Free Time

How to spend your gap year

Practically everyone agrees that a gap year is a very good thing.

You could work and earn, work and travel, volunteer, or do a whole variety of different activities which will look impressive on your CV!

If you plan it well, a gap year can give you something to look back on with a real sense of achievement.

Work and earn

Many people decide to work at the beginning of their gap year and save money to go travelling later. It’s a good idea to start by setting yourself a financial target and work towards it, but be prepared to do something tedious and mindless. Also remember a lot of casual work is seasonal i.e. Christmas or farm work.

Work and travel

It’s easy to make the assumption that you will be able to pick up jobs as you travel to pay for your gap year. Maybe you will, but be realistic, if you wouldn’t get the same job in the UK then you won’t get it overseas.

Volunteering overseas

Doing voluntary work in a developing country can be one of the most rewarding ways of spending a gap year, but it’s not an easy option. Adapting to a radically different way of life, in potentially difficult conditions will be both mentally and physically demanding.

Will a gap year affect my UCAS application?

Yes! You have 3 choices:

  • The safest choice is to apply for a deferred entry on your UCAS application, but you will have to say what you are hoping to do and why in your personal statement.
  • Wait until you get your results and then negotiate with the university and ask if they would be willing to let you defer your entry until the next year. Risky!
  • Finally you could delay applying for a year, and apply during your gap year. However if you’re planning to spend time abroad this can get complicated.

Get organised

A properly organised gap year will impress future employers and give you something great to look back on with a sense of achievement, so don’t miss out.

Web Links

  • BUNAC
    A not-for-profit organisation that specialises in sending young people on working holidays and volunteer projects.
  • Camp America
    The chance to spend your summer in the U.S.A. living and working either with children or 'behind the scenes' as support staff on an American Summer Camp.
  • Gap Work
    Info for gap year working holiday abroad options, including the most popular destinations, the latest voluntary placements, seasonal and temporary work abroad information, plus help and advice to get your gap year job plan started.
  • Gap Year
    Lots of info, advice, and products to help with your gap year plans.
  • Lattitude
    The original gap year charity specialising in volunteering for 17-25 year-olds, with programs and placements which will allow you to work all over the world doing volunteer jobs that can make a difference.
  • Mind the Gap Year
    A package of services including backpacker insurance, an 'electronic document safe', travel products and help with planning ahead for your gap year.
  • MyPlatform2
    A global volunteering experience funded by the Department for International Development and run by Christian Aid, Islamic Relief and BUNAC.
  • Year in Industry
    Paid placements for students in their gap year before or during their degree course. Opportunities exist in all areas of engineering, science, IT, e-commerce, business, marketing, finance and logistics.
  • Year Out Group
    A very good starting point, packed with information and lots of useful links.

Return to top