Maximising the benefits of a pre-course Gap Year The Gap Year Project Maximising the benefits of a pre-course Gap Year

Project Team Dr Alan Blackburn Dr Gordon Clark David Pilgrim Funded by: Teaching Quality Enhancement Fund

Project Aims Explore the relative merits of a Gap Year Develop recommendations for students and University departments Explore some links between taking a gap year and student learning

How many people take a gap year? Varying estimates, 50,000 – 100,000 p/year 20,000 defer Growing market – estimated to treble in next 3-5 years

What to do? Stay in the UK Travel Abroad Work for money Work for experience Travel Volunteer Increase qualifications

Research Areas Literature Review Student Focus Groups Admissions Tutors’ thoughts Phone interviews with gap year organisations

Findings from Literature Review Take time away from study Earn money Work experience See new cultures Learn new skills To do something exciting Time out to ensure best decision is made Gain independence

Findings from focus groups Benefits of taking a gap year Mature during the year Earn money Life experience Come back to University more motivated Work Experience Have an adventure Develop C.V building skills

Findings from focus groups Potential barriers to taking a gap year Lose rhythm of study Forget previous knowledge Money Feel left behind friends Worried parents Girl/Boyfriend Safety/illness worries

Does a gap year help you get to University? “ we look for real-life experience outside of the classroom, evidence of a well rounded personality, able to accept responsibility for their own learning – so we look at gap years in a positive way” Admissions Tutor – De Montford University

Results from admissions tutors Hard Sciences less positive Arts very much in favour All mentioned maturity, ability to settle and likelihood to succeed. Personal development

Gap Year Providers Big business – upwards of 300 providers Providers are at the costly end of market Many cheaper opportunities though, in volunteering sector and domestically. Increasing government involvement New ‘gap year standards’ – market starting to regulate itself. (Year-Out-Group and gapyear.com)

Key points from research Structured year is very important Potential gappers need to: clarify aims and costs What will you get from a year out? record experiences / skills acquired Very little research done into gap years Brings different kinds of students into university

Final Quotes “ A gap year is proven to put young people ahead in life” “Two out of three sixth formers want to take a year out or are thinking of doing so” Gapyear.com - annual report, 2001