Difference between applying and deferring university entry or applying next year

[wendall456]

My DD is going into year 13 in September and hasn't wanted to go to university. She has been looking at apprenticeships or going to straight into work but now she has decided that maybe she does want to go to uni after all but definitely not in 2024 - she has been looking for 2025 - she would like to go to some open days. My question is though if she decides that uni is for her and she finds a course she likes does she apply this year and defer entry or does she just wait and apply for entry for 2025 next year. Thank you

There are pros and cons of both. I think that applying-and-deferring allows a second chance if nothing comes up this year (or if grades don't match predictions) and also allow a headstart for accommodation-finding in some places. But applying "PQA" (post-qualification application) with grades in hand tends to get very speedy responses which can help remove some stress from the process.

Both my two DC applied for deferred entry and got offers. They both knew they wanted a year out.

As @PrivateSchoolTeacherParent says it gives you two bites of the cherry.

Perhaps worth having a convincing ‘story’ of your plan for the year out to put on their Personal Statement. A few subjects like Maths don’t like years out but lost completely neutral.

Daughter decided while at school that she wanted a gap year, so she applied post A levels and got offers straight away. Being a summer born she was closer in age to her peers on her course than to many of her friends at school.

My son knew he wanted a gap year but didn’t apply for deferred entry. He emailed after he’d got his results and asked to defer and they agreed. It’s probably easier to apply when you’re in the system and the UCAS references etc are easy to do.

There is absolutely no reason to waste valuable space on a personal statement to explain why you are having a gap year, the exception being if you are3 doing something that directly relates to the degree eg. working or volunteering in that field.

Consider the support from school, as I head into yr 13 as a tutor we do a lot towards prep, helping with personal statements, references etc. Also helps with apprenticeships.

Much harder to do once they have left as teachers may have moved on, I would advise them to prep even if they don't submit it.

Mine applied after he had his results in hand, the whole thing was so much less stressy all round. Maths and comp sci, no problem with a year out.

Just a note to say that current tuition fees are capped until the 2024-25 academic year. Who knows what they will be for later years. Loan is likely to cover it but it could mean more debt the later you start. Appreciate some now work for a year to build up some funds, but still a consideration.

Also as more are turning 18 over the coming few years later years could be more competitive.

https://www.studyinternational.com/news/uk-tuition-fees-hike/

Applying during Y13 for a deferred place means she has support of school as she goes through the process and dedicated time in the calendar to do it. If she changes her mind or doesn’t like her offers she can withdraw and have a second go of things after Y13 but there’s really no reason not to do it in Y13 initially.

Entry requirements are subject to change every year, they increase so I would recommend applying this year and deferring as you at least do not have to worry in regards to grades, or even fees.