Students planning a Gap Year / Year Out and applying to HE

September - December

• If still unsure about your career choice, arrange interviews with school, college, careers or Connexions advisors
  
  
• If applying to Higher Education for the year after your Gap Year, follow the same processes for 2nd year A-level and GNVQ students applying to Higher Education.
  
  
• When you complete your UCAS form, make it very clear that you are applying for deferred entry
  
  
• Apply to  Gap Year or Year Out opportunities, researching the organisations carefully, using information from advisors, from websites, from libraries and from any former participants.

• If still unsure about your career choice, arrange interviews with school, college, careers or Connexions advisors
  
  
• Research  Gap Year or Year Out opportunities through websites, careers advice, books etc.
  
  
• Consider any financial commitments required or whether you need to earn money. Plan what you might do and how to finance it.
  
  
• Check your tax and insurance situation with your careers advisor, the Inland Revenue or contact your local Tax Office
  
  
• Discuss your selected options with other people who have experience or information, especially if you are planning to go abroad.
  
  
• Ensure that any agency you are interested in works to good standards and supports their participants.
  
  
• Attend interviews for year out opportunities.
  
  
• Attend HE Fairs, Conventions, Open Days at various universities and colleges and taster courses.
  
  
• Attend any careers or Higher Education workshops.
  
  
• If you are applying to Higher Education for the year after your Gap Year, follow the advice given to 2nd year students applying to Higher Education.
  
  
• If you are applying for deferred entry, you cannot apply for tuition fees contribution and student loan assessments now. Make arrangements to do this in the spring of next year.

April - June

• Apply for  Gap Year or time out opportunities, researching the organisations carefully, especially if you have not yet got any offers from Higher Education courses.
  
  
• Discuss with careers advisors, how any year out activity could help with jobs, employment and training in different sectors and with different employers.
  
  
• Ensure that you are fully prepared for your Gap Year, and if working abroad, make arrangements to be contacted, and keep a backup of financial, travel, health and other arrangements at home. Don't forget to take out health and other insurance if you are going abroad. Arrange a web based email address to keep in touch while abroad from Internet cafes.
  
  
• If you are applying to Higher Education, follow the advice given to 2nd year students applying to Higher Education.
  
  
• Write to Admissions Tutors about courses that interest you and check they will accept a deferred application. If you're not sure which course you want to do after your year out, apply a year later, making sure you are available to complete applications and attend interviews.
  
  
• Prepare what you are going to write on the UCAS application form, especially the reasons why you are taking a year out and what you plan to do.

• If you are applying to Higher Education, follow the advice given to 2nd year students applying to Higher Education.
  
  
• Part time jobs, voluntary work, work shadowing or work experience related to your choice of degree/HND or future career choice, will also help you in any Higher Education application. Any job will give you useful skills & experience. Keep a record of your work details & get a reference if possible when you leave.
  
  
• If you are hoping to go to university in September 2005, arrange to have applications for Higher Education support & for social work bursaries, sent to you between March 2005 & June 2005. You can also apply online for HE support. The deadline for social work applications is end of June 2005. The deadline for HE applications will be early July 2005.

• September 2004: Applications for 2005 entry can be sent from summer 2004. Apply from 1st September for Oxford University & Cambridge University (if not done so). Applications to Cambridge University & Oxford University considered by universities from 1st September.
  
  
• October 2004: 15th October deadline for all applications for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or science. 15th October closing date for Oxford or Cambridge, (submit applications to universities & also to UCAS)
  
  
• October - November 2004: Take SAT l for US undergraduate studies
  
  
• November - December 2004: Take SAT ll if necessary, depends on US university requirements
  
  
• December 2004: Closing date for NMAS, UCAS, Art & Design Route A applications - 15th December. UCAS & NMAS will process applications up to & including 30th June provided there are vacancies, but you may not get a place.
  
  
• January 2005: Art & Design Route B 1st January - 21st March
  
  
• March 2005: UCAS Extra begins in mid March. Closing date for Art & Design Route B - 24th March. See date on letter for deadline to reply to offers
  
  
• June 2005: Closing date for social work bursaries to the General Social Care Council (GSSC)
  
  
• July 2005: Closing date for applications for Higher Education Support to your LEA or download forms online

• GCSE results: 26th August 2004
  CCEA results (Northern Ireland): 24th August
  GNVQ results: 11th March 2004, 26th August 2004
  AS, A2, AEA results: 11th March 2004, 19th August 2004
  AVCE results: 11th March 2004, 19th August 2004
  A-level results: 19th August 2004
  International Baccalaureate: January for November session, July for May session
• Review your options, discuss results with careers or guidance advisors.