Gap Year
Taking a gap year before going to university or college, during the course or even at the end of the course before going into work or further education, can give a student time to do something that is different ant help them to gain new experiences and skills before starting work or returning to studying.
During a gap year students can get involved in a variety of activities from working in the UK or travelling abroad, work experience or volunteering. It may be just the chance to allow them to earn money to help fund their further education studies.
Many universities and colleges will allow students to defer their place on a course they have been accepted on until the following year, but it will need to be stated on the UCAS application that this is something that the student wishes to do.
If you have planned what the gap year will involve then it is advisable to add this to the personal statement of the application through UCAS. Alternatively you can wait and apply after the gap year instead, however the support you get from the school/academy/sixth form or college may not be as readily available.
If the gap year is well thought out and planned, then admissions tutors are likely to look upon it with favour as they will appreciate the new skills and experiences that the student will gain from the experience. That said universities or colleges do not have to offer a deferred place with their university/college. First check with your chosen university/college and see what their thoughts are on the matter first.
If a student decides to take a gap year and defer the application place it is important that they are given a way to get in contact with them. This is in case they want the student to attend an interview, or make decisions or respond to offers. This is more important if you are planning to travel.
The following websites provide some information, advice and guidance on taking a gap year:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Gain hands on experience and skills that employer will value | If unsure of what to do, a gap year may just be a delay strategy. Unless you have a plan you could end the year no closer to a plan. |
| Shows good planning and organisational skills | It may be difficult to get back into studying/working life. |
| Allows time for extra research if not sure of the course or even if Higher Education is the right route. | If your skills are based on technology/computers etc, your skills and knowledge may be out of date - unless you involve yourself in the updates while away. |
| Helps to improve confidence, broaden the mind and meet new people. | It may be difficult to find a job during the gap year that will be of interest. |
| Helps to improve confidence, broaden the mind and meet new people. | It may be difficult to find a job during the gap year that will be of interest. |
| Experience different cultures and nationalities, and may help to improve foreign language skills. | Could end up with less money due to the cost of travelling. |
| Provides a break from academic study. | Not all colleges/universities will accept a defer place on their course for the following year. |
| Allows time to strengthen the application form. | |
| Provide the opportunity for paid employment, or voluntary work experience to improve employability skills. | |
| Improve finances by having time to work and save money. |
What to do?
No matter what your decision is, the university/college admissions tutors will expect you have to a plan, as will future employers. What do you plan to achieve during the gap year. The following are the popular options for taking a gap year.
- Get paid work
- Opportunity to gain work experience or go on an internship
- Voluntary work (home or abroad)
- Travel
- Study
Whatever you decide to do, ensure that you check all the details before making the final decision. Remember that most Gap Year cost money. Also ensure that the experience or activity that is being offered needs to be something that will actually be of worth to you, both in time and money. Talk to people that have done similar activities and find out what they got out of the experience. Would they recommend it?
Paid Work
If you are able to get a job it could give you the opportunity to save for the Higher Education course or it can even provide the opportunity to provide the finance to allow you to travel during the gap year.
The availability of employment, especially in the current economic climate, vary. There could be short term casual vacancies, or even seasonal vacancies working with large employers who may have specially formulated schemes for hiring students.
Working abroad has also become a popular choice, there are opportunities such as au pairing, teaching English or working at a summer camp. These may be of more interest if education is the career path that is being worked towards.
There is also the chance to obtain paid work experience in areas that may be of interest—for example the Year in Industry Scheme offers the chance for students to get paid placements in engineering, science, IT, e-commerce, business, marketing, finance and logistics.
Work Experience/Internships
This involves working in a real work place, and working with other employees and learning about the job and the tasks involved within a specific business. This is a way for students to find out more about an area of work they are interested in and to gain necessary skills to help make them more attractive to employers later.
An internship is another form of work experience, but usually involves graduates or students within Higher Education. The placements are usually unpaid, although expenses and travel costs may be reimbursed. A lot of the time these are organised through the school/academy/sixth form or college, they can also be arranged by the student themselves. The placement don’t needed to necessarily be within the UK, they can be placements in another country too.
If this is something a student is interested in, it is advisable that students try to contact employers within the areas of work they are interested in working within. It is best to advice them well in advance of the start of your planned gap year, as places they have will be taken quickly.
The following websites are helpful in finding work experience:
- www.prospects.ac.uk/work_experience.htm
- www.gov.uk/moving-from-benefits-to-work/work-experience-and-volunteering
- www.concordiavolunteers.org.uk
Voluntary Work
This is a great way to help others while gaining valuable skills and experience at the same time, it also looks great on a cv as they are often recognised and respected by most employers, colleges and universities. Many organisations where volunteering is possible even provide the opportunity for volunteers to obtain an award or certificate too.
Volunteering can also lead to the opportunity to travel abroad, however these schemes may cost money, i.e. the fee to travel. Make sure that you check out the organisation in more detail and know exactly what is expected.
Student reviews area great way find out what is good and what is best to avoid, websites such as ww2.gapyearreview.co.uk provides information on projects that are run well, offer good valued and actually help people to gain the skills and valuable experience. Also Google is a great way of checking on organisations and learning more about them.
Below are a list of websites that provide helpful advice and guidance on volunteering within the UK and abroad.
Travel
Many students decide to take a gap year in order to travel abroad and gain experience of different languages and cultures. Some even combine travel with work, whether paid or voluntary.
If this is something that a student is interested in, it is recommended that they obtain an international student card (ISIC) which will help to reduce costs, and get discounts of travel packages.
Study
A gap year can also be used to improve study skills of students and help to improve future prospects, an example could be improving computer skills or obtaining a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).
Students may decide to look into their hobbies or interests rather than link their gap year to their career choice, for example they may decide to paint, act, or perform.
Some students may take the year to improve their subjects they didn’t feel they did as well as they should have. This may be done if they want to improve the chance of going to their chosen university. Remember that not guaranteed they will improve, and some universities have a policy of not accepting retakes.