The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme
at a glance

There are three levels of Award; Bronze, Silver and Gold.  At each level, there are four sections:
        Service, Expedition, Skills, Physical Recreation, plus a Residential Project (at Gold only).

The minimum period of participation for direct entrants is: Bronze: 6 months  Silver: 12 months  Gold:  18 months

 To recognise effort and encourage progression, there are shorter time limits for those who have completed a previous Award. (expressed as additional time for direct entrants, rather than reduced time for those progressing).  In the Service, Skills and Physical Recreation sections, minimum time requirements are expressed in months based on average involvement of at least 1 hour per week.

Timescales for involvement

 Bronze Award  

Minimum Age (Start):    14    (Completion):    14½
Minimum Duration:        6 months

Service

Skills

Physical Recreation

 

Expeditions

3 months

3 months

3 months

 

Plan, prepare for and undertake a
2-day, 1-night venture.

An additional 3 months must be undertaken in any one of these sections.

 

 

Silver Award  

Minimum Age (Start):    15    (Completion):    15½ (Bronze Award holder) / 16 (Direct Entrant)
Minimum Duration:        6 months (Bronze Award holder) / 12 months (Direct Entrant)

Service

Skills

Physical Recreation

 

Expeditions

6 months

One section for 6 months, and the other for 3 months.

 

Plan, prepare for and undertake a
3-day, 2-night venture.

Direct entrants must undertake an additional 6 months in one of the 6-month sections.

 

 

 Gold Award  

Minimum Age (Start):    16    (Completion):    17 (Silver Award holder) / 17½ (Direct Entrant)
Maximum Age (Start):   23½.
Minimum Duration:        12 months (Silver award holder) / 18 months (Direct Entrant)

Service

Skills

Physical Recreation

 

Expeditions

 

Residential

12 months

One for 12 months, the other for 6 months.

 

Plan, prepare for and undertake a
4-day, 3-night venture.

 

Undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days, 4 nights.

Direct entrants must undertake an additional 6 months in one of the 12-month sections.

 

 

 There should be a regular commitment throughout the above periods of involvement averaging at least one hour per week.  

Must complete by 25th Birthday

Queen’s Badge Regulations for Comparison with Silver D of E

Queen’s Badge Award  

Minimum Age (Start):    15    (Completion):    16
Duration:                       12 months Minimum (Recommend 18)

Leadership Training

Company
Service

Service outwith Company & Church

 

Skills

Physical

Expedition / Exploration

 

Completion Course

All candidates must attend a Brigade Leadership course, or another approved course

Anchor Boys / Juniors / Target – 1 Session (Sep – Apr).  Other C/S Badge classes – 6-8 weeks.

.

At least 30- hours over minimum of 6 months

 

Candidates need complete one, two or three of these sections

.

Attend and satisfactorily participate in a residential Completion Course.

 

Regulations per DoE Silver.  If only doing one activity, minimum of 6 months regular activity.

Plan, prepare for and undertake a
3-day, 2-night venture

 

  Must complete by end of the session in which candidate reaches 19th Birthday.