Gap Year Options

If you are considering taking a gap year or have already decided you want one, the resources in this section are for you. They include guidance on the pros and cons of taking a gap year, ideas on what you can do during your gap year, and links to travel guides.

Our team suggests you start with the Alternatives to University – Gap years page owned by UCAS. See the list below for links.

Do remember that our recommendations do not indicate approval, endorsement or recommendation of any website, resource or provider.

Name of Resource	Type of Content	Free or Paid?	What will you find there?	Link to resource
Alternatives to University: Study Overseas	Gap year options	Free	Information regarding the benefits of studying abroad, statistics concerning UK students who spent time working/ studying abroad, including how many did it, the most popular periods, and a link to the Erasmus+ exchange programme.	https://www.ucas.com/node/1986/mid/23881
Alternatives to University: Gap years	Gap year options	Free	The advantages and disadvantages of taking a gap year, general advice and things to do on a gap year that can go towards your CV or experience for applications. Links to the FCO website to help users with travel advice.	https://www.ucas.com/alternatives/gap-year/gap-years-ideas-and-things-think-about
35 Ideas to do in your Gap Year!	Gap year options	Free	This video shares 35 suggestions for things to do on a Gap Year, including apprenticeships, internships, how to travel, how to find employment, and other advice/ tips to help you if you do decide to take a gap year.	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdTTXfuAuFw
Project Trust	Gap year options	Website is free to view but placement is self-funded	This website belongs to Project Trust, a charity that organises medium to long term international placements for gap year students in Africa, Asia and Latin America. According to their website you have to apply for their volunteering placements, and on selection you are provided with training before embarking on the placement. You will also have to to fundraise to fund your trips and maintenance during the period. Projects offered include teaching in primary or secondary schools, and medical placements amongst other opportunities.	https://projecttrust.org.uk/project-trust-gap-year-charity/
Gap 360	Gap year options	Website is free to view but placement is self-funded	Advice on gap year activities, and a range of self-funded programmes and activities that you can choose from. The programmes are diverse and cover different lengths of time from just a few weeks to over a year. Programmes are self funded.	https://www.gap360.com/
Go overseas	Gap year options	Website is free to view but placements are self-funded	A communities review website that rates programmes that provide self-funded travel abroad opportunities for young people including work experience opportunities such as teaching English as a Foreign Language. It offers information on programmes in nine different categories. Plus check out this site for pictures, stories of other people’s experiences, overseas experience scholarship opportunities and ratings.	https://www.gooverseas.com/about/what-is-go-overseas