The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is the world’s leading youth achievement award, operating in over 130 countries and territories around the globe. DBS is proud to be providing this internationally recognised award, helping to support our vision once again of nurturing global leaders through our 4 DBS pillars:

1. An Enhanced British Curriculum
2. Academic Excellence for All
3. Entrepreneurship and Creative Thinking
4. Community and Global Perspectives

Impacts and Benefits

Now, more than ever, we need a framework to equip young people for life in this ever-evolving world. As a result of participating in the Award programme, young people will demonstrate gains or greater proficiency in these areas.

Outcomes for young people:

• Confidence
• Independence
• Ability to manage feelings
• Resilience and determination
• Building relationships and leadership
• Creativity and adaptability
• Planning and problem-solving
• Community and Global perspectives
• Personal and social well-being
• Communication

Who can take part in the Award?

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is available to all young people aged 14 to 24 (Y9 upwards). It is voluntary, non-competitive, enjoyable, and requires sustained effort over time. The Award encourages young people to challenge themselves through a series of expeditions and projects. Young people from all over the world participate in this well-renowned award, and universities and future employers value it highly.

What is involved?

The Award framework consists of four sections and three age-appropriate levels. Participants must complete all four sections at each level in order to achieve their Award. At Gold level, participants also complete a Residential Project.

• Bronze Award for those over 14 years old
• Silver Award for those over 15 years old
• Gold Award for those over 16 years old

The four main sections of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award are:

• Skill section – This section requires young people to learn a new life skill. There are hundreds of different activities that young people can choose from. Popular choices include music, art, drama, cooking, debating, learning to drive and sign language.
• Service section – This section requires young people to spend at least one hour per week doing voluntary work. This gives young people the opportunity to get out into their communities and give something back.
• Physical Recreation section – This section requires young people to spend at least one hour per week of their own time engaging in physical recreation. It can be any form of activity and can be individual or in a team and in a competitive or non competitive environment.
• Adventurous Journey section – Through this section, young people discover a spirit of adventure and gain a deeper understanding of the environment and the great outdoors. They learn navigational, teamwork and survival skills.

Skill, Service and Physical Sections can be done either 1 hour a week, 2 hours every 2 weeks or 4 hours every month. The Award board requires to see a regular pattern, as this indicates a high level of routine and engagement from the students.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award equips young people for life and work. 

• To find our more visit: IntAward.org

• For more details about the IA programme here at DBS, please contact our Award Coordinator Miss Parker – parker.k@dbsbangkok.ac.th