.svg)
University applications aren't just about grades.
Of course, academic achievement matters. But universities also want to understand what interests you, what you've learned outside the classroom and the skills and experiences you can bring with you to higher education.
That's where The Leap's International Volunteering Diploma comes in.
Combining an overseas volunteering experience with structured academic learning, the Diploma gives students the opportunity to gain a Level 3 qualification worth 16 UCAS Tariff points, while developing skills and experiences they can draw on in their UCAS application, CV and future career.
And there's an important distinction.
If you need the extra UCAS points, the Diploma could give you 16 of them.
If you don't need the points, the experience and learning behind the qualification can still give you plenty to talk about in your UCAS application.
The International Volunteering Diploma is a unique collaboration between The Leap and the Centre for Global Citizenship Studies (CGCS), designed to turn an overseas volunteering expedition into a structured learning experience with formal academic recognition.
It is a Level 3 qualification, accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN) and aligned with the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
The Diploma consists of five modules, completed before, during and after the Kenya expedition. Students explore culture and responsible volunteering, what makes an effective volunteer and the principles of global citizenship, before putting their learning into practice and reflecting on their experience when they return.
So you're not simply going on a trip and coming home with some great memories.
You're learning, applying that learning, reflecting on your experience and gaining a recognised qualification along the way.
The International Volunteering Diploma carries 16 UCAS Tariff points.
For students whose university or course uses UCAS Tariff points as part of its entry requirements, those additional points can be a valuable addition to their academic profile.
Of course, universities and courses differ in how they use UCAS Tariff points and which qualifications they accept, so it's important to check the specific requirements for the courses you're considering.
But what if you already have the grades you need?
That's where the Diploma becomes particularly interesting.
If you're academically strong and your predicted grades already meet the requirements for your chosen universities, you might be wondering:
"So what's the point of gaining another qualification?"
The answer is the evidence.
A strong university application isn't simply a list of everything you've done. It's about being able to demonstrate your interests, your skills, your development and what you've learned from your experiences.
And that's something the International Volunteering Diploma is specifically designed to help you do.
Because there's a big difference between saying:
"I volunteered in Kenya and developed my communication skills."
and being able to explain:
"During my volunteering placement in Kenya, I had to adapt the way I communicated and work collaboratively with people from a different cultural background. The experience challenged my assumptions and taught me to listen more carefully and consider different perspectives."
The second tells a university much more about you.
It provides evidence.
And that is where your Leap experience can become a really valuable part of your super-curricular profile.
The Diploma gives you plenty of opportunities to develop and demonstrate skills that are valuable far beyond the classroom.
One of the Diploma's modules focuses specifically on global citizenship.
You'll explore what it means to be a global citizen and consider your responsibilities when volunteering in another country.
This can give you something meaningful to talk about if you're interested in subjects involving global issues, sustainability, culture, communities or social responsibility.
But even if you're applying for a completely different subject, it demonstrates something important: your willingness to look beyond your own experience, question your assumptions and consider different perspectives.
Working in an unfamiliar environment means communicating with people you may not normally encounter.
You may need to listen carefully, explain yourself differently, ask questions, share responsibility or work through challenges as part of a team.
Rather than simply claiming:
"I have excellent communication and teamwork skills."
You can give a genuine example of when you developed and used them.
Being away from home and working in a completely different environment can challenge you.
Things don't always go according to plan. You may find yourself outside your comfort zone or faced with something you've never experienced before.
Those moments can teach you a lot about how you respond to challenges, how you adapt and how you find solutions.
And that's far more meaningful than simply describing yourself as "resilient" on an application.
This is one of the most important parts of the Diploma.
The final module asks you to reflect and evaluate what you learned and experienced in Kenya.
Because having an experience is one thing.
Understanding what it taught you is another.
Reflection allows you to think about what surprised you, what challenged you, how your perspective changed and what you would do differently in the future.
That's what turns an experience into something you can genuinely learn from, and something you can talk about with confidence in a university application or interview.
The International Volunteering Diploma is a natural fit for students joining The Leap's Under 18 Kenya programme, giving school-age students the opportunity to combine an unforgettable international volunteering experience with a recognised Level 3 qualification and 16 UCAS points.
But it's not just for Under 18 Leapers. We've also had Gap Year students complete the Diploma alongside their Leap experience in Cambodia, Costa Rica and Kenya, using the qualification to strengthen their CV, develop transferable skills and give greater substance to the experiences they're gaining during their gap year.
Whether you're looking to boost your UCAS points, strengthen a university application or add a recognised qualification to your CV, the Diploma gives you another way to turn your Leap experience into something that lasts well beyond the trip.
Whether you're looking for an under 18's summer adventure, planning a gap year or want to find out more about how a Leap could fit into your plans, we're here to help.
Book a 121 with Zoë, join one of our upcoming webinars, or start browsing our Leaps and see where your adventure could take you.
Book a 121 with Zoë →
Join a webinar →
Browse Under 18 Leaps →
Browse Gap Year Leaps →
Open to under 18 students from schools across the UK, this adventure offers the perfect mix of fun, friendship, and impact. Work together as a team on vital marine conservation and community projects in the stunning coastal region of Kuruwitu. From regenerating coral reefs to building sustainable gardens, your efforts will help protect ecosystems and empower local communities.
From the savannahs of the Maasai Mara to the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Kenya is a land of breathtaking beauty, rich culture, and impactful conservation work. Our 4-week programme combines wildlife conservation, community engagement, and adventure, giving you the chance to experience Kenya in a way that few travellers do.
