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CREST Awards Explained: A Complete Guide for UK Students
What CREST Awards are, how they work, and whether they are worth doing for secondary school students in the UK.
9 Apr 20263 min read
CREST Awards Explained: A Complete Guide for UK Students
Slug: crest-awards-explained
Subtitle: What CREST Awards are, how they work, and whether they are worth doing for secondary school students in the UK.
What Are CREST Awards?
The CREST Awards are a UK-based STEM programme that recognises students for completing independent science, technology, engineering, or maths (STEM) projects.
They are organised by the British Science Association and are widely used in UK schools.
Unlike many competitions, CREST is:
- project-based
- flexible in format
- focused on investigation and problem solving
How CREST Awards Work
CREST is not a single competition. It is a framework of awards based on project work.
Students complete a STEM project and receive an award based on:
- level of difficulty
- time spent
- depth of investigation
CREST Award Levels
There are four main levels:
Bronze
- typically around 10 hours of work
- suitable for early secondary school students
- often completed in small groups
Silver
- around 30 hours
- requires more independent work
- involves planning and evaluation
Gold
- around 70+ hours
- in-depth independent research project
- usually completed individually
👉 Gold is the most advanced and is often compared to extended project work.
Discovery
- shorter, introductory level
- often completed in classrooms or workshops
What Do Students Actually Do?
CREST projects can vary widely.
Examples include:
- designing an experiment
- investigating a scientific question
- building a prototype
- analysing data
- solving a real-world problem
There is no fixed topic list — students choose their own project.
Assessment and Certification
Projects are assessed based on:
- planning and research
- problem-solving approach
- evaluation of results
- communication of findings
Students receive:
- a certificate
- official recognition from the British Science Association
Is CREST a Competition?
Not in the traditional sense.
CREST is:
- not ranked
- not exam-based
- not limited to top scorers
👉 It is a participation-based award system, not a selective competition.
Why Schools Use CREST
CREST is widely used because it:
- fits into school STEM programmes
- encourages independent learning
- supports project-based education
- is flexible across age groups
Many schools integrate CREST into:
- science clubs
- classroom projects
- enrichment activities
Is CREST Useful for University Applications?
CREST is not a requirement for university applications.
However, it can be useful in specific ways.
It shows:
- independent research ability
- interest in STEM subjects
- ability to complete long-term projects
Especially relevant for:
- science
- engineering
- medicine-related interests
How CREST Compares to Competitions
| Feature | CREST Awards | Olympiad Competitions |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Project-based | Exam-based |
| Entry | Through school/project | Through school or centre |
| Selection | Open participation | Selective |
| Focus | Research & investigation | Problem solving |
👉 CREST focuses on doing and exploring, not just solving problems.
Who Should Do CREST?
CREST is most suitable for students who:
- enjoy hands-on science
- like project-based learning
- want to explore ideas in depth
- prefer research over exams
Key Takeaways
- CREST Awards are project-based STEM awards, not traditional competitions
- Students complete independent projects to earn certification
- There are multiple levels from beginner to advanced
- CREST supports research, investigation, and real-world problem solving
Explore More STEM Competitions
To explore STEM competitions and programmes across the UK and Ireland:
CompeteMap listing
For the current eligibility, dates and official links, see the corresponding CompeteMap listing:
EXPLORE NEXT
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