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Finishing school after GCSE’s or A Levels can feel exciting, but also daunting when considering what comes next.  Many students decide to go straight into university, apprenticeships or work, but more are choosing to take a gap year.  A gap year can be a great opportunity to travel, gain work experience, volunteer, learn new skills, or simply to take some time out to think about your future.  This could be a break of a few months to a year, depending on your circumstances, preferences and the opportunities that are available to you.  The aim of this blog is to help you to learn more about the benefits of a gap year and explore a range of different options.

How can a gap year benefit me?

A gap year can be a great opportunity to gain new skills and experiences that will help you to grow both personally and professionally. If you spend time and effort planning your gap year, it can help to boost your confidence and independence as well as gaining real-world experiences that can help strengthen university, apprenticeship or job applications.  Nowadays, a gap year is not seen as ‘taking a break’, it is an alternative approach to learning something new and creating the space you need to think clearly about what you might want to do in the future.

Is it the right option for me?

Choosing to take a gap year is a big decision.  Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Why do I want to take a gap year?  What do I want to get out of it?
• What are my long-term goals and is a gap year going to help me achieve those goals?
• How will I raise the funds to take a gap year?
• How can I plan my gap year effectively to avoid wasting it?

If taking a whole year out doesn’t feel right for you, you could explore shorter, or more structured options. You could for example:

• Take a mini gap year throughout the summer
• Study abroad opportunities as part of a university course
• Explore placements or internships that will contribute to your university degree

Top Tip: Think about what skills and experience you want to gain, and build your gap year around that.

Gap Year Ideas for School & College Leavers

There are many different options to explore.  You could pick one of these options or combine a few ideas over the course of your gap year!

Paid Work, Internships or Work Experience

• Part-time or full-time jobs (retail, hospitality, office roles). You can find opportunities at Job Search | Indeed or on local job sites.
• Paid or voluntary internship or work experience – see our FutureSmart Careers blog: Work Experience.
• Virtual work experience: Gain Virtual Work Experience. Earn certificates - 100% free! | Springpod.
• Seasonal work in the UK or abroad (such as an au pair, ski instructor or lifeguard).
• Some companies offer skills courses which will prepare you for specific job roles. The Avenue Cookery School has cookery courses for working in a Ski Chalet or Yacht and Snow Skool have a ski or snowboard instructor course that will qualify you as a ski instructor in three months or so. 

This option enables you to test-drive a variety of careers before committing to a permanent

 job or a university degree. Many students decide to work first and save money for travel.

Travel & Explore

• Backpacking trips around Asia, Australia or America
• Interrailing around Europe
• Cultural exchange programmes

Volunteering

• Community projects in the UK
• Environmental or conservation work
• Teaching or youth support abroad
• Do it offer a wide range of volunteering programmes across the UK: The UK's biggest volunteering database - Doit Life!

Other Volunteering opportunities to explore are:

• NCVO 
• Volunteering England
• Medical Volunteer Abroad | #1 Affordable & Trusted Programs Overseas

Gain Qualifications & Skills

• Spend time learning to drive
• First aid or lifeguarding courses
• MOOC Courses: see our FutureSmart Careers blog: Demystifying University Degree Choices MOOCs and University Tasters.

These can directly boost your CV and employability.

Personal Projects

If you’ve always wanted to spend time working on a project that interests you, maybe now is the time! You could:

• Start a small business
• Create a blog on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram
• Fundraise or run a community or charity project

This shows initiative and creativity which looks great on future job applications.

Structured Gap Year Programmes

If you prefer support and structure, why not explore opportunities with some of the organisations below:

• Year Out Group (directory of approved providers) (Find providers)
• Project Trust (long-term volunteering placements) (Visit Project Trust)
• BUNAC / JENZA Travel / The Intern Group (work, travel, internships) Summer Camp USA | Work in America.
• Camp America This opportunity enables you to work at a Summer Camp in the USA for 9-12 weeks.  You can find out more here: Explore Camp America
• Beyond Academy International Internship Programs. Work Experience & Placements
• The Fewer Things Teaching English abroad The Fewer Things - Teach English Abroad | Join Our Award-Winning TEFL Programs.
• The Intern Group Internships abroad International Internships & Intern Abroad Programs
• Jenza Travel Earn as you explore Work abroad programs | JENZA
• Oceans Research Institute Field Training programme in South Africa Field Training Program - Oceans Research
• The Might Roar volunteer and make a difference to your planet The Mighty Roar - Structured & Affordable Volunteer Abroad Programmes - The Mighty Roar.
• Letz Live Paid gap years in Australia & New Zealand Gap Year in Australia & New Zealand | Letz Live & UCAS
• Au Pair America Contact Us | Au Pair America Contact Form
• Oyster Worldwide gap year programmes Gap Year Travel, Gap Year Programs, Volunteer Work Abroad
• Blue Ventures Marine Conversation Blue Ventures - Beyond Conservation

You can explore a wide variety of other options here: Gap Year Programs | Exciting trip ideas | The Gap Year Hub.

Things to Consider

To make the most of your gap year:

• Plan your budget
• Set realistic goals
• Mix different experiences
• Keep your future in mind

Final Thoughts

A gap year can be one of the most valuable decisions you make after school or college. If done right, employers can view your gap year as a positive, well-thought-out decision that has helped you to gain valuable skills and experience.

The key is to use the time intentionally:

• Work
• Travel
• Learn
• Explore

Above all, remember to enjoy the experience.  A gap year is an exciting opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, explore the world and discover more about yourself.  The experiences you have, the people you meet and the challenges you overcome will help to shape your confidence, broaden your perspective and influence the path you choose in the future.  

Useful Links and Resources

Gap Year Ideas | Inspiration And Advice | The Gap Year Hub

Volunteer Abroad with PMGY | #1 Affordable & Trusted Programs

Find Information & Ideas to Inspire Your Gap Year Program

Top 5 Things To Do In A Gap Year | Projects Abroad UK

Gap year advice | National Careers Service

Best gap year travel programmes - Approved gap year providers

Gapforce Home Page | Gapforce

At FutureSmart Careers, we have fully qualified careers advisers ready to help. Our mission is to provide careers guidance, knowledge and resources so that young people can make confident and informed choices about their futures. If you would like careers guidance or support for students in your school, college or child, please get in touch at enquiries@futuresmartcareers.co.uk.

Please note that we are unable to make any personal recommendations for gap year opportunities.  We encourage you to research the opportunities thoroughly before making any decisions.  If you’re going abroad visit the UK Government website for travel advice: Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK  and make sure you have travel insurance.

Images sourced by Magnific