Timescales
There are 3 levels of the DofE programme you can do which lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.
The main differences between them are:
- the length of time it takes to complete them
- how challenging they are
- at what age you can start
Depending on your age you can start at any level, but most people prefer to start at Bronze and work upwards. You have to finish all your sections before your 25th birthday.
You need to work on each section for an average of 1 hour a week. At Bronze level, activities are usually weekly.
Condensed hours
For longer sections at Silver and Gold it can be useful to do an activity for longer but less often.
This can be good for Volunteering in particular, so you can take on more interesting and challenging activities. For example, in a Gold programme lasting 12 or 18 months, you could do one 4-6 hour session of volunteering per month.
You cannot condense an activity to less than 1 session per month and you cannot complete more than 6 hours in a month.
Goal
For each section, you should set a challenging but achievable goal. You must show development and regular progress towards this goal.
It will take you at least 6 months/26 weeks to achieve your Bronze Award. You cannot complete your Bronze in less than 6 months. You can start your Bronze in the school year you turn 14.
- Volunteering: 3 months/13 weeks
- Physical: 3 months/13 weeks
- Skills: 3 months/13 weeks
- Expedition: 2 days/1 night
You also have to spend an extra 3 months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections. It’s your choice which one to work on for 6 months and you should decide before you start. You can change your mind later if you want.
Knowing how long you’re doing each section for will help you choose your activity and set your goals.
It will take you at least 6 months/26 weeks for Silver if you’ve already achieved your Bronze. If you jump straight into Silver, it will take at least 12 months/52 weeks. You cannot achieve your Silver Award in less than 6 months. You can start your Silver in the school year you turn 15.
- Volunteering: 6 months/26 weeks
- Physical and Skills: One section for 6 months/26 weeks and the other section for 3 months/13 weeks
- Expedition: 3 days/2 nights
If you did not do Bronze, you need to do an extra 6 months of either Volunteering, or the longer of the Physical or Skills section. This means your longest section will take you 12 months/52 weeks.
It will take you at least 12 months/52 weeks for Gold if you’ve already achieved your Silver. If you have not done your Silver, even if you did Bronze, it will take at least 18 months/78 weeks. You can start your Gold after turning 16 years old.
The big difference at Gold is you will also do a Residential section with people you do not know.
- Volunteering: 12 months/52 weeks
- Physical and Skills: One section for 12 months/52 weeks and the other section for 6 months/26 weeks
- Expedition: 4 days/3 nights
- Residential: Do a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights
If you did not do Silver, you need to do an extra 6 months of either Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills section. This means your longest section will take you 18 months/78 weeks.
