Summary
Each year, thousands of young people in the UK choose to take a gap year before starting university. Despite advice to go straight to university, many say the gap year allows them to work, save money, travel, and gain life experience. The trend of deferring university offers is increasing, with 6.4% of applicants deferring in 2025.
Key Facts
- Mia Sanson-Regan and Gwen Shepherd, from Cardiff, took a gap year to work and travel.
- They faced pressure from teachers to go directly to university but chose to defer.
- UCAS reported a 6.4% deferral rate for university offers in 2025.
- The deferral rate is nearly back to the levels seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Victoria Chitongo took a gap year, later securing a place to study medicine at Oxford.
- Graduate Prospects states that gap years provide young people a chance to explore personal interests and cultures.
- The percentage of students deferring university has increased since 2016.
