Taking a gap year

What is it?

Many students consider having a year off before entering full-time higher education. Some may take a year off after their courses and increasing numbers of older adults are taking time out of their established career with the support of their employers.

A year out can be spent in different ways, such as

voluntary service - paid or unpaid
work camps - in the UK or abroad
summer (and winter) jobs - home or abroad
adventure holidays
temporary, short-term or long-term jobs
study courses - here or abroad
au pair work
travel, expeditions
working holidays

Suitable for you?

Whether it's right for you will depend on the type of person you are. If the time out is before a course of study, contact the institutions you wish to apply to early, to find out what their view is. They are more likely to encourage you if you have good plans for the use of your time. Most colleges and universities may accept you for a course but defer entry for a year, allowing you to make sure of your place before taking your year out.

Pros and Cons

You may be able to do some work or live in another country, which will prepare you for your course or give you an insight into its application.
You may be more motivated towards your studies or your full time job.
You create an opportunity for wider experience of life and travel.
You should be more mature and therefore likely to get more out of your course or job.
You may be able to avoid the staleness that some people experience after several years of study or working life.
You may go off the boil academically - a particular danger in mathematical or science related studies.
You may find disciplined study difficult after a year away from academic work.
You may find it difficult to obtain suitable and rewarding work during your year off.
You may find yourself drifting about unless you have definite plans in mind.

For further information, visit our list of useful Gap Year websites.