Edinburgh Award or DofE, as it is known perhaps doesnt help in the way that you think it does. No. It is offered by OCR, and combines aspects of GCSE maths with AS and A-Level Maths. 806 8067 22 Registered Office: Imperial House, 2nd Floor, 40-42 Queens Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3XB, Taking a break or withdrawing from your course, http://www.dofe.org/en/content/cms/about-us/our-impact/, Official UCL 2023 Undergraduate Applicants Thread. What the DofE does show to universities, however, is that you are committed: committed to learning new skills, committed to developing yourself beyond the classroom. 5 (39 reviews) Siddharth. The other two need only be half that length of time. Dance Examinations are a great way to earn extra UCAS Points. Cambridge ESOL Programmes are aimed at students who do not speak English as their first language, so if you are a native English speaker, unfortunately this is not a way that you can earn extra UCAS Points. Does Gold DofE get UCAS points? To count towards your Gold DofE award the residential must be away from home and last for a minimum of 4 nights. Participating in an activity that increases knowledge in a certain area, not to be confused with something physical. Your email address will not be published. ), which details how you accomplished your aims. Your email address will not be published. Improve your Mathematics with a Free-standing Mathematics Qualification. They dont care about it per se. It consists of a number of parts, which are: If youd like to find out more about the Skills Challenge Certificate, take a look at this page about the Welsh Baccalaureate, which explains how the qualification works. You must be in an unfamiliar environment and lead by an organised group, registered charity or Approved Activity Provider. Thats not to say that your application will suffer if you only have three A-levels offers are almost always given based on three A-levels anyway (top universities might give an offer that includes four A-levels, but only if the candidate in question happens to be studying four). In terms of skills for the workplace, there are numerous useful courses to choose from, such as the AAT Certificate in Accounting or the Certificate of Personal Effectiveness, the latter of which gives you 70 UCAS points and aims to develop skills to improve your employability, such as problem solving and working with others. Would they be interested in the fact that you volunteered during senior school? nah you can. The DofE also helped me when applying for summer placements; I was successful getting placements at a local wildlife trust, two veterinary clinics and an internship in South Africa, all of which would not have been possible without the DofE giving me the confidence to give things a go. DOFE gives you ucas points. BH19 2PX, Outdoor Adventure School Residential Trips in Dorset. If youre not taking Mathematics as an A-level subject, but want a qualification in it just to prove that youre proficient, you could take a Free-standing Mathematics Qualification. The opinions expressed within articles on this site reflect the opinions of individual student contributors, not Think Student as a whole. The stakes are high because an answer other than of course! could shatter some of the most central beliefs held by young people across the UK. For example, the NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Photography is worth 60 points, or 120 if you do the full diploma. It comprises of four sections for Bronze and Silver and 5 sections for Gold. Like going away from home, on your own, and interacting with a group of your peers. If you are interested in doing a short volunteering course, the details of ASDANs programme are found on the ASDAN Website. The specification can be found here. This will vary depending on when and where you are completing your expedition. Although the International Baccalaureate as a whole will not earn you any UCAS Points, each component of it will. These courses are designed to be excellent preparation for university, and are now widely recognised by admissions tutors, including by the Ivy League universities in the USA. I have become more of a team player and will make sure everyones voice is heard as Course Representative. In your personal statement, saying that you have completed your DofE demonstrates commitment and motivation to succeed, which universities will look at, especially as at times it can be challenging and completing your DofE demonstrates you can cope and thrive. Swanage The DofE promotes teamwork, self-discipline, empathy and independence and is something young people remember for the rest of their lives. school clubs that look good to universities, looks good on your university application. It is possible to progress straight to gold DofE. If you are still in education, you may be able to complete the award through your school, college or youth group, as long as they are a licensed DofE provider. Gold residential costs vary between provider. Copyright The Student Room 2023 all rights reserved. The flexibility that the number of subjects you take gives you is one of the real benefits of taking Highers, especially if you arent sure what exactly you would like to do in the future. There are lots of DofE residential providers across the UK offering a variety of activities. Its ideal if youre not keen on doing the whole A-level or AS-level in Maths, but want something more on your university application and CV to demonstrate your mathematical abilities. This is usually the most challenging element for participants who must trek with their tent, water and cooking supplies carried on their backs. At the end of the expedition, you will be required to give a presentation (written, verbal, exhibition etc. The DofE has most definitely built my self-esteem to be able to apply for things I would otherwise not have done. Arty types might like Trinity College Londons Gold Arts Award, which gives you 35 extra points in recognition of your involvement with a range of arts projects and leadership (recorded in a portfolio in a medium of your choosing, such as a diary, video or blog). Unfortunately, some illusions may be shattered along the way. You can also use the DofE if you get invited for an interview. They will also usually only be counted towards specific courses, e.g. ASDAN offer community-based courses that can get you plenty of extra UCAS points, such as the CoPE (16 UCAS points) and Wider Key Skills (3 different qualifications available, 8 points each). Any course that you have the opportunity to do which provides recognition of the fact that you have employability skills should absolutely be taken advantage of. Work experience where possible, make each one relevant to the role youre applying for, listing your achievements and responsibilities. They will be able to provide you with a detailed kit list containing all of the equipment and clothing you will need. A Cambridge Pre-U Qualification is an alternative to A-Levels which is equivalent in value. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is split into four parts. There are many reasons to do DofE, in addition to the adventure of the expedition, the confidence building, learning new skills and volunteering. There are plenty of programmes that can count towards your Gold DofE residential. It has already helped me in applying for work experience and taking part in reception duties, talking to clients and assisting in consultations at veterinary surgeries. You may also want to have a look at some Universities entry requirements, which often list preferred A-Levels. If you would like to add your UCAS Points up online, you can use the UCAS Tariff Points Calculator. If you have done your DofE, I would definitely mention it. Enjoy a fun-filled activity programme including coasteering, kayaking, climbing, abseiling and more. If yes, then the DofE may not be able to elevate their UCAS application much further. Though this does not mean that it is limited to this group. It is the volunteering itself which is the useful, transferrable skill especially if you are able to volunteer somewhere which relates to your dream career (for example at a Veterinary Practice if you wanted to be a Vet). 6 years ago. There are a number of different qualifications and courses which will help international students develop their English skills, however the main 2 qualifications which allow you to earn UCAS points are: Not only does this kind of qualification give you UCAS Points, but it also will benefit you greatly in the worlds of work and higher education if you are not a native English speaker. 1. Would they benefit from the focus and structure that a DofE programme provides? Whats more, drama requires good teamwork, so thats another useful transferrable skill youll pick up through this qualification. I also have more confidence to help me succeed. Mapping out and preparing for one continuous journey over several days, which could be on foot, bicycle, canoe or another method that requires physical effort (no cars or electric scooters!) If you wish to report an article for misleading or false information, please click here. Sure, it matters that you did something outside of the mainstream school system. A full degree would usually require 360 points: 120 at stage 1 (equivalent to the first year of a degree at a conventional university), 120 at stage 2 and 120 at stage 3. Are Rugby Bin Collectors Still On Strike? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 2022 GCSE Grades Explained: All Your Questions Answered Here. However, some universities look at extracurricular activities favourably during the admission process. The qualifications that are required vary based on the type of apprenticeship that you want to do, and which company you would like to work with. As a Gold Award holder, I also recommend including details of your residential and explaining that you did not know anyone but still managed to complete the activities while challenging yourself, learning new skills and making new friends. The points you can gain range from 5 UCAS points for a pass at Grade 6 to 75 points for a Distinction at Grade 8. The number of UCAS Points that you can earn are listed on the ABRSM Website. Participants must work through these in turn and satisfy various criteria. That's key stage 4. Making a Splash! Definitely the expeditions! But is this true? How to: include DofE in your UCAS personal statement. For those of you doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award for the purposes of university admissions, you should know that it doesn't actually give you UCAS points. Gold demands four days and three nights, with eight hours. Ask your school or college about undertaking these courses to up your UCAS points! These are the sorts of questions that you are going to have to ask yourself in relation to your DofE. That's right, even with walking 14 Miles a day on the Gold DofE, UCAS points are not awarded (though a shiny Duke of Edinburgh gold medal is up for grabs). If you have done the Silver award, you can do it in 52 weeks. The most obvious place to get UCAS points is from A-levels, AS-levels, and T-levels. It helps young people develop social and interpersonal skills as well as promoting confidence and self-esteem. At Cumulus Outdoors our residentials start from 270. In A-Level by Think Student EditorSeptember 15, 20207 Comments. The Award is designed to test and improve all sorts of different non-academic skills and it is intended to get you contributing to your community through voluntary activities. The most daunting part of a UCAS application is the Personal Statement: 4000 characters to explain your suitability for higher education. OK, its a bit more involved than simply going horse riding, but if youre a keen rider then you can use your equestrian skills to your advantage by taking qualifications from the British Horse Society. The DofE, if embraced, really does give a well-rounded boost to a young persons skill set. Even better, they dont all involve devoting even more of your time to studying from textbooks. Dont do it just because it makes you look like a more rounded candidate. Find out what else looks good on your university application! There are age restrictions for each level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. For people who complete the Gold award (which, by the way, is the only one in which any universities are going to be interested), you will have to do the fifth element. Due to this, the accuracy of articles on this site cannot always be guaranteed. The maximum age to complete the DofE Awards is 25 years old. The details of this course can be found on the ASDAN Website. You may also want to start taking the exams, if you already have a high level of skill in playing an instrument. However, some universities look at extracurricular activities favourably during the admission process. Personal development is the name of the game. Doing the Duke of Edinburgh programme will probably have little to no impact on your university application. During this time our team have become well versed in all things DofE and have gained an excellent understanding of the various sections that make up the scheme. . Plus, a DofE can also provide a good talking point in the interview, especially for a young person without much other work experience. The Best Free Homeschooling Resources UK Parents Need to Start Using Today. Its good to keep perspective however, with 330,000 students participating in the DofE in the 20/21 season its not an unusual achievement by itself. If your childs school isnt licensed to run the DofE a local Youth Group may be. For those looking to demonstrate an extremely high level of English language ability, the Certificate of Proficiency in English gains you up to 140 UCAS points and improves your English for employment and academic purposes. These are a good way of gaining more vocational qualifications that could benefit your future career plans, or simply to develop skills in something you find interesting whilst gaining UCAS points at the same time. Scottish Highers are essentially the Scottish equivalent to A-Levels. One of the benefits of these types of qualification is that you can go into a more specific field earlier on, which is great if you have an idea of what career path you want to take when you are 16. This will indicate to universities that you can adapt to new surroundings and thus fit in well. Take an extra A-level or AS-level. 20. . There are a wide range of courses that you can complete and be examined in to earn points, all of which are listed on the LAMDA Website. DofE is split into three different levels, which you can take at different ages and which differ in intensity and material required. Students can take 4 to 6 Highers in total, so if you want to earn extra UCAS Points, the more subjects the better! Participants and leaders can access their profile to see the activities completed in each section.Your child can even manage their DofE via the Duke of Edinburgh Award app which can be downloaded from the App store and Google Play. Working towards the DofE leads many young people to gain life skills, work experience and push themselves out of their comfort zone. . Silver is for people aged 15 and above and should take 52 weeks. DofE is split into three different levels, which you can take at different ages and which differ in intensity and material required. For those of you doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award for the purposes of university admissions, you should know that it doesnt actually give you UCAS points. Theres one section of the UCAS application where the DofE can be utilised, that is what we unofficially call The Duke of Edinburgh Personal Statement.. University of California, Berkeley (ages 15-18), 10 Brilliant Ways to Get More UCAS Points. Usually, you pick 3 subjects to study, but there is often an option to do 4 (which will obviously earn you more UCAS Points!). A Level 3 Free Standing Maths Qualification (FSMQ) is usually taken by GCSE students who excel at maths and want to be challenged. Of course, they would! Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre This site is owned and operated by Think Student Ltd. Note that this qualification will be withdrawn at the end of 2016, but you still have time to gain one before then. Most obviously, you can boost your number of UCAS points by taking on an extra A-level or AS-level. a st annes admission tutor told me we dont care how many Dof E awards youve got. 12657283. There are many ways to participate in the Gold DofE Award. If youre already an A-level student and dont play a musical instrument, its probably not going to be possible to get up to Grade 6-8 standard (from nothing) before you apply for university, but taking up an instrument while youre doing your GCSEs might give you enough time to reach the standard required to gain UCAS points, if you put in plenty of practice. Please try your request again later. It can be taken alongside GCSEs or A-Levels. UCAS and the DofE: My advice With the UCAS application process now open for 2020 entry to universities and colleges, Kira Jarvis, one of our Gold Award holders, shares her personal experience and advice on using your DofE experience to enhance your submission. The distance you walk per day on DofE varies between awards. How far can I backdate DofE? You can gain up to 50 extra UCAS points and help out a good cause by taking an ASDAN Community Volunteering Qualification. I am not a robot. A standard distance to walk is 16km per day on Bronze, 19km per day on Silver, and 23km per day on Gold. I therefore had the confidence to apply for and become a Course Representative and a Student Ambassador at university; this means I am often the person students or prospective students come to with questions about student life and our course. Each level of the DofE becomes increasingly more challenging, with more time required for each section. You never know, it could make a difference in getting into your first-choice university and you never know where that could take you! Lets take a closer look at how the Duke of Edinburgh Award can help your university admissions. It comprises of 5 days of group activities and 4 consecutive nights sleeping away from home. It is aimed at students aged 16 and over to allow them to develop their employability skills. This makes them useful qualifications for life in an office, not just on the stage: clear communication is essential for interacting with customers and colleagues. Diplomas, certificates and awards give you the opportunity to gain skills in a vocational subject that interests you. Participants may also find that they enjoy the experience more than they expected and acquire new skills to write about in their UCAS personal statement too. There are plenty of activity providers offering Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. However, perhaps not to the degree that you might expect. The DofE gives variety to a CV and is certainly an asset. A young person can take a Grade 6 (sometimes as young as 13) and earn 12 UCAS points. Silver DofE UCAS points also do not exist and so it will come as no surprise that the Bronze DofE follows the same pattern. Every young person can enter the award program. There are a wide variety of people who may choose to do an Access to HE Diploma, but most commonly, they are done by people who have been out of education for a while, and who dont have the qualifications to get straight into University. GoStudent is the #1 online tutoring platform for children.
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