The Social Impact Diploma
Real service in your own community, in a slot that suits your school.
Awarded as the Level 3 Diploma in Social Impact and Community Engagement.
Explore the Social Impact Diploma
An accredited service-learning programme
Get students out making a positive impact. Then make it count academically.
An Ofqual-regulated Level 3 diploma that runs as a CCA, an after-school club or around a trip. We provide the course, the training and the marking.
- CGCS
- Ofqual Regulated
- NOCN Approved Centre
Recognised worldwide
Built for university applications worldwide.
An accredited Level 3 qualification students list on applications anywhere, with their qualifications, not buried in an activity list. Marked work backs up every claim.
What it gives every student
A qualification, not an activity
Listed with their qualifications and awards, on any application.
Marked work behind every claim
A project plan, fieldwork evidence and a reflective capstone, marked by CGCS and awarded through NOCN.
Something real to say
For personal statements, essays and interviews: what they did, what changed, what they'd do next.
How it counts, wherever they apply
- United States9 semester credits*
- Through our US School of Record, Hartwick College. Plus sustained, evidenced service for the application.
- EuropeEQF Level 4
- UK Level 3 sits at Level 4 on the European framework. About 20–21 ECTS credits*.
- CanadaEvidence for profiles
- Where a university asks for a personal profile or supplementary essays, students have marked work to draw on.
- Australia and New ZealandService, on record
- Where entry schemes look at service, leadership or co-curricular work, it's a regulated qualification, not just hours.
- AsiaBeyond the grades
- Where admissions look past scores, students show a qualification and marked work that others with the same grades don't have.
- United Kingdom16 UCAS points
- The same as an AS-Level at grade B (half an A-Level), on the UCAS application.
Wherever students apply, it reads as a regulated qualification with marked work behind it.
*Indicative. Each university decides how it recognises qualifications and credit.
How it slots in
One teacher. One hour a week. We do the rest.
Wrap it around what you already run: CAS, a service programme or outdoor education. No specialist, no new syllabus, no marking, and no extra workload for your staff.
Your school brings
- A slot you already timetable
- About 26 hours of guided study in total
- A staff lead, or one of our facilitators
- A room and a screen
- Students aged 14 and over
CGCS brings everything else
- The full course, lesson plans and resources
- Student logins to our online learning platform
- Free 3-hour CPD for your staff lead, or a CGCS facilitator
- Support to plan a real local service project
- All marking, moderation and assessment
- Certificates issued through NOCN, the awarding body
- A launch kit for students and parents
- An invitation to our awards ceremony
No marking for your staff. No curriculum to write. No setup fee.
Runs wherever it fits
In the school day
CCA slot
After school
ECA or club
Enrichment week
Activities block
Around a trip
Before and after
Over the holidays
Intensive block
Who runs the sessions
- Your teacher. Trained by us. No subject specialism needed.
- Our facilitator. If you'd rather we supplied one.
- No facilitator. Students work through the platform independently.
Recognition
A real qualification, not a certificate of participation.
Service learning can end up as something students just complete. The diploma turns it into learning they reflect on and carry forward, with evidence your school can show.
A NOCN Approved Centre
- Ofqual-regulated Level 3 diplomas
- Awarded through NOCN
- Recognised on applications worldwide
- OfqualRegulated
- Awarded through NOCN in the United Kingdom.
- 410Hours TQT
- Total Qualification Time across 41 UK credits.
- NoExams
- Portfolio-assessed throughout. The service is the curriculum.
- 2 yrsTo submit
- Students have up to two years after their project to complete.
| Credit system | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| UK, UCAS Tariff | 16 points | The same value as an AS-Level at grade B |
| US, college credit | 9 semester credits* | Through our US School of Record, Hartwick College |
| Europe, ECTS | 20–21 credits* | The European credit framework |
*Indicative equivalences, with an optional US transcript. Each university decides how it recognises credit.
Track record
- Around 2,000 learners in 2026
- Partners in 46+ countries
- Leadership & Advocacy Award, World Education Summit, Dubai 2026
- Study Abroad Provider of the Year, WYSTC Awards 2025
- Shortlisted, Educational Provider of the Year, WYSTC Awards 2024
- Educational Supplier of the Year, ASEAN 2026
- Shortlisted, QS Reimagine Education Awards 2026
Fits what you already do
- IB CAS
- Duke of Edinburgh
- Cambridge Global Perspectives
- Your existing service trips
“CGCS has brought real academic structure and depth to experiences we already valued. Students are not simply taking part — they are reflecting critically and producing thoughtful work.”
Who needs to say yes
One programme. A different reason for each person who signs off.
Tap your role to see what it means for you.
Are you a…
Head of school or principal
Does it cost us, add risk, or fit who we are?
- No cost to the school. Families pay USD 540 per student through the usual school bill.
- An Ofqual-regulated Level 3 diploma, awarded through NOCN. Something real to show families.
- Your own safeguarding policy covers every session and project. For trips, CGCS compares programmes from 46 providers for you.
- Ready one week after the first call. No minimum student numbers.
The diplomas
Two ways in. Do one or both.
The International Service Diploma
Our flagship diploma, with the fieldwork on a service trip abroad.
Awarded as the Level 3 Diploma in Global Citizenship, Service and Leadership (previously International Volunteering).
Explore the International Service DiplomaThe 5 Ms
How students grow
- 1Mindset
- 2Motivation
- 3Making It Happen
- 4Momentum
- 5Meaning
The service experience is the practice ground. The lasting value lies in the mindsets, capabilities and agency learners carry forward.
See how a year works