The DofE award has gained an immense level of popularity over the past few years. Students learn about the challenging expedition, fun activities completed, and new skills gained from participating in the award. However, it is important to know how to actually start the DofE award. After all, you can’t throw yourself into the different skills and activities without actually applying first!
You can apply for the DofE award via a number of different pathways. If your school, college, or university offers the DofE award, you could apply through them. Alternatively, you could apply through youth groups or other organisations. If you are over 18, you could apply to DofE directly by yourself, by using DofE direct.
If you want to discover more about how and where you can apply for the Duke of Edinburgh’s award, carry on reading and hopefully, you will find a good pathway for you.
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How do you apply for DofE at school?
If your school offers students a chance to do the Duke of Edinburgh’s award, they will most probably advertise this opportunity. If your school does offer the DofE award, a teacher will be appointed as a DofE leader.
They will be responsible for answering any questions you have about the award and will offer you support when you need it. They will enrol you in eDofE, which is the online platform for the DofE award.
This will allow you to record all of your activities and upload any evidence, which you are required to do to complete the award. To discover more about eDofE, check out this article from the official DofE website. Alternatively, check out this Think Student article.
How do you apply for DofE at college or university?
Most colleges and universities have a DofE group, which is run by a DofE leader. All you need to do is approach them and simply ask if you can sign up! They will give you all of the information you need and help plan your next steps.
Colleges and universities are often very enthusiastic about students taking part in the DofE award. After all, it can provide students with a range of skills.
You can find out more if you check out this article from the DofE website.
Can you apply for the DofE award through Scouts or Girlguides?
You don’t have to apply for the DofE award through your school or institution! You can actually apply to do the DofE award if you are a part of a group outside of school, such as the Scouts or Girlguides.
In fact, Scouts is one of the biggest providers of the DofE award in the UK! If you do it through Scouts, this achievement can then be linked to the Chief Scout’s Platinum, Diamond, and King’s Scout awards.
You can find out more about completing the DofE award via Scouts if you check out this article from the official Scouts website.
Similarly, you can link the DofE award to Girlguiding if you are involved in this group. For example, it fits in closely with the Queens Guide award. You can find out more about completing the DofE award through Girlguiding if you check out this article from the official Girlguiding website.
What is DofE direct?
If you really want to complete the Gold section of the DofE award but you don’t have a local DofE centre nearby, DofE direct could be the option for you! This is a platform that allows participants to do the Gold DofE award independently.
This means that you won’t have to attend weekly sessions at a DofE centre. Instead, you will be able to independently complete and progress through your DofE activities.
If you need support, you can email your DofE leader directly. This programme is run through eDofE, which is the Duke of Edinburgh’s online system. This allows you to complete the Gold DofE award with only remote guidance and apply from anywhere.
It has allowed greater accessibility to 18-24 year olds who really want to complete their Gold DofE award. You can find out more about DofE direct if you check out this article from the DofE website.
It is easy to enrol! All you have to do is submit your details and pay a fee of £75. You can enrol on the DofE website if you click here.
How do you apply for the DofE award individually?
If you are not over 18, you will be unable to sign up to the DofE award via DofE direct. If you are not part of the Girlguides or Scouts and your school doesn’t offer the DofE award, you may have to look elsewhere.
An alternative path to sign up to the DofE award is to join a local youth club which has a DofE licence. They will then support you and get you signed up to the eDofE platform.
You can discover more about where and how you can sign up to do the DofE award if you check out this article from the DofE website.
What happens after you have applied for the DofE award?
After you have signed up, the process of completing your DofE award will begin! You will be emailed a link to your eDofE account which is where you will be logging your progress through the course of your DofE journey.
You will then be posted a welcome pack with information about completing the DofE. You will also be posted your DofE discount card, allowing you to get all of that expedition equipment for a lower price!
To find out more about what happens after the sign-up process, check out this article from the DofE website.
You will then have to select which activities you will do to complete the award. There is a skills section, where you must choose a skill you will do, such as baking or painting for example. You will then have to choose a physical activity. This can be a sport for example.
You must then select the type of volunteering you are doing. Volunteering is a big part of the DofE award, as it allows you to give back to the community whilst acquiring a load of new skills. Check out this article from Think Student to discover why volunteering is good for you!
After you have filled this in, you just have to show your DofE leader and if they are happy with your choices, you can get going! You will have to do these set of sections for a set amount of time, depending on the level of DofE which you are completing.
You can discover the timescales for the different award levels if you check out this page from the DofE website.
How much does DofE cost?
When applying for the DofE award, you need to consider how much it will cost! It can end up being quite expensive after you take into account all of the kit you have to invest in.
This article from the DofE website describes how the Bronze and Silver DofE awards cost £22.50 to be enrolled in. The Gold DofE award costs £32.50.
However, depending on which organisation you do your DofE award in, this may be more expensive due to extra costs, such as transport for example.
If you are doing the Gold DofE, you will have to pay for your residential trip separately. Depending on what type of residential you do, these can be quite expensive! Check out this article from Think Student to discover some ideas for your DofE residential.
Then you have to think about everything you have to buy for your DofE award, such as your rucksack, expedition food and other kit! You can find out more about how much the DofE award costs if you check out this article from Think Student.
However, luckily, you are given a discount card when completing your awards to help save some money when you shop for DofE equipment! You can find out more about the DofE discount card if you check out this page from the DofE website.
Should you apply for the DofE award?
Applying to do the DofE award can be seen as a very good idea! This is because it can provide you with a once in a lifetime opportunity, allowing you to gain new skills and experiences. You are likely to also make new friends and create memories that will last a lifetime.
This article from the DofE website explains how completing the DofE award can lead to individuals gaining more confidence. It may even impress universities and employers when you are applying for a course or job!
Applying for the DofE award also means that you will making a difference to other people’s lives by volunteering! Check out this article from Think Student to discover why doing volunteering is amazing.
However, it must be noted that the DofE award may be more challenging for some individuals compared to others. This is because the expeditions are physically tough and the amount of time you have to dedicate to the award may just not be possible for some people.
Consequently, it is important to weigh up the pros and cons of the DofE award before applying. Check out this article from Think Student to discover what these are!
Regardless of how tough you may think you will find the DofE award, there is no harm in applying! If you start with the bronze level, this is less strenuous, and you may even realise that you enjoy it!