The CREST Award is a project-based science enrichment programme run by the British Science Association for secondary school pupils. Students design and carry out their own investigations at Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum level, earning a nationally recognised certificate that sits alongside their GCSEs or A-levels.
What is the CREST Award and who runs it?
The CREST Award has been running since 1986 and is delivered by the British Science Association (BSA), a registered charity dedicated to advancing the public understanding of science and engineering. CREST is the BSA's main programme for young people in secondary education and stands for Creativity in Research, Engineering, Science, and Technology.
Unlike a GCSE or A-level, the CREST Award is not a regulated qualification on the National Qualifications Framework. It is a nationally recognised enrichment accreditation — a certificate that schools, sixth form colleges, universities, and employers recognise as evidence of independent scientific inquiry beyond the standard curriculum.
What are the different CREST award levels?
CREST awards are structured in four levels, each requiring a minimum time commitment and broadly corresponding to a stage of secondary education:
| Level | Minimum hours | Typical year group | Nature of project |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 10 hours | Year 7–9 (KS3) | Structured challenge with teacher guidance; follows a set brief |
| Silver | 30 hours | Year 10–11 (GCSE) | Student-led investigation; student chooses the question and designs the method |
| Gold | 70 hours | Year 12–13 (A-level) | In-depth research project; often linked to a university or industry partner |
| Platinum | 200 hours | Year 12–13 or university | Research-level investigation; formal write-up to a high academic standard |
A Discovery level (5 hours) is available for younger secondary pupils or primary school leavers transitioning into Year 7, providing an accessible introduction to scientific investigation.
Bronze awards are typically delivered as a class or school club activity, often as part of a science club or STEM afternoon. Silver and Gold require substantially more independent work and are self-initiated by the student, though teachers register and assess them.
What does a Silver CREST Award involve?
Silver is the level most relevant to GCSE-age students and is where independent investigation becomes the central requirement.
To complete a Silver award, a student must:
- Identify a question they want to investigate — this must be a genuine question, not a repeat of a textbook experiment. Examples include investigating how microplastics affect seed germination, whether certain music tempos improve memorisation, or how different soil compositions affect plant growth rates.
- Plan and carry out the investigation — designing the method, choosing variables, recording data, and considering safety and ethics
- Analyse the results — using appropriate statistical methods or reasoning to draw conclusions
- Produce a report or presentation — documenting the process, findings, and reflections on what could be improved
The work is assessed by the student's supervising teacher against the BSA's criteria, then submitted to the BSA online for verification and certification. The teacher does not need specialist training to supervise a CREST project, though BSA provides resources and guidance.
How does a CREST Award support GCSE science?
A CREST Award is not directly assessed by the exam board and does not contribute marks to a student's GCSE grade. However, completing one develops skills that benefit GCSE performance:
- Required practicals — GCSE science examinations test students' understanding of experimental design, variables, data analysis, and evaluation. A CREST project develops exactly these skills in a more open-ended and personally meaningful context.
- Extended writing — the project report requires the kind of analytical, structured scientific writing that appears in longer-mark exam questions.
- Confidence in scientific thinking — students who have designed and run their own investigation tend to approach unfamiliar practical scenarios in the exam with more confidence.
At A-level, a Gold CREST Award is viewed very favourably by universities for science and engineering degree applications, demonstrating sustained independent inquiry beyond what the curriculum requires.
What does a CREST Award look like on a CV or UCAS application?
A CREST Award — particularly at Silver or above — is a genuine differentiator for students applying to competitive sixth forms, universities, or apprenticeships in STEM fields.
On a UCAS personal statement, students often cite their CREST project as evidence of genuine scientific curiosity: the ability to formulate a question, design an investigation, and draw conclusions from data. Admissions tutors at competitive science degree programmes look favourably on independent project work that goes beyond the school curriculum.
For GCSE students applying to sixth form or college, a Silver CREST Award demonstrates initiative and is particularly useful for students applying to specialist science courses or STEM-focused institutions.
How does a school register to offer CREST Awards?
Any school or youth organisation can register to offer CREST Awards through the BSA's online platform. Registration is free, and the BSA provides teachers with:
- A downloadable project guide and assessment criteria for each level
- An online portal for submitting student work for verification
- Connections to local STEM Ambassador volunteers who can support students with their projects
The main costs are the certificate fees charged by the BSA at the point of submission, typically a few pounds per student. Some schools absorb this cost; others ask families to contribute. There is also a small registration fee for the organisation.
Frequently asked questions
Can a student do a CREST Award without their school being involved?
Yes — home-educated students and those whose schools do not run CREST can register as individual or group participants through the BSA. They still need a supervising adult to assess and submit their work, but that person does not need to be a qualified teacher.
Is the CREST Award specifically for science, or can other STEM subjects count?
Projects in technology, engineering, and mathematics — as well as science — are all eligible for CREST accreditation. A project designing and testing a prototype bridge, building a computer program to solve a real-world problem, or analysing a mathematical model of traffic flow would all qualify. The key is that the project involves original investigation and the application of STEM thinking.
How long does the Silver award actually take?
The 30-hour minimum is a guideline, and most meaningful projects take longer — particularly if the student is designing a careful experiment and analysing real data. Many students complete their Silver over the course of a term or half-term, fitting sessions into lunchtime science club or free periods. There is no formal deadline, and students can complete it at their own pace.
Does every school offer CREST Awards?
No. Whether CREST is available depends entirely on whether a teacher or science lead at the school has registered to run it. Parents interested in CREST Awards for their child can ask the science department whether the school is registered, and if not, suggest that it registers — the process is straightforward.
For structured GCSE science revision and support with scientific writing and required practicals, visit aitutors.me.