Taking a gap year

Taking a gap year between school and university appeals to many students.

Over the past 20 years or so the opportunities for travel and adventure have grown considerably and many students want to take the chance while they are young. However, the traditional travelling gap year has become less popular recently.

• There are no official figures on how many students take a gap year but it is could be more than 50,000.
• UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions) figures show that in 2005, 31,059 UCAS applicants deferred entry until 2006. However, in 2006 the number deferring to 2007 was 23,354, and in 2007 only 22,656 applied, although the total number of students going to university has risen.  
• The STA Travel Agency (which specialises in travel for young people) reports that in 2007, of some 14,000 young people who asked for gap advice, probably only 1 in 5 will actually take it up.
• The regional distribution of gap year placements by the Year Out Group (an association of gap year travel providers) varies - in 2006, 40% were from London, only 6% from Scotland.
• Research does indicate that those who have taken a gap year are significantly less likely to drop out of university. They tend to arrive with more self-confidence and maturity, and a greater sense of independence.
• The opportunities for people to take career break or retirement 'gap years' are increasing.

It seems that more students are now opting to work for a year before going on to university, to save some money to help them to finance their studies. Some work for part of the year and use the money they’ve earned to travel for a few months.

If you intend to defer entry to University for a year, you should apply in the normal way during 2007-2008 but indicate clearly on your UCAS form that you wish to enter in 2009. You should give details of how you intend to spend the intervening year. Applications for deferred entry will be considered on the same basis as those for entry in October 2008.

• Check that your college or university will accept a deferred application
• You must meet the conditions of your offer by the end of August 2008.
• If you accept a deferred entry place, you cannot re-apply next year unless you withdraw by September 2008.

The gap year before university can last up to 16 months, from the day of the last Higher exam, in May or June, until the university 'Freshers' Week' in September or October. Used in the right way a gap year has a lot to offer.

A gap year can give you an opportunity to:

• get valuable 'real' work experience - paid or voluntary 
• learn a language
• see a bit of the world.

But bear in mind that you will have to regain the motivation to study when you come back!

In the 1950s and 60s, the unstructured 'backpacking' type of adventure was popular, but in the 21st century, if you are to benefit from your year out, it must be well planned in advance.

You could choose to:

• do paid or voluntary work
• work at home or abroad
• work in industry, care or conservation and the environment
• teach English - perhaps to up to fifty pupils at a time in the developing world.

Whatever project you choose, you should have an enjoyable, character-forming opportunity to learn new skills and draw on untapped reserves of aptitude.

A properly structured gap year can enhance your chances of being accepted by your university of choice. The key skills and personal qualities highlighted by a year out experience can make a difference when universities are trying to distinguish amongst applicants.

After you graduate, the experience of having had a worthwhile year out can impress potential employers.

If you work in industry, the company may offer you sponsorship during your degree and a job after you graduate. Your contacts can help open doors. One student on voluntary work found that the organisation's business partners offered him summer vacation work and, later, a place on their Graduate Training Scheme.

A note of caution

Although there are many good gap-year providers, there are also some distinctly dodgy ones! You must research providers carefully to make sure that your year out is well planned, and that you will receive appropriate support and assistance throughout your programme.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), in partnership with Lonely Planet, publish a really useful booklet for independent and gap year travellers called 'Travel Safe - Know Before You Go', which can be downloaded free from their website at http://www.fco.gov.uk/.  

Home or Away?

For many people the idea of a year out implies a completely new experience in an unfamiliar land. There are many organisations offering au pair jobs, work in American summer camps, or, for the more adventurous, volunteer projects in game reserves in Africa or orphanages in India.

The overseas gap year, offering the chance to see the world, has wide appeal, but it is not for everyone. As well as being expensive, it can involve living on a basic diet in primitive, sometimes dangerous surroundings, struggling with language barriers and feeling homesick for friends and family.

Many students now use their year out to earn money for study while gaining useful work experience. They prefer working, and making useful contacts, in a 'real' job while earning money to help fund them through their higher education.

Caring is a popular choice; for entry to social work you need to have relevant experience.

You may be able to work in industry. One student spent his year out working for a large engineering company. This might not sound as exotic as cycling round the world, but it helped him through university, and funded a three-month trip after he graduated.

Home or away? The choice is yours.

Finance

In most cases, if you plan a gap year abroad, you will have to raise much of the funding yourself, perhaps by organising car boot sales, selling home made products or something more exciting, like sponsored parachuting. You can also contact charitable institutions and grant-making trusts.

If you are going into paid work, you can earn up to a specified amount per week free of tax or National Insurance. In this case, your employer can supply a P38(S) form, which will stop tax or NI deductions coming off your wages.

Organisations offering extensive general information on the Year Out

bbc.co.uk

This site offers a wide range of information and useful links. It includes an article giving practical hints for females embarking on backpacking adventures on their own.
 
Web: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/education/index.shtml?gapyear#topics/

Careers Europe

Careers Europe has recently launched The Gap Year Resource Pack, price £65. You can order it through the website below.

Web: http://www.careerseurope.co.uk/

Gap Advice

Gap Advice provides independent advice on gap years, for people of all ages as well as for organisations. It’s a site for young people leaving school, for undergraduates, those who have just graduated, those looking for a career break and those with time in retirement. As from January 2007 it also publishes a magazine 'Gap Travel Guide'.

Contact:

gapadvice.org
12 Hutchings Road
Beaconsfield
Bucks HP9 2BB
Tel: 01494 673448
E-mail: info@gapadvice.org
Web: http://www.gapadvice.org/

gap-year.com

This website provides a wide range of information, for people of all ages, on taking a gap year. The same organisation publishes the Gap-Year Guidebook which is revised and updated annually. This is available from booksellers, price £11.95, or from the publishers (£11.95, plus p&p).

Contact:

John Catt Educational Ltd
Great Glemham
Saxmundham
Suffolk IP17 2DH
Tel: 01728 663668
Fax: 01728 663415
E-mail: info@gap-year.com
Web: http://www.gap-year.com/

Gapyear.com

Not to be confused with the site above - this site offers lots of different ideas, including opportunities to make money during your gap year.

Web: http://www.gapyear.com/  

Go Gap Year

This website gives general advice and information for gap year travellers.

Web: http://www.gogapyear.com/

findaGap.com

findaGap provides a guide for anyone thinking of taking time out. It includes destination guides, volunteer projects, paid jobs, cheap travel, accommodation and insurance.

Web: http://www.findagap.com/

WorldWide Volunteering

This not-for-profit organisation provides information on a wide range of volunteering opportunities in the UK and overseas. The database is designed to match your ideas with suitable placements.

Contact:

WorldWide Volunteering
7 North Street Workshops
Stoke sub Hamdon
Somerset TA14 6QR
Tel: 01935 825588
Fax: 01935 825775
E-mail: worldvol@worldvol.co.uk
Web: http://www.wwv.org.uk/ 

Year Out Group

The Year Out Group is an association of leading year out organisations. Set up to promote the idea and benefits of well-structured year out programmes, it helps young people and their advisers to choose suitable and worthwhile projects.

Contact:

Year Out Group
Queensfield
28 Kings Road
Easterton
Wiltshire SN10 4PX
Tel: 01380 816696 
E-mail: info@yearoutgroup.org
Web: http://www.yearoutgroup.org/

Organisations offering Gap Year Experiences

Listed below are just a few of the many organisations through which you can arrange a gap year experience. See also the contacts listed in the general article on 'Voluntary Work'.

Note: Most of the following are private organisations. Continuing Education Gateway cannot accept any responsibility for the standards of the organisations and the gap year experience they offer.

Africa & Asia Venture

Africa & Asia Venture specialises in teaching, community and conservation projects in Africa (several countries), India, Nepal, Thailand and Mexico, for students, undergraduates and others. Programmes vary from 5 weeks to 5 months. 

Contact:

Africa and Asia Venture
10 Market Place
Devizes
Wiltshire SN10 1HT
Tel: 01380 729009
Fax: 01380 720060
E-mail: av@aventure.co.uk
Web: http://www.aventure.co.uk/

BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers)

The BTCV organises conservation 'holidays' in the UK and abroad. Holidays vary in length from 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the area.

Contact:

BTCV
Sedum House
Mallard Way
Potteric Carr
Doncaster DN4 8DB
Tel: 01302 388888
E-mail: information@btcv.org.uk
Web: http://www2.btcv.org.uk/ 

BUNAC

BUNAC provides information on and contacts for working opportunities in the USA, Canada, Costa Rica, Peru, Ghana, South Africa, China, Cambodia, Australia and New Zealand. Programmes last 5 weeks to 2 years and include summer camp counselling oppportunities in USA and Canada.

Contact:

BUNAC
16 Bowling Green Lane
London EC1R 0QH
Tel: 020 7251 3472
Fax: 020 7251 0215
E-mail: enquiries@bunac.org.uk
Web: http://www.bunac.org.uk/

Caledonia Languages Abroad

Caledonia Languages Abroad offers a wide range of overseas language learning and cultural experiences for people of all ages and levels of language ability, in Europe, including Russia, and Central and South America. Volunteer work is available all year round from 4 weeks to 1 year in Latin America.

Contact:

Caledonia Languages Abroad
The Clockhouse
Bonnington Mill
72 Newhaven Road
Edinburgh EH6 5QG
Tel: 0131 621 7721/22/23
Fax: 0131 555 6262
E-mail: courses@caledonianlanguages.co.uk
Web: http://www.caledonialanguages.co.uk/

Camphill Association

The Camphill Association supports communities where people with developmental or learning disabilities can live, learn and work. There are over 100 communities in 20 different countries. Over 40 of the communities are in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. You can volunteer for 6 -12 months or more. A few communities can offer shorter placements for summer volunteers. 

Contact:

Individual Camphill Communities, using the contacts provided on the website.
Web: http://www.camphill.org.uk/

Camp America

Camp America offers opportunitie to work with young people in summer camps in the USA. You can work with the children, teaching or leading them sports, dancing or arts, or you can work in support roles such as catering or administration.

Contact:

Camp America
37a Queen’s Gate
London SW7 5HR
Tel: 020 7581 7373
Fax: 020 7581 7377
E-mail:enquiries@campamerica.co.uk
Web: http://www.campamerica.co.uk/

Community Service Volunteers (CSV)

CSV offers full-time volunteering away from home for periods of 4 to 12 months. you work alongside professional staff in community-based projects, supporting vulnerable people to help them manage their own lives. these placements can be an excellent  preparation for entry to social or community work, health care or teaching. You get free accommodation, food, travel and a weekly subsistence allowance.

Contact:

CSV Scotland
Wellgate House
200 Cowgate
Edinburgh EH1 1NQ
Tel: 0131 622 7766
E-mail: information@csv.org.uk
Web: http://www.csv.org.uk/

Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)

CIEE is a US non-governmental organisation which offers a wide range of oportunities to study, volunteer or work abroad.

Contact:

CIEE
Tel: 1.800.448.9944
E-mail: gapyear@ciee.org
Wwb: http://ciee.org/

EIL Cultural and Educational Travel

EIL (Experiment in International Living) offers a range of 2-3 month programmes in educational, environmental and health work and work with disadvantaged children. The areas covered include 14 countries in North America, South America, Africa and Asia. EIL is a participant in the European Voluntary Service (EVS) Programme, funded by the EU.

Contact:

EIL Cultural and Educational Travel
287 Worcester Road
Malvern
Worcestershire WR14 1AB
Tel: 0800 018 4015 or 01684 562577
Fax: 01684 562212
E-mail:info@eiluk.org
Web: http://www.eiluk.org/ 

Frontier

A non profit-making organisation specialising in environmental conservation and development, gathering information on endangered wildlife and habitats, and developing the sustainable use of natural resources with its partners in Cambodia, Madagascar, Fiji, Nicaragua and Tanzania. Frontier runs expeditions to over 20 countries.

Contact:

Frontier
50-52 Rivington Street
London
EC2A 3QP
Tel: 020 7613 2422
Fax: 0 20 7613 2992
Email: info@frontier.ac.uk
Web: http://www.frontier.ac.uk/

GAP Activity Projects

GAP Activity Projects is a major year out organisation, which arranges for UK young aadults in over 20 countries. The voluntary work placements are in a wide variety of fields including teaching (including outdoor education), care, medicine and the environment. These placements are mostly 3-6 months, although some are 12 months. They can count toward achieving Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Contact:

GAP Activity Projects
44 Queen’s Road
Reading
Berkshire RG1 4BB
Tel: 0118 959 4914
Fax: 0118 957 6634
E-mail: volunteer@gap.org.uk
Web: http://www.gap.org.uk/

GAP Guru

As the name suggests, this organisation offers gap year activities, for all ages, based in India. Projects include voluntary or paid work in business, community work and health care, conservation and teaching, as well as adventure journeys.

Gapyear Directory

A guide to all aspects of taking a gap year. It includes detailed information on volunteer projects, expeditions and language courses.

Web: http://www.gapyeardirectory.co.uk/

Gap Year for Grown Ups

This is a specialist section of the Real Gap Experience website (see below). It offers a guide for adults with a few spare months to spend, perhaps for a career break, or in retirement. Offers ideas for volunteer work, voluntary teaching projects, working holidays and travel options, from 2 weeks to 12 months.

Web: http://realgap.co.uk/Grown-ups/   

Jobs in the Alps

This organisation offers well-paid jobs in Alpine resorts. For most jobs you should have a knowledge of French and/or German.

Contact:

E-mail: info@jobs-in-the-alps.co.uk
Web: http://www.jobs-in-the-alps.cp.uk/ 

Kibbutz Program Centre

Kibbutz Program Centre represents about 250 kibbutzes throughout Israel. It is responsible for matching volunteers with suitable work in a kibbutz, so that both benefit. Note that, after applying, volunteers are not actually placed in a kibbutz until they arrive in Tel Aviv.
The New Israeli Experience program is a full time study and leisure program for young people who wish to learn Hebrew. It runs for 2 months. You live in a kibbutz but there is no kibbutz work.

Contact:

Kibbutz Program Centre
Volunteer Dept of the Kibbutz Movement
6 Frishman Street cr. Hayarkon
Tel Aviv 61030
Israel
Tel: 972.3.524 6156
Fax: 972.3.523 9966
E-mail: kpc@volunteer.co.il
Web: http://www.kibbutz.org.il/eng.welcome.htm/

Link Overseas Exchange

This is a Dundee-based organisation offering 6 month placements (including 6 weeks travel time) for young people  in India, Sri Lanka, China and Romania. All volunteers are sent in pairs to the project. The projects can include working with children, in health and welfare, teaching English, sport and arts, crafts and games.

Contact:

Link Overseas Exchange
25 Perth Road
Dundee DD1 4LN
Tel: 01382 203192
Fax: 01382 226087
E-mail: info@linkoverseas.org.uk
Web: http://www.linkoverseas.org.uk/

Madventurer

This company offers rural and urban placements in parts of Africa, Central America, India and Thailand. Projects include building work, teaching, health care, journalism and sport.

Contact:

Mad HQ
1-4 Forth Lane
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5HS
Tel: 0845 121996
E-mail: team@madventure.com
Web: http://www.madventure.com/

Payaway

A guide and directory for working, travelling and living abroad including gap years.

Web: http://www.payaway.co.uk/

Project Scotland

Project Scotland gives young Scots the chance to volunteer full time in Scotland. You must live in Scotland. Placements are usually a minimum of 3 months, for at least 30 hours a week. There are projects in the arts, environment, sports and working with perople with disabilities. You can volunteer for up to 12 months in one placement or a mix of placements. Project Scotland offers a subsistence allowance, travel expenses, appropriate training and mentor support. If you volunteer for 6 months or more, you may get financial help from a personal development fund to achieve your future goals.

Contact:

Project Scotland
49 Melville Street
Edinburgh EH3 7HL
Tel: 08458 416225
E-mail info@projectscotland.co.uk
Web: http://www.projectscotland.co.uk/

Project Trust

Project Trust is an organisation which sends school leavers for a year’s voluntary work in any of 22 different developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Volunteers work as teachers, as outward bound instructors, or in social care, development, conservation or environmental projects. You must be in full time secondary education and expecting to leave school with university entry qualifications. You must have a British or EU passport. Selection takes place during a four-day stay on the Isle of Coll.

Contact:

Project Trust
The Hebridean Centre
Isle of Coll
Argyll PA78 6TE
Tel: 01879 230444
Fax: 01879 230357
E-mail: info@projecttrust.org.uk
Web: http://sharepoint.isleofcoll.org/projecttrust/default.aspx/

Quest Overseas

Quest Overseas offers 3 month gap expeditions through Africa or South America, including voluntary work in conservation or community development, as well as the chance to learn a language.

Contact:

Quest Overseas
The North-West Stables
Borde Hill Estate
Balcombe Road
Haywards Heath
West Sussex RH16 1XP
Tel: 01444 474744
Fax: 01444 474799
E-mail: emailus@questoverseas.com
Web: http://www.questoverseas.com/

Raleigh

Raleigh is a youth charity which offers 4-10 week programmes in Borneo, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and India for 17-24 year olds and volunteer managers over 25. They include 3 phases: a sustainable environment project, a community project and an adventure project.
Raleigh also runs programmes for disadvantaged young people in the UK.

Contact:

Raleigh
3rd Floor
207 Waterloo Road
London SE1 8XD
Tel: 020 7183 1270
E-mail: info@raleigh.org.uk
Web: http://www.raleighinternational.org

Real Gap Experience

This organisation runs gap year projects for all ages in over 40 countries worldwide. There is voluntary or paid work in teaching, community work, sport and wildlife and conservation. The website includes a specialist section for grown-up 'gappers'.

Contact:

Real Gap Experience
First Floor
No 1 Meadow Road
Tunbridge Wells TN1 2YG
Tel: 01892 516164
Fax: 01892 523172
E-mail: info@realgap.co.uk
Web: http://www.realgap.co.uk/

Ski Le Gap

During the winter months this organisation offers intensive ski or snowboarding instructor courses, for young people, at various levels. Students train at Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada for 2 or 3 months, depending on the level of training. You can also learn French or improve your existing language skills.

Contact:

Ski Le Gap
220 Chemin Wheeler
Mont-Tremblant
Quebec J8E 1V3
Canada
Tel: 0800 328 0345 (Freephone)
E-mail: info@skilegap.com
Web: http://www.skilegap.com/

STA Travel

Offers cheap travel and comprehensive assistance to students and graduates in planning their trip[ and using their time.

Tel: 0871 2 300 040
Web: http://www.statravel.co.uk/

The Year in Industry (Scotland)

This scheme offers a ‘year out in industry’ within the UK, with a minimum salary of £8,000-£15,000 a year; some companies pay more. Companies include Shell UK, Scottish Power and Rolls Royce. Most jobs are in engineering, science and computing, but you can also work in business and other non-technical fields. This scheme offers a focused gap year with projects tailored to your degree course. You have mentor support and your employer sends you on a CMI (Chartered Management Institute) course.

Contact:

The Year in Industry (Scotland)
University of Strathclyde

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Room M659

James Weir Building

75 Montrose Street

Glasgow G1 1XJ
Tel: 0141 548 2845
E-mail: scotland@yini.org.uk

Web: http://www.yini.org.uk/

Travellers

This organisation offers opportunities for gap years, career breaks and to retired people to teach conversational English and other subjects including sports, music, drama and IT. You can take part in conservation projects, a wide selection of work experience placements, learn Russian, Spanish, Mandarin or Portuguese among native speakers. You can go to a wide range of destinations including South America, Africa, Russia, Asia and Australia. Programmes are very flexible and can be arranged to suit individual requirements. Projects are from 2 weeks to a year.

Contact:

Travellers
7 Mulberry Close
Ferring
West Sussex BN12 5HY
Tel: 01903 502595
Fax: 01903 500364
E-mail: info@travellersworldwide.com
Web: http://www.travellersworldwide.com/

Year Out Drama

Year Out Drama provides an intensive practical drama course, including acting techniques, voice, movement, directing, text study and performance. The course has strong links with the Royal Shakespeare Company and students perform at the Edinburgh Festival.

Contact:

Year Out Drama
Stratford-on-Avon College
Stratford-on-Avon CV37 9QR 
Tel: 01789 266245
E-mail: yearoutdrama@stratford.ac.uk
Web: http://www.yearoutdrama.com/