Taking a Gap Year
Instead of continuing with your studies straight away you may decide to take a year out. Most universities and courses view taking a gap year as a positive thing as long as you have planned it carefully.
- You can apply through UCAS in the final year of your studies at college and select to defer your place for a year but make sure you check with the courses you are applying to that they accept deferred entry.
- Or you could wait to apply after you have received your results during your gap year.
- There can be good reasons for taking a gap year such as needing to gain more experience before applying for certain courses such as those in health care professions.
- You may decide to do a combination of things including work experience, travel abroad, doing voluntary work, doing paid work to save for your time at university, taking a part time course – all great for your CV in the future.
- When writing your personal statement make sure you include your gap year plans and say how they will benefit you in the future.
- If you made a UCAS application but didn’t choose to defer your place and then decide to do a gap year, you will need to contact the university to ask if they will give you permission.
- There are many gap year organisations to help you generate some ideas about what to do including: