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manages CREST

Gold Award

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Typical ages 16+

Timer

Typically 70 hrs to complete

Poundsign

£30 UK; £40 International

Awaken your students’ potential with a long-term, open-ended project ideal for enhancing their UCAS applications. Gold Awards are longer projects that immerse students in real research. At this level, we recommend students work with a mentor from their chosen STEM field of study.

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How to run

Plan

Browse the free resources in our Resource Library for Gold project ideas.

Alternatively, students can create and design their own Gold projects. Familiarise your students with the CREST criteria for Gold so they know what to aim for.

Complete

Students complete their Gold projects before submission. Create a free account on our application platform to submit projects.

Upload the Gold project work alongside a profile form of each student.

Assess

Students must meet at least 11 of the 15 Gold CREST criteria to earn a Gold CREST Award.

A CREST assessor evaluates each Gold project. The application fee must be paid before assessment.

Achieve!

Celebrate the success of your students as they achieve their Gold CREST Awards.

Share your experience with us - email us, tell us in the survey, or tag us in your posts. Let's spread the joy and inspire others with your students' success!

  • Plan

    Browse the free resources in our Resource Library for Gold project ideas.

    Alternatively, students can create and design their own Gold projects. Familiarise your students with the CREST criteria for Gold so they know what to aim for.

  • Complete

    Students complete their Gold projects before submission. Create a free account on our application platform to submit projects.

    Upload the Gold project work alongside a profile form of each student.

  • Assess

    Students must meet at least 11 of the 15 Gold CREST criteria to earn a Gold CREST Award.

    A CREST assessor evaluates each Gold project. The application fee must be paid before assessment.

  • Achieve!

    Celebrate the success of your students as they achieve their Gold CREST Awards.

    Share your experience with us - email us, tell us in the survey, or tag us in your posts. Let's spread the joy and inspire others with your students' success!

Free Gold resources

Fees and funding

The Gold CREST Award costs £30 per student in the UK. While we want all young people to participate, we recognise that costs can be a barrier for some schools. UK schools in challenging circumstances, especially those with many underrepresented students in STEM, can apply for funding to help run CREST.

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Apply for a Gold Award

Are your students ready to take on a real STEM challenge?
Encourage them to apply for the CREST Gold Award, where they’ll design and lead their own in-depth STEM project. Whether they’re preparing for university, a STEM career, or simply want to challenge themselves, the Gold Award is a powerful way to showcase their abilities and commitment.

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We are here to help

Find answers to your questions quickly and easily with our Help Centre Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Whether you're just getting started with CREST Awards or looking for specific details on projects, resources, or submission guidelines, our comprehensive FAQs has you covered.

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