Award levels and activities

Carry out a programme of activities, record your progress and receive your DofE Award

To complete the DofE Award you must carry out a personal programme of activities in the following sections:

See an overview of all sections on the DofE website: Sections (www.dofe.org)

Volunteering, Skill, and Physical Activities for each DofE section take a minimum of one hour a week over a set period of time. Activities can be fit around academic study, hobbies and your social life.

All activities must be completed by your 25th birthday.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award logo and bronze, silver and gold badges

Activity timelines

Duke of Edinburgh's Award bronze logo
Bronze award

The Bronze Award consists of four sections:

  • Volunteering - 3 months
  • Physical - 3 months
  • Skills - 3 months
  • Expedition - 2 days/1 night

In addition, you must complete 3 additional months in the volunteering, physical or skills section.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Gold logo

The Silver Award consists of four sections:

  • Volunteering - 6 months
  • Physical and Skills - one section for 6 months and the other for 3 months
  • Expedition - 3 days and 2 nights

If you didn't complete your Bronze Award, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the volunteering section or the longer of the physical or skills sections.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Gold logo

The Gold Award consists of five sections:

  • Volunteering - 12 months
  • Physical and Skills - one section for 12 months and the other for 6 months
  • Expedition - 4 days and 3 nights
  • Residential - 5 days and 4 nights

If you didn't complete a Silver Award, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the volunteering section or the longer of the physical or skills sections.

Expeditions and residential programmes

Open expeditions

A range of open expeditions are available to all DofE participants. Explore what expeditions are available at each level and find out how to book:

Gold Award residential

Participants completing the Gold Award will need to undertake a residential activity away from home for 5 days.

We run a variety of residentials that are designed for young people to have fun, challenge themselves and take part in a career-enhancing experience.

See all residential opportunities within Hampshire on our Gold residentials page:

Gold residentials

Record your progress with eDofE

Evidence of your activities should be uploaded to the eDofE online portal to record your progress.

If your assessor writes in your welcome pack, upload a scan or photograph of the page to your account. If you give your assessor your eDofE account number, they can also upload evidence directly.

Log in to eDofE. 

Submit assessor reports to the DofE Assessor section of the DofE website (assessors must be over 18 and not a family member).

Receiving your award

To receive your Award you will need to upload evidence to show you have completed all sections, including an assessor report. Evidence will also need to be approved by your leader.

Your Award will be sent to the Hampshire County Council DofE team for approval. If you are submitting a Gold Award, this will be sent to the national DofE Award team for approval.

Bronze and Silver Awards

Once you have completed your programme of activities and your Award has been approved, Hampshire County Council will send you the following:

  • a letter congratulating you on your award
  • a badge
  • an invitation to an annual presentation evening held in your district

Gold Award

Before you can complete your Gold Award, you will be asked to complete additional details in eDofE. Once you have supplied these details you will receive an invitation to the DofE Gold Award presentation at Buckingham Palace.

Contact Details

Get in touch with the Hampshire DofE Award team for further information:

  • Hampshire Outdoors, Children’s Services Department
    First Floor EII Court West
    The Castle, Winchester
    SO23 8UG

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: 01962 846193