HomeDo DofEYour DofE programme

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Your DofE programme

Get creative and make your DofE programme truly your own.

With a whole world of activities waiting, the choice is yours. Whether you’re into scaling walls, coding the next big app, spinning tunes as a DJ, dancing, or caring for animals.

You can develop hobbies you already love or dive into something completely fresh. And along the way? You’ll have a blast with friends, get fitter, master new skills, and make a real difference in your community. All while gearing up for an epic expedition.

Be sure to have a quick chat with your DofE Leader to check your activities tick the right boxes and count for the right sections. The possibilities are endless, so what will you choose?

We have activity ideas for each of the sections, programme planners and resources to help you along the way to your Award.

Activity logs

To help you keep track of your progress we have created an Activity Log. It’s a personal record of the time you spend on your activities for each section. You must add your logs to eDofE along with your evidence.

Approved Activity Providers

Approved Activity Providers (AAPs) are organisations who offer young people opportunities that count towards achieving a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

AAPs run programmes for all sections both online and in person. You can see what our AAPs offer in the Opportunity Finder. The DofE has approved that these opportunities meet the sectional requirements.

AAPs cannot deliver a whole DofE programme or register you for an Award. AAPs can only deliver the section they are licensed for.

You can do activities for your Volunteering, Physical, Skill and Residential section with an organisation without an AAP licence. You must complete your expedition with an AAP or your Licensed Organisation. Before you start, you need to check with your DofE Leader that your activity will count towards your Award.

Changing activities

While we don’t recommend this, if you need, you can change one activity in each section at each level. You must restart the preparation, training, activity and assessment process.

The time spent on both activities will add up to meet the total time requirement for that section. Make sure you speak to your DofE Leader before changing your activity.

Changing groups

Maybe you’ve moved, you’re leaving home to go to uni or having problems in your current group. Don’t worry, you’ve paid for your participation place so you’re a DofE participant until your 25th birthday. That means you have lots of time to complete your programme and achieve your Award.

Your eDofE account is valid, so you can continue to upload evidence and information.

If you’re moving to a new school, college or youth group that offers the DofE, get in touch with the DofE Leader. They can move your eDofE account to your new group. Everything you’ve done so far will be valid – you don’t have to do anything again! They can help you get started on the sections you still have to complete to achieve your DofE.

Anyone over 18 doing their Gold can transfer to do their DofE with DofE Direct.

If you’re over 16, have completed a previous Award and want to finish your Gold, but have no local options available please contact us.

If you’re moving overseas, you might be able to transfer to the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. The International Award operates in more than 130 countries and territories around the world. The section requirements are the same worldwide, so if you begin your DofE in the UK, you can easily transfer to another country or territory to complete your Award. You should speak to your Leader who can arrange this via your Operations Officer.