No, I want to find out more. It is designed to foster interests and improve skills that can be drawn upon into adulthood. Did it teach you a new way of looking at the world? Doing my DofE also gave me the skills to adapt to the less structural way of life at university, allowed me to feel confident that I had made the right choice, and made me realise that, no matter what, there is no harm in applying for new opportunities, as you never know where or what they may lead to. Is there anything that the award shows that you can contribute to university life? They dont care about it per se. Which parts of the UCAS application can you use your DofE experience in? Typically, this begins when you turn 16 and start studying for higher-level qualifications. While its standard to take three A-levels, many of the brightest students will be taking four or even five A-levels, or four A-levels with perhaps an extra AS-level on top of that. Usually, you get much less freedom to decide where you are going and when than this suggests. So now you might be thinking if all that hard work does not equal UCAS points, then how to add the Duke of Edinburgh Award to my UCAS application at all? Does your child already have a full schedule, with other extracurricular activities and relevant work experience to the university course theyd like to apply for? Remember, DofE has over 400,000 entrants every year. Throughout the residential week you should endeavour to push the boundaries of your comfort zone and experience new environments and new people. Depending on the chosen programme you can stay in our purpose-built residential centre with dormitory accommodation or in our tented village. At the end of the expedition, you will be required to give a presentation (written, verbal, exhibition etc. 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. 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. The UCAS Points System can be confusing, and it is a useful thing to understand when applying to Universities. Dorset is one of the best places in the UK to participate in outdoor adventure activities. 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. They also mean that you have the option, if it interested you, to go straight into the field of work that you have been studying, as you will have hands on experience alongside your qualification. He able to get offer from KcL, durman, and imperial. Spending more time in a library, taking an extra A-level, can be well worth it. All sections of the award must be completed to pass the DofE award. However, some universities look at extracurricular activities favourably during the admission process. Yes. I also think that DofE Gold helps prepare you for university life, by replicating university experiences. Further information about both the Diploma and the Award can be found on the NOCN Website. 20. The DofE gives variety to a CV and is certainly an asset. 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.. Sure, it matters that you did something outside of the mainstream school system. You can also use the DofE if you get invited for an interview. It doesn't give you that many points however. Scottish Highers are essentially the Scottish equivalent to A-Levels. If you would like to find out more about how BTECs compare to other qualifications, take a look at this useful comparison. Personal development is the name of the game. Its important to choose a residential programme that interests you and allows you to explore your passions further. At Cumulus Outdoors we specialise in outdoor adventure activity residentials. Working towards the DofE leads many young people to gain life skills, work experience and push themselves out of their comfort zone. You can earn UCAS Points from Grade 6 - Grade 8, in both instrumental and music theory exams. 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. Those involved in the programme are required, in . To count towards your Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award the residential must be away from home and last for at least 4 nights and 5 consecutive days. 2. 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. How did doing your DofE help prepare you for University life? With an emphasis on personal development and practical experience, it is no surprise that many young people take up the DofE to help boost university applications and CVs with something more than academic achievements. I would not have even applied to do this if I had not done my DofE as it has reduced my nerves while talking to people I do not know and with assisting professionals or qualified staff members. There are lots of DofE residential providers across the UK offering a variety of activities. It demonstrates commitment, hard-work, determination and your ability to work independently and as part of a team. 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. To apply to Oxford, students would need to have completed, or be studying for, at least 120 points at stage 1 or above, in appropriate subjects. However, perhaps not to the degree that you might expect. They want to see that you are interested in the subject to which you are applying. Is the Duke of Edinburgh award important for university? They allow you to gain experience in a field of work which interests you, and give you the chance to either progress in that field of work, or go to university to further develop your skills. To count towards your Gold DofE award the residential must be away from home and last for a minimum of 4 nights. The DofE has most definitely built my self-esteem to be able to apply for things I would otherwise not have done. Employers and higher education establishments value the award and its an excellent talking point in interviews. Taking 4 A-Levels is a challenge, but if you do it successfully, it does increase the number of UCAS Points that you will earn, while also giving you good knowledge of a whole extra subject. Whats the Best Age to Start Swimming Lessons? 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. Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre BH19 2PX, Outdoor Adventure School Residential Trips in Dorset. Youll find out more below. If you want to earn extra UCAS Points, you can take an extra Cambridge Pre-U Qualification, so that you are studying 4 courses. 2 Does DofE count as 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. You can go on horse, on boat, on bike, or anything that isnt motorised. The only place to mention it (if you must) is in your PS or reference. 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. Does Gold DofE get UCAS points? If you have done your DofE, I would definitely mention it. Would an academic institution care if school pupils had walked across Cornwall for three days? In a similar way to A-Levels, you will have a broader range of subjects that you can continue with at degree level. Students can earn UCAS points by doing AS- Level, A-Level exams and IB diplomas, as well as through a few smaller independent qualifications. UCAS points are the most important piece of information for universities considering new students. 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. The opinions expressed within articles on this site reflect the opinions of individual student contributors, not Think Student as a whole. No. The difference is that Pre-U Qualifications give students more of an opportunity to work independently, so that they are more prepared for University study. If your childs school isnt licensed to run the DofE a local Youth Group may be. Most obviously, you can boost your number of UCAS points by taking on an extra A-level or AS-level. Whatever you mention, just make sure you explain how it helped you develop and how you would adapt this to study to succeed. I keep revising for science but I always forget so how do I fix this? The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, presents the award but thats about the only role he has in the whole thing. But well save that question for a little while later. It's not uncommon for the most promising students to take four or even five A-levels, with an extra AS-level on top. The Best Free Homeschooling Resources UK Parents Need to Start Using Today. At Award and Certificate level (Level 3), these qualifications give you 30 and 50 points respectively. These components are: If you would like to find out more about the International Baccalaureate and how it works, information about the Diplo. /h. What skills and experience from the DofE would you recommend mentioning? Doing a full diploma may be a bit of a tall order alongside A-levels, but the lower qualifications should be more manageable and will still give you points to the rough equivalent of half an A-level. D of E Silver 0 UCAS points. Reply 13. The Student Room and The Uni Guide are trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. . It is very important to remember that AS-Levels only contribute to your UCAS Point total score if you have not achieved an A-Level in the subject. By continuing to use our website without changing the settings, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Young people are eligible to start the DofE award from the age of 14. In addition, you will have to do a short presentation to a small group within your Sixth Form. So, yes, universities do like to see a Duke of Edinburgh Award on your UCAS form, but only insofar as it tells them something about you. Andy98. 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. Our goal is to connect every student with the perfect tutor. The maximum age to complete the DofE Awards is 25 years old. 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. Read our tips for how to talk about your DofE in your personal statement. Is the Duke of Edinburgh award a professional qualification? If i drop a subject can universities withdraw my offer? Helping there strengthened my passion for working with animals and, due to this, I decided to study Animal Management at university. Expedition participants must be unaccompanied and it needs to be completed without motorised transport. Official University of Edinburgh 2023 Applicant Thread, Official LSE Undergraduate Applicants thread 2023, students going to University of Leeds 2023 September, Cambridge and international qualifications, Official UNIVERSITY of BATH 2023 entry thread, Oxford History Applicants 2023 - Undergraduate & Postgraduate, Official Oxford 2023 Postgraduate Applicants Thread. Leave a rating. This will vary depending on when and where you are completing your expedition. Why did this happen? Performance is a great confidence boost, too, thus extending your comfort zone and improving your ability to take on new challenges. Uni rejects application for something not mention in entry requirment, Any other good/free programs like Sutton trust or UNIQ. Although some Universities give out their conditional offers to students based on their exam grades, there are still some which the UCAS Points system for offers. No. 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. Youll probably know it as the extra-curricular activity par excellence, that shows practical skills alongside your academic excellence. When Did Stirling Stop Being The Capital Of Scotland? We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our site. You will not receive UCAS points for completing the Duke of Edinburgh Award. However, you should remember that Volunteering is not only beneficial in terms of UCAS Points so it is still worth considering it as an option to broaden your skills. What Area Of Edinburgh Does J.K. Rowling Live? Why should you do the Duke of Edinburgh award? I have become more of a team player and will make sure everyones voice is heard as Course Representative. This article will help you understand the variety of ways which you can earn UCAS Points. Though there are still a number of different ways to earn points which may suit you better. Although the International Baccalaureate as a whole will not earn you any UCAS Points, each component of it will. The DofE is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life. Many employers will recognise the achievement of a DofE and the hard word that it represents. You amass a portfolio of evidence of the voluntary work youve done, as well as actively developing skills in a range of useful areas, such as customer service, fundraising and project management. Duke of Edinburgh is the initiative that takes place in secondary school across schools in England and the rest of the UK. 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. Thats key stage 4. Additional academic qualifications will make your university application look more impressive to admissions tutors, particularly when you choose to take on additional high-powered subjects on the list of facilitating subjects; but theres plenty to be said for these more vocational qualifications as well. 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. 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. 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). Meanwhile, for Gold, you need to be 16 or above (i.e. However, its more about what you have learned from it than the fact that you have done it. Making a Splash! . 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. The DofE promotes teamwork, self-discipline, empathy and independence and is something young people remember for the rest of their lives. Remember, they are academic institutions and their primary function is to educate academically. So, no, you cant just do the expedition. I also have more confidence to help me succeed. The thing about these timings is that if only one of the three sections has to be this long. 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. Use our quick UCAS tariff chart below to find out what your predicted UCAS points could be at A-level: Yes, the skills are invaluable! Students can take 4 to 6 Highers in total, so if you want to earn extra UCAS Points, the more subjects the better! 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. Read the providers reviews and ensure they have appropriate accommodation and qualifications for the activities. There are no further levels to complete. Which parts of the UCAS application can you use your DofE experience in? And, as you can imagine, the more hours are put in, the higher the number of UCAS Points earned is. A well as developing your specific subject knowledge, an Access to HE Diploma is intended to provide you with the study skills and general tools to make your time at University much more manageable and successful. 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). The Duke of Edinburghs International Award. Gold is the final stage of the Duke of Edinburgh award. Required fields are marked *. If youre thinking of doing this, talk to the teachers at your school to find out what subjects would fit into your timetable. 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. What Is The Average Salary For It People In Edinburgh? 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. Official: University of Sheffield A100 2023 entry, UCL postgraduate applicants thread 2023/2024, Barts and The London (QMUL) Dentistry 2023 Entry, hsbc work experience early careers programme stimulate assessment, Border Force Officer - Core and Mobile teams recruitment campaign September 2022. If you want to find out more about the Cambridge Pre-U Qualification, the Cambridge website contains all the details of the courses and assessments. Though this does not mean that it is limited to this group. This section of the award must take place in an unfamiliar environment without friends or relatives, which encourages young people to move out of their comfort zone. 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. If yes, then the DofE could be a useful tool to display non-academic achievements in a UCAS university personal statement as well as being a beneficial experience overall. You should join a DofE residential as an individual without meeting participants or leaders beforehand. Since then, it has been growing and growing and, these days, there are over 450,000 participants at any one time in the UK. Higher Level which can earn you up to 56 Points. Your gold award in DofE isnt a golden ticket to any higher education institution that you fancy. Duke of Edinburgh can make your look great on your uni application! These are known as bronze, silver, and gold level. 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. A friend just told me they put 6A* and 2 A as their gcse result on ucas while his gcse result is 1*A (math) 2A and the rest are B-D. What are the Duke of Edinburgh Award UCAS application points? Cumulus also runs bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh walking and kayaking expeditions. Whats more, drama requires good teamwork, so thats another useful transferrable skill youll pick up through this qualification. For full courses, known as Principal Subjects, youll receive up to 145 UCAS points, while Short Courses available in Modern Foreign Languages, Mathematics and Global Perspectives attract up to 60 points. What are the Hardest GCSEs? Of the 4 people I know at Oxford, only 1 has done DofE. Qualities that colleges, universities and employers are attracted to. Gain points by playing a musical instrument. You can earn UCAS Points from Grade 6 Grade 8, in both instrumental and music theory exams. If you are living in Wales, a great way to earn some more UCAS Points is by completing some Essential Skills courses, to develop your employability skills. The Student Room and The Uni Guide are both part of The Student Room Group. As weve seen, accumulating extra UCAS points can involve saddling yourself with even more academic work, but it doesnt have to: you can have fun with more vocational qualifications and pick up UCAS points in the process. This will indicate to universities that you can adapt to new surroundings and thus fit in well. Volunteering is not only a good way of adding to your UCAS Points, but it is also a wonderful addition to your CV. Maybe your child does not currently participate in any regular extracurricular activities. If you arent sure which subjects work well when combined, take a look at this useful article which lists some good A-Level combinations. Like going away from home, on your own, and interacting with a group of your peers. It also gives you something to talk about on your personal statement (eg confidence). 2022 GCSE Grades Explained: All Your Questions Answered Here. The details of this course can be found on the ASDAN Website. If you wish to report an article for misleading or false information, please click here. The difficulty level of this qualification falls somewhere between GCSE and AS-level Maths, and at the Advanced Level youll come out with the rough equivalent of an A-level module. It can also demonstrate commitment and independence to potential employers and educational establishments. Summer School 2023 is filling up fast. To qualify as a DofE Gold Award residential the activity must take place over 5 days and include 4 consecutive nights away from home. How do you think achieving your Award and the skills gained will help you in your future? For Silver this goes up to a minimum of 7 hours per day, and for Gold a minimum of 8 hours planned activity per day before setting up camp for the night. If you need 144 points to do your dream university course, you'll need three A-level A grades. The DofE residential must be completed as part of the Gold Award. Truth: The D of E does not equal any UCAS points, Myth: The D of E is important for a UCAS application, Truth: It is a recognisable achievement, but for UCAS applications, exam, Myth: The D of E makes my UCAS application unique. Completing your DofE and a grade or two would help to showcase your skills and talent. reply. . Doing the Duke of Edinburgh programme will probably have little to no impact on your university application. The whole qualification will take you around 150 hours to complete. They are one of the most challenging aspects as you are isolated from the outside world without mobiles or other devices. 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!) Work experience where possible, make each one relevant to the role youre applying for, listing your achievements and responsibilities. Duke of Edinburgh Award: Will it Boost My UCAS Application? 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! The Duke of Edinburgh Award has a number of benefits. Qualifications as well as your academic qualifications, remember to include your DofE Award. 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. This could be useful for a number of University courses, which require you to have a reasonably high level of maths, but do not necessarily need (even though it is generally preferred) for you to have a Maths A-Level. A Level 3 Free Standing Maths Qualification (FSMQ) is usually taken by GCSE students who excel at maths and want to be challenged. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a fun and educational programme for young people aged 14-24. Naturally, some groups will do less than this, and others more. captcha. Having good English Language abilities will be essential if you intend to study in the UK, and the ESOL Programme is a good way of demonstrating that you have these skills. You can gain confidence in speaking, writing and listening, which will all be incredibly useful skills. 3 Is gold DofE good for Is Gold Dofe Worth Ucas Points? How do I add my Duke of Edinburgh to my UCAS application? This is another great way to earn UCAS Points from an activity which you enjoy and which takes you away from your academic work so you wont end up sat at a desk all day studying! A slightly higher knowledge of maths might also come in useful for certain degree subjects for which A-level maths is not required, such as Geography. Did your volunteering or skill complement a particular part of your studies? PSHE teacher told us that watching porn is ok and healthy, UCAS Applications + Uni group discussion threads 2023 **Official Thread**, The Courtauld Institute of Art 2023 offers. Lets take a closer look at how the Duke of Edinburgh Award can help your university admissions. There is a small participation and welcome pack fee when you sign up to each level of the award. 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. Please try your request again later. The specification can be found here. Take an extra A-level or AS-level. For example, if you did photography as your skill and are now looking to enrol on a photography degree, or if your volunteering involved . 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. Actually, it aims to get you improving yourself in a whole myriad of ways. 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. The Skills Challenge Certificate (SCC) can be taken as a standalone graded qualification for students in Wales. What matters much more to universities is your academic commitment. If you have done your Silver or Gold DofE, mention the skills, physical and volunteering sections too, as they indicate that you will follow commitments through even if it takes up your time which you may need for other activities. You may choose to serve others by undertaking a voluntary role supporting an organisation e.g., helping at a Scouts camp, or you could explore environmental or educational topics by signing up to a field studies trip. All Rights Reserved. Debate with GF/BF: TSR votes will decide! 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 DofE award is a program independent from school qualifications that young people choose to undertake. Although dance can be challenging and requires a lot of work, it can be used as a good way to have a break from your academic studies while also allowing you to do something that has the potential to help your academic career. 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! This is one of the best decisions I have ever made; the skills I gained at the stables are adaptable to other animals and my studies, and the course has given me so many opportunities I would not have had if I had not applied to university or taken up my offer. Writing about the course. Report. AS-Levels are another great way to earn UCAS Points. PQ. You must also undertake an expedition that lasts 4 days and 3 nights as well as a residential. The residentials take place in a scenic location on the world-famous Jurassic Coast.
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