How do universities view gap years?

There can be a lot to think about if you’re considering a gap year, like when you should apply to university and how your time out will be viewed on your application.

We spoke to university admissions departments to get their tips for students weighing up a year out.

How do you apply to uni if you're taking a gap year? 

If you're thinking of taking a gap year, you typically have three options:

• you can apply alongside everyone else, but for a ‘deferred entry’ meaning your application will be considered for the following year.
• you can apply in the following application cycle, after you receive your results – you'll know which grade requirements you meet for university.
• you can request deferment after you have received your offer.

If you're planning to apply to a competitive course, you may find that you're in a stronger position if you apply during your gap year – with the qualifications you've achieved – rather than applying for deferred entry with predicted grades.

• Read more: visit The Student Room's gap year forum to see what other students are planning for their year out

Make your year out count

The universities you’re interested in applying to will be keen to hear a sentence or two (in your personal statement) about your intended plans and what you hope to gain from your gap-year experience – this could be earning some money, gaining further experience in a related field or travelling the world.

You could take a look on university websites, as they'll often have advice for making an application with deferred entry.

Go to university open days and get a subject tutor's views on gap years – you can also ask if they have any specific policies around deferred entry or if there's anything you should include in your university application.

If you can't make an open day, you could phone the admissions department instead.

• Read more: how to write an excellent personal statement in ten steps

Gap years: DO's and DON'Ts

DO: gain some relevant experience 

For certain degree courses, it may even be an essential – or at least a highly desirable – requirement to have a year out to gain relevant experience. Social work, medicine and veterinary medicine are good examples. 

DO: maintain or improve your skills

Whatever you plan to study, it's a good idea to keep up the skills you've acquired in your subject to date, as well as ideally spending time building and developing them.

DO: earn some money to fund your study

University is expensive – and your student loan might not stretch that far. Using your gap year as an opportunity to save up some money will be viewed positively by admissions tutors.

Saving up to fund your studies "reflects very well on you as an individual, as you are demonstrating social responsibility," according to the University of Sheffield.

DO: spend time 'discovering yourself'

This could be time spent backpacking around Europe or further afield, getting involved in a local community project or even just learning a new skill or hobby.  

DON'T: waste it

While you'll probably want to have fun during your gap year, try to do something that will add value to your time at university as well – it could help your application stand out.

Even if you're not working, you can still build relevant skills. Travelling the world for a year will strengthen traits such as planning and self-reliance, for example. 

A good way to maximise your gap year is to plan your time effectively. Doing research in advance will help you to avoid any unexpected pitfalls, such as finding out you can't afford travelling or not getting a work experience application in on time. 

• Read more: I want to go to uni but I don't know what to study

So, is it good to take a gap year then? 

Most universities see the advantages of deferred entry and welcome the maturity, motivation and experience that an applicant who has taken a gap year can bring to their degree. 

Even though gap years are generally welcomed by universities, don't let that influence whether or not you take one – do what feels like the right move for you.

Five things you can do with a gap year 

A year away from studying can feel like a long time, so what should you? Whether you're looking to build confidence, try new things or prepare for university, here are five ideas...

1. Go travelling

Travelling is a popular option for gap year students. You will have time to visit places without trying to squeeze it in between a job or your education. You can go anywhere you like, it doesn't have to be abroad – or for the full year.

You could go interrailling for a month and stay in hostels if you're trying to keep costs down. Or you could spend a week in a country you've always wanted to visit.

2. Do some volunteering

Volunteering can be great if there's a cause you really care about, or if you're trying to get experience in a specific field.

You'll probably still be living at home so you won't have to worry too much about being paid – it should be worth it to get the skills or opportunities you're after. Depending on what you're doing, it can feel rewarding too.

3. Get a job 

Whether it's to get some experience on your CV or to save up money for university, working can be a beneficial way to spend your gap year. 

You don't need to overwork yourself though, you could save up the money you want and then do something else for the rest of the year. Loads of gap year students work for a few months and then use the money they've earned to fund their travelling. 

4. Learn a new skill

You probably don't want to spend all your time working or travelling. A gap year is an ideal time to learn a new skill you're interested in but couldn't fit around your learning. 

You could even pick up multiple new skills during this time. You could start coding if you want, or learn a language. Maybe you want to pick up an instrument or get involved with a new sport? 

5. Resit your exams 

If you aren't happy with your A-level results or you think you could do even better, a gap year could give you the time you need to resit your exams so you can get into the university or course you want to. 

The Student Room's guide to A-level retakes and resits explains when and where you could take resits as well as if your chosen university will accept your new grades.