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Taking a gap year

Many students decide to take a gap year before they begin university. This can be a productive way to spend a year and is generally viewed as a positive experience by many universities and employers. However, you must use your year constructively in order to show it was worthwhile.

A gap year can offer a great opportunity to develop personal and employability skills or to get experience working in a job area of interest or to meet people from different cultures. Also, some people use their gap year to confirm what sort of job or career they are interested in before they choose their next step.

Most universities are happy with students taking a gap year although it is important to check this carefully in advance. For some courses it might not be wise to take a gap year due to the length of the course or the competition for places.

Productive gap years can however be very worthwhile by providing an opportunity to broaden your horizons, learn new things, challenge yourself and consider future career options. Undertaking charity work or gaining work experience in this country or abroad, or undertaking a project with one of the many gap year organisations may also help later on when applying for jobs.

Things to consider if you are thinking of taking a gap year

A gap year usually means taking a year out in between your studies
There are lots of things you could do on a gap year like travelling, working or volunteering.Some people apply and get a place at university and then ask for their place to be deferred so that they can have a gap year
There are companies which will help you plan your gap year, always be careful as there is often a financial cost involved. If you want the experience of a gap year to help you plan your future work or want to use it to show future employers evidence of your skills or independence, then try and make sure you balance the fun elements with developing useful skills for the future. Also, sell what you have learnt through the experience of a gap year in your applications for jobs and courses.

What you could do

Travel
Teach abroad
Volunteer to work on a project at home or abroad
Work in a paid position to save some money for university
Gain some unpaid work experience
Undertake further study or training

The pros and cons of taking a gap year

Pros

You may feel more energised and refreshed after a gap year, which could lead to you feeling more motivated towards your studies
You may have the chance to work or study in an area related to your course, which will help prepare you for your further studies
You may have the opportunity to travel, see new places and have new experiences
If you decide on paid work you can earn some money to help finance your degree
You could gain a sense of real personal achievement through your gap year activities
A year of more independent living can mean that you are more mature when you begin university
If you decide to work or volunteer you can gain new skills and develop existing ones

Cons

You may find it hard to settle back into your studies
You may not be able to discipline yourself for independent study when you return
It could be expensive, for example if you decide to travel or do unpaid work experience
Your friends may go off to university while you will be a year behind them
If you don’t spend it productively this could give employers a bad impression

Prepare yourself

If you want to take a gap year, you’ll need to decide what you want to do and then plan it carefully
When deciding what to do, make sure you understand your reasons for a gap year
Research the options so you make the right decisions – there are a lot of organisations which can give you gap year ideas and more information about what’s involved
Gap year organisations can be helpful, but you don’t have to use one. Make sure you shop around to find the best deal and the gap year that’s right for you
Set yourself goals, so you know what you want to accomplish in your year out
Plan your finances, so you don’t get into debt. Think about how much you need to earn and/or how much you will spend

A note on volunteering abroad

Do your research and select carefully. Although there are some good placement companies out there, a do-it-yourself placement is the most ethical form of volunteering as you work directly with the host organisation.

It is going to cost you a lot less and you also have the assurance that any money paid goes directly to the cause rather than paying for the marketing and administration expenses of a gap year or volunteer placement company.

If you opt to work through a ‘sending’ company please be aware that some of these offer little more than glorified holidays and others are more interested in making money than helping the environment or providing sustainable and well-targeted help for local communities.

No one benefits from these placements apart from the companies that organise them.