A Decade of Work Pays Off: Aspiring Doctor Earns Gold D of E

UW Nathan Scott

22-year-old Nathan Scott, first year medical student at the ¹ú²úÊÓÆµ, received his Award from His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh himself.

Recipients of the Gold Award must have completed 12 months of volunteering, spent months developing a skill and improving their physical fitness, undertaken a multi-day expedition and take part in a 5-day residential experience with people they’ve never met before.

Nathan said: “I began the DofE Bronze Award when I was 12, and I had to take a break from the Gold Award because of the pandemic, so I’ve been on this journey for ten years.”

As part of the Award, Nathan worked on inland waterways, helped a band record music, and even volunteered in a hospital on a trauma ward.

He said: “The volunteering was really good. I go to hospitals for my placements as part of my degree in Medicine, but this gave me the chance to see the wards as a volunteer, which is a totally different perspective.”

Widely regarded as one of the UK’s most prestigious achievements for young people, the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an incredible achievement that reflects a person’s dedication, resilience, and commitment to personal growth.

Nathan said: “It’s great for a person’s CV, but I’m really happy that I decided to complete the Award after I’d already gotten into medical school. I’m proud that I just did it because I really enjoyed doing it.”

He added: “I was really proud to be able to go to Buckingham Palace because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event, and to be able to say you’ve had afternoon tea at a garden party there is amazing!”

Professor Kay Mohanna, Lead Lecturer in Medicine at the University, said: “We are absolutely delighted to read of Nathan’s success with his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.”

She added: “We already know that Nathan is on track to be an excellent doctor, and this achievement shows how lucky we all are to have such a committed and talented person training to be a part of our next generation in the NHS.”

For information on courses at the ¹ú²úÊÓÆµ visit or for application enquiries, telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk