helpyouchoose.org

People take a year out for a whole variety of reasons: A break from education, to make time to consider further options, to travel, to learn a new language, to increase confidence and independence, to broaden their skills and experiences.

Increasingly, people are looking to earn money to help support them when they get to university.

A year out isn’t a soft option. It demands as much, if not more, thought than any other option. You still have to make a positive decision, make applications and, maybe, raise money to go on certain schemes.

What you can do

• Voluntary work.
• Specialist gap year provision.
• Part-time work. Every job, no matter how simple it seems to you, makes demands on you and adds to your experience – don’t undervalue what you do!

A year out isn't a soft option. It demands as much, if not more, thought than any other option

Remember to keep a note of what you do and the skills you use – when you make your applications use it as evidence to prove you have what it takes.

Pros and cons

Advantages:

• A chance to earn money to support future studies.
• A one-off opportunity to do something totally different.
• Develop skills (a foreign language).
• Gain work experience related to future employment or course.
• Take a break from academic study in order to sort out priorities and come back refreshed.
• Travel more extensively than is possible in holidays.
• Give something back to the community.
• Good for your CV.

Disadvantages:

• If the year is not well planned it will produce little benefit.
• A few university departments discourage students to take a year out – always check before you finally decide.
• You can lose motivation for returning into academic work.
• You have to pay to join some schemes. Check the details carefully.
• The year may cost more than you earn.
• A year out takes a year away from future earning potential.