Liverpool Hope has been certified as an awarding body for The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Gold Award – making it the only University in Liverpool to be named as a Directly Licensed Centre.
All first year students will be able to sign up to complete the Gold Award while at Hope, with the programme tying in with the University’s Service and Leadership Award.
Professor Simon Piasecki, who will act as Award Manager for Liverpool Hope, described the DofE award as the “ideal enhancement opportunity” for students.
He said: “The current offerings we have at Hope means the DofE programme works in complete harmony with students’ academic studies.
“We are thrilled to have become a Directly Licensed Centre, and I believe bringing the DofE to Liverpool Hope shows our commitment to the student experience.”
The University is uniquely placed to offer the DofE award due to its outdoor education centre Plas Caerdeon, which will provide a base for the expedition portion of the programme.
Liverpool Hope is committed to educating students in the round, so they not only achieve academic excellence, but are also prepared to make a difference in the world. The DofE Award’s volunteering aspect complements the University’s vision for social justice and will allow students to gain a wealth of life experience alongside their studies.
Operations Officer for the DofE Paul Riding said: “The DofE award is more popular than ever and continues to help young people stand out from the crowd in the job market.
“Liverpool Hope’s SALA initiative, Global Hope programme and unique facility at Plas Caerdeon, means the University is all geared towards providing the Award.”