The RSA invented the modern exam in the 19th century. Today, we are championing a 21st-century innovation: digital badges and credentials – online symbols that you can show what you have learned that make all learning achievements visible.
A digital badge is a small, visual symbol that shows someone has gained a skill, completed a course or achieved something of value. It might look like a simple image or icon, but it carries detailed information – called metadata – that explains who awarded the badge, what the person had to do to earn it and when they earned it, and sometimes includes links to evidence such as a project, assessment or certificate.
Badges are not just tokens of participation – they are verified, shareable records of achievement. They can represent learning from formal education, short online courses, workplace training, volunteering or personal development.
Digital badges can be seen and shared online, on CVs, LinkedIn profiles, email signatures or digital portfolios, making them useful for those who want to understand someone’s capabilities, knowledge, skills and experience at a glance.
If you are new to digital badging, please read the guidance developed with the Digital Badging Commission, on what a badge is, how to write and issue one and the ways in which they can be used.
The RSA Badge Standard helps badge earners to understand the context of the learning they have obtained.
By incorporating one of the levels of the standard into a badge when writing it, the standard can be seen by all those viewing the badge, providing a simple way to evaluate its relevance.
The RSA Badge Standard has five layers, each recognising a different mode of learning and providing a clear progression of skills, ensuring badges are relevant to learners, educators and employers alike. You can reference these layers on their own, or alongside other frameworks, when writing your badge. The layers are:
For foundational skills or introductory achievements. Reflects initial exposure to a subject or skill (e.g. teamwork, digital literacy). Encourages engagement and exploration without requiring extensive prior knowledge.
Completing an introductory coding workshop; attending a seminar on sustainability; finishing a beginner-level online course; participating in a taster activity, such as creating a simple project in a club or community workshop.
Proof of participation e.g. attendance certificates, workshop logs; completion of introductory modules or quizzes; and examples of reflective tasks e.g. a brief write-up about the experience.
For demonstrated application of skills in practical settings. Aligns with the growing emphasis on portfolio-based evidence for education and employment. Recognises projects, tasks, or activities showcasing competence in specific areas.
Building and presenting a working model or prototype, e.g. crafting a piece of functional furniture; writing and sharing a short story, essay or blog post; completing an intermediate-level challenge, such as creating a budget or analysing data.
Submission of completed practical tasks or projects; supervisor or mentor validation for practical work; feedback from peers, tutors or evaluators.
Highlights teamwork, collaboration and multi-disciplinary contributions. Addresses the growing demand for interpersonal and collaborative skills in both education and industry. Awarded for achievements requiring cooperation with others, such as group projects, mentoring or cross-functional teamwork.
Co-leading initiatives or mentoring peers in a range of activities or sectors.
Documentation of teamwork, e.g. group project logs, shared presentations; feedback from peers or supervisors about collaborative contributions; video or written reflections on the collaborative process
For advanced application and integration of skills. Provides a bridge to industry-recognised credentials. Encourages innovative thinking and demonstrates the ability to apply skills in unique and impactful ways. Awarded for designing new solutions, improving existing processes, or creating original works with practical impact.
Conducting a small-scale research project and presenting findings; producing a professional-quality portfolio; prototyping new tools, implementing process improvements, or producing creative outputs or campaign plans; leading a student team to organise and execute a local community event.
Requires evidence of expertise and innovation with external validation, e.g. from mentors or organisations; portfolio demonstrating advanced work; evidence of complex problem-solving or analysis.
Highlights strategic planning, execution and impact on broader organisational or community objectives. Focuses on measurable leadership and management achievements, providing value to individuals and organisations. Awarded for leading initiatives, managing resources, or making decisions with significant outcomes.
Leading a departmental project, launching a new programme, or developing a strategic plan.
Detailed plans or reports outlining strategies and their outcomes; metrics demonstrating impact, e.g. increased efficiency, cost savings, or improved engagement; validation from senior stakeholders, organisations or accrediting bodies.
We want to work with partners across various sectors and institutions to achieve the ambition of endorsing non-formal and unaccredited learning, including:
The RSA can endorse your learning and your digital badges to provide a level of trust in the content and learning experience you’re delivering.
