Well-known for the quality of education and breadth of opportunity they provide to graduates, UK universities constitute just under 25% of the top 100 QS world-ranked universities. As a result, applications to study at many UK universities are competitive due to the wide variety of excellent candidates who apply from the world over.

To support students applying to UK universities, we are publishing a series of articles on the preparation and work required during the application and admissions process in order to secure a university place. In this article, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages to consider when it comes to deferrals & gap years.

Gap Years

The most common reason for deferring entry to university is to take a gap year in order to develop your experience or skills in some way. This can be extremely beneficial to your personal growth as well as your academic preparation during the intervening time which you can mention in your application. Examples of ways to use your gap year effectively include the following:

• Travelling in different countries (particularly for study of languages)

• Internship/work experience opportunities.

• Independent projects such as competitions or essay prizes.

• MOOCs or externally accredited short courses or projects.

Below are also key advantages and disadvantages to consider for taking a gap year.

Advantages

• Generally approved for applicants applying to study courses in social sciences or languages.

• An opportunity to develop your skills and ability for university.

• An opportunity to broaden your horizons and grow as a person.

Disadvantages

• Generally disapproved for applicants applying to study courses in sciences, mathematics or computer science.

• Your ability for specific skills may deteriorate over the course of the year due to irregular or no practice.

Deferrals

Deferring your place at university means delaying your entry to the university by 1 year. For instance, if you are submitting your application in September 2021 to start at university in September 2022, you might wish to submit your application in September 2021 but defer your entry until September 2023. There are 3 methods via which to defer your entry to university.

1. Submitting an application with a deferred entry start date.

2. Requesting to defer a university offer after receiving an offer.

3. Submitting an application during the intervening gap year.
   
   

The first option means choosing a deferred entry start date in your university application. Your applications should then reflect your reasoning for deferring and what you intend to achieve in the intervening time. Your applications will be treated the same as non-deferred applications of that academic year. However, if you achieve the grades required by your conditional offer, your place at university will be secured for your deferred entry start date the following year. Not all universities, colleges or courses offer the option of deferred entry so it is worthwhile to check beforehand. Any offers you receive from these applications will then be for a deferred entry start date. If you change your mind and wish to take up a place in the current academic year, you would need to contact the university directly and enquire if they still have places available for your course. The advantages and disadvantages of this method are below:

Advantages

• Your application considers and turns your deferral into a strength.

• Any offers are immediately considered for deferred entry.

Disadvantages

• None - this is the best method of deferring entry as it gives the simplest and most advanced notice of your intent to defer.

The second option means that after you have already received a conditional offer from a university to start in the coming academic year, you could then request that the university defer your entry. You would need to contact the university directly and explain your reasoning effectively; the university is within its rights to refuse. If you still wish to defer, you would then need to cancel your application and apply once more to the university in the next academic year. The same holds true whether you are requesting to defer your offers before or after you have received your final grades in August. It is not possible to defer via Clearing. The advantages and disadvantages of this method are below:

Advantages

• You already know your conditional offers.

Disadvantages

• Contact each university directly.

• Depends on the university’s flexibility.

The third option means that you choose to submit a university application during your intervening gap year - in the year “off” between school and university. In the timeline above, this would mean not submitting an application in September 2021 but rather submitting an application in September 2022 once you have already completed school and received your school grades. You would then start in September 2023. This option is still available to you if you try options 1 or 2 but are unsuccessful - you can still withdraw an application and reapply again the next year. The advantages and disadvantages of this method are below:

Advantages

• Greater flexibility by considering options and applying later.

• Can still be attempted if option 1 and 2 are unsuccessful.

• You already know your final school grades.

• You should have developed greater experience to display in your application.

Disadvantages

• You have to apply independently without your school’s support during your gap year.

• Your application will be considered against that academic year’s graduating cohort.

• Taking a gap year may be frowned upon by some universities, colleges or courses.

For more advice or for a free personalised university application plan, contact our team at info@libraeducation.co.uk.

We hope that this article will provide you with greater preparation for your applications to study at university in the UK and help portray you as a prime candidate for your intended course and university. We wish you success in this next exciting stage of your academic career.