Rather, as we discussed in our piece on the school clubs that look good to universities, its much more about what you do with it. 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 Bronze and Silver DofE award have the same four sections to be completed, and a Gold DofE award has a fifth section: Participating in any regular physical activity, for example playing in a football team. By continuing to use our website without changing the settings, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The DofE is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life. 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. If yes, then the DofE may not be able to elevate their UCAS application much further. There are a number of different Horse-Riding Qualifications which can earn you UCAS Points, and they are listed on the British Horse Society Website, alongside the number of points that they will earn you. 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. Volunteering is not only a good way of adding to your UCAS Points, but it is also a wonderful addition to your CV. Throughout the residential week you should endeavour to push the boundaries of your comfort zone and experience new environments and new people. Although the International Baccalaureate as a whole will not earn you any UCAS Points, each component of it will. The DofE award is a program independent from school qualifications that young people choose to undertake. Sure, it matters that you did something outside of the mainstream school system. Would an academic institution care if school pupils had walked across Cornwall for three days? 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. 10 Brilliant Ways to Get More UCAS Points. Completing your DofE and a grade or two would help to showcase your skills and talent. You would take these at Sixth Form instead of A-Levels. The DofE also demonstrates many soft skills that cannot be communicated through academic grades alone. Example aims include: create a piece of artwork inspired by the landscape, survey the landscape, create a nature guide. 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. However, perhaps not to the degree that you might expect. 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. R-CAPTCHA. 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. 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. Does gold DofE give UCAS points? Usually, you get much less freedom to decide where you are going and when than this suggests. It is not only incredibly useful in terms of your University Application, but also in your future employment opportunities. Our systems have detected unusual traffic from your computer network. Participating in an activity that increases knowledge in a certain area, not to be confused with something physical. How Often Does Edinburgh Tram Go To Airport? There are lots of DofE residential providers across the UK offering a variety of activities. 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. Take an extra A-level or AS-level. With exceptions for some specific courses, DofE comes into play for that last 20% . Through your DofE activities you may have already demonstrated an interest in your course subject. 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. It helped me to be confident and go for things I would have only dreamed of before doing the DofE. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Some voccational qualifications do give UCAS points, however these are usually exams with a standardised assessment procedure. 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. 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. Residentials are a great way to explore creative outlets and learn new skills e.g., taking part in a jewellery making course or trying a new sport. Students can take 3-4 of their courses at Higher Level (which comprises of around 240 teaching hours) and the remaining subjects at Standard Level (which is made up of around 150 hours of teaching). You might have been invited to a parents information evening about the DofE where the award is touted heavily as an asset to any UCAS application, however the Duke of Edinburgh Award UCAS application points breakdown looks like the following: Thats 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). Does Gold DofE get UCAS points? It is aimed at students aged 16 and over to allow them to develop their employability skills. At Cumulus Outdoors weve been helping young people achieve their Duke of Edinburgh Award for many years through our exciting expeditions and Gold residential programmes. A-Levels are the most common way of getting UCAS Points. Theres a handy flow chart to follow to ensure youve met all of the requirements. However, unfortunately the last year that the Pre-U Qualification exams can be sat is 2023, so your course would need to have started by September 2021. . Which parts of the UCAS application can you use your DofE experience in? The most obvious place to get UCAS points is from A-levels, AS-levels, and T-levels. Enjoyed this article? What Area Of Edinburgh Does J.K. Rowling Live? 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! There is no minimum distance to cover, however there must be 8 hours of planned activity each day to satisfy the expedition requirements. Cumulus Outdoors in Swanage offer an exciting events programme, which showcases the best of the Jurassic Coast. There are plenty of opportunities to connect teamwork to the DofE, for example: To become a (enter job aspiration associated with course applied for here) cooperating in a team is of the utmost importance. These are known as bronze, silver, and gold level. Reply 13. The DofE promotes teamwork, self-discipline, empathy and independence and is something young people remember for the rest of their lives. There are a number of criteria that must be met in order to complete your DofE Gold expedition. Cumulus Outdoors offer a number of DofE gold residential programmes in Dorset. In A-Level by Think Student EditorSeptember 15, 20207 Comments. I mentioned that I had been part of Scouting since the age of 6 and had completed many challenges including trips to Germany, Estonia and Poland and hiking in the Peak District. Participating in DofE can help you demonstrate that you possess the skills needed to excel in further education or your chosen career. Is there anything that the award shows that you can contribute to university life? 6 years ago. 2 Does DofE count as UCAS points? It also demonstrates to Universities that you are good at learning more practical skills something that is likely to be useful in your future studying and careers. According to reports from UCAS, most business-related courses require BBB at A-Level which brings a total of 120 UCAS points. 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. 1. The Gold residential must include 5 consecutive days of group activities and at least 4 nights away from home. For example, you may want to do a diploma in Fashion, or Fitness Instructing and Personal Training. A Theory of Knowledge, which can earn you up to 12 Points. But is this true? 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. This is usually the most challenging element for participants who must trek with their tent, water and cooking supplies carried on their backs. 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. /h. The elements of each persons DofE can vary widely, depending on how they choose to complete their sections. 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 residential costs vary between provider. Since then, it has been growing and growing and, these days, there are over 450,000 participants at any one time in the UK. So perhaps your child has written in their UCAS Personal statement already about their interest in the course and their academic achievements, but theyd like to demonstrate their ability to, lets say, cooperate in a team. Through your DofE activities you may have already demonstrated an interest in your course subject. There are no scores or grades, participants either pass or not. What are the Duke of Edinburgh Award UCAS application points? Is the Duke of Edinburgh award important for university? Cumulus also runs bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh walking and kayaking expeditions. 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). These include an incredibly popular watersports week, first aid week and festive Halloween and Christmas specials. Young Enterprise is a programme that has been running since 1963. You will not receive UCAS points for completing the Duke of Edinburgh Award. BTECs are another common alternative to A-Levels. 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! The distance you walk per day on DofE varies between awards. 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. More information about this certificate can be found here. Every effort has been made to keep costs down to ensure the DofE award is accessible to all. It does not serve any purpose on your UCAS form beyond the personal statement, where you are entitled to push it hard. 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. This is in comparison to a BTEC route, which is more specialised. 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. 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. DofE is split into three different levels, which you can take at different ages and which differ in intensity and material required. 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? Dance Examinations are a great way to earn extra UCAS Points. Not gonna be a snitch, but now that I know stuff like this happen. Like going away from home, on your own, and interacting with a group of your peers. Does Gold DofE get UCAS points? It shows them too that you are an independent person who can look after themselves and who isnt just their exam results. You will feel a huge sense of achievement when you have completed all of the sections and receive your award. The bronze award should take participants 26 weeks. 2022 GCSE Grades Explained: All Your Questions Answered Here. Learning a musical instrument can be a fun pastime, and is a great way to earn some extra UCAS Points. Cumulus Outdoors are based in Dorset and run Gold canoe and walking expeditions. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award. 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. All A Levels come with UCAS points, the maximum number for one being 56 and that would require an A* grade. You must volunteer in the community for at least 12 months and complete the physical and skill sections. It is designed to foster interests and improve skills that can be drawn upon into adulthood. Never consider sources in isolation and always do your own independent research before making decisions. Gold demands four days and three nights, with eight hours. Further information about both the Diploma and the Award can be found on the NOCN Website. Has anybody accepted university offers so far in 2023? The whole qualification will take you around 150 hours to complete. In a similar way to A-Levels, you will have a broader range of subjects that you can continue with at degree level. Did it teach you a new way of looking at the world? You can also use the DofE if you get invited for an interview. If music or drama arent quite your thing, but youre still inclined towards the performing arts, you might be interested to know that you can gain extra UCAS points through dancing. What skills and experience from the DofE would you recommend mentioning? There are age restrictions for each level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. No. 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. 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. The number of UCAS Points that you can earn are listed on the ABRSM Website. You can start the DofE award at the age of 14 but you must be at least 16 years old to start the Gold level. Should you put Duke of Edinburgh Award on CV? Expedition participants must be unaccompanied and it needs to be completed without motorised transport. There are 3 levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold) and a number of sections to complete. Every young person can enter the award program. If your childs school isnt licensed to run the DofE a local Youth Group may be. 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. 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. does gold dofe give ucas points. Regardless, the skills which you learn from some of the ways that you can gain UCAS Points will aid your application, as they can help to demonstrate the wide variety of skills that you possess. Duke of Edinburgh Award: Will it Boost My UCAS Application? I also think that DofE Gold helps prepare you for university life, by replicating university experiences. It should be something you are interested in and be suitable for completing in wild country without external help. Therefore, it depends which Universities that you are applying to as to how essential UCAS Points are, so it is important to do your research! 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. What are the Hardest GCSEs? And, as you can imagine, the more hours are put in, the higher the number of UCAS Points earned is. 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. Read More Most obviously, you can boost your number of UCAS points by taking on an extra A-level or AS-level. So, no, you cant just do the expedition. 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. Spending more time in a library, taking an extra A-level, can be well worth it. Universities dont really care whether you went to a grammar school, a standard state school, or any other type of school. DofE can help young people discover new hobbies and talents. Benefits of DofE - The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Benefits to young people When your child does their DofE programme they'll develop the skills and attitudes they need to become more rounded, confident adults. 0. At the end of each level participants receive an award to recognise their achievements. Subject areas you can choose from for the Free-standing Mathematics Qualification include Additional Maths, Using and Applying Statistics, Working with Algebraic and Graphical Techniques, and Modelling with Calculus. So, if youve got the time, and you can afford to do so, I would wholeheartedly recommend DofE Gold. Writing about the course. Rather, your school will tell you the time and date (usually a bank holiday weekend) and you will plot the route. Debate with GF/BF: TSR votes will decide! After signing up with a local school or institution, progress is managed online in an eDofE account. 20. These components are: If you would like to find out more about the International Baccalaureate and how it works, information about the Diplo. There are a variety of courses available, such as: These courses are intended for students aged 16 and above, and they are great for making you look like a more desirable employee when you start looking for work. A Level 3 Free Standing Maths Qualification (FSMQ) is usually taken by GCSE students who excel at maths and want to be challenged. GoStudent is the #1 online tutoring platform for children. I am not a robot. University of California, Berkeley (ages 15-18), 10 Brilliant Ways to Get More UCAS Points. Completion times vary between individuals; however, the Gold award will take at least 12 months to achieve. Some organisations running the award may charge a fee to cover administration costs and activities may be an additional extra. Unfortunately, DofE does not give you UCAS points. A Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE) Level 3 will get you 16 UCAS Points. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. For example, being a leader at a UK-based holiday camp for disadvantaged young people. Here's what universities want to see in your application - and how you can show them everything you've got. 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. The Modern Foreign Languages short courses (for which you can choose from Italian, French, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Spanish and German) would be particularly useful in the long-term, as the ability to speak other languages has long been acknowledged as something that makes you more enjoyable. I have become more of a team player and will make sure everyones voice is heard as Course Representative. 5 (39 reviews) Siddharth. Though there are still a number of different ways to earn points which may suit you better. Maybe your child does not currently participate in any regular extracurricular activities. The test includes reading, writing, listening and speaking elements. 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. Why should you do the Duke of Edinburgh award? You can earn UCAS Points from Grade 6 Grade 8, in both instrumental and music theory exams. The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, presents the award but thats about the only role he has in the whole thing. 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? 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. The scheme encourages young people to try new things and step out of their comfort zone. Summer School 2023 is filling up fast. All apprentices earn a specific minimum wage (details of which can be found here). Doing the Duke of Edinburgh programme will probably have little to no impact on your university application. We recommend speaking with your expedition provider. Remember, they are academic institutions and their primary function is to educate academically. 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 you want to earn extra UCAS Points, you can take an extra Cambridge Pre-U Qualification, so that you are studying 4 courses. Your gold award in DofE isnt a golden ticket to any higher education institution that you fancy. Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre The DofE has most definitely built my self-esteem to be able to apply for things I would otherwise not have done. You can do some in depth research about a subject that interests you, to then write a 5,000 word essay, which will answer a question that you have set yourself. In my personal statement, I wrote about how my experience during the Skill and Physical sections had increased my confidence and improved my fitness and swimming speed; for my physical activity, I swam at a local swimming club and gained Personal Bests. Participating in DofE can help you demonstrate that you possess the skills needed to excel in further education or your chosen career. Each level of the DofE becomes increasingly more challenging, with more time required for each section. If you are over the age of 18 you can complete the award independently with the support of DofE leader via email and telephone. The details of this course can be found on the ASDAN Website. . Can I Leave My Luggage At Edinburgh Bus Station? Students can take 4 to 6 Highers in total, so if you want to earn extra UCAS Points, the more subjects the better! Think Student Ltd is a participant in the Amazon Services Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk. Remember, DofE has over 400,000 entrants every year. For Silver, this extends to three days and two nights, with seven hours on each day. Qualities that colleges, universities and employers are attracted to. 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. Rather, it means what else you have done outside of your schooling. Youll probably know it as the extra-curricular activity par excellence, that shows practical skills alongside your academic excellence. Not at all, by all means do it if you have the time, but your exam results are far more important. For example, the NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Photography is worth 60 points, or 120 if you do the full diploma. Graded dance qualifications, similar to the music exams, are offered by several organisations, including the British Ballet Organization, the British Theatre Dance Association, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and the Royal Academy of Dance. Whats the Best Age to Start Swimming Lessons? There are 5 sections to complete as part of the Gold DofE award. To help you with your planning, weve created a helpful guide containing a list of frequently asked Gold DofE questions. 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!) What Is The Duke of Edinburgh Award UCAS Application Connection? All sections of the award must be completed to pass the DofE award.