Experiences of a gap year (let me now the pros and cons) / (especially related to Maths degree)

[iwantavuvezela]

My daughter has expressed the idea that she might like to take a gap year before going to Uni. I have read that often this is discouraged with Maths degrees (as might lose knowledge)
I would love to know your experiences of pros and cons or your children's experiences.
Although my initial reaction was (isn't the 3 months before adequate time to travel ) I also realise that it may be a wonderful year out of schooling and demands, a chance to grow and develop before studying.

I am a lone parent (widow) so don't have the ability to bounce this back and forth with a partner so would love to know others experience.

Mine took a gap year and is doing combined maths degree at Exeter, where they do a catch up module in the first term. It is especially useful for and benefits anyone who's done a gap year or come in via different entry routes so may not have same foundational knowledge etc.

Taking a year out certainly didn't result in any disadvantage.

I had friends at my RG university who took Maths and had been told they were not permitted to take a gap year. But this was about 100 yrs ago now so may well have changed. I assume it would be best to check with the depts of the universities. I took a gap year (I had to retake one A level) and it was not a positive experience. I suspect if you have jobs / internships and travel lined up it is a lot more exciting.

My nephew couldn't cope living away from home (ASD and doing maths) so returned after six weeks and had an unintentional year out.
He restarted at Uni of Manchester 12 months later and living at home is doing fine. He's A* further maths material. Doesn't seem to have been a problem having had a gap year.

That's interesting to hear @Scampuss - we are actually going to Exeter in a weeks time, and I will let DD ask about gap years, as well as asking about catch up modules - in some ways in makes sense (a year off with no studying as such - she will have the option to do some travelling and already has a job she could up her shifts on, and is looking at some volunteering work as well.

do you still apply as usual, and then ask if you can defer for a year, or do you state what year you want to study.

DD is ot 100% on her option yet (gap year, or not)

The first term module is called foundations, I think all maths students do it.

Mine applied with grades in hand.

I looked into this a bit for my youngest, as the older one benefitted hugely from a gap year. At least one Cambridge college explicitly states on their maths page that they can look favourably on gap years, as long as there is a plan for keeping skills going. I think wherever they end up planning to go, it will be worth discussing with a department or college directly what they would suggest for gap year maths activities to optimise readiness when they start.

In terms of the practicalities, I believe you can apply for deferred places on your UCAS form if that is what you know you want to do. My eldest didn't decide until she'd started getting offers, and then contacted the university she wanted to firm directly and they told her what to do to defer.

I took a gap 11 years and it did me no harm. I did a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and Statistics. I was worried that I'd be left behind by all of the students who were straight from school, so I worked relentlessly and graduated with the highest average in any subject in the University. I then went straight into a PhD, and now work as a lecturer.

I think if you're good at mathematics, understand the subject rather than just memorising material, and are prepared to put the effort in, then taking time out is no problem.

You can apply for September 2026 entry from the outset. An offer is an offer.

I took one and it was a brilliant decision. It made me grow up a lot, confirmed that I was in the right subject, and fattened my bank balance a bit, though my university tutors weren't super-happy that I did it. Every time I made a mistake they'd mutter that I should never have taken a year out (it wasn't maths, but something where continuity is really helpful to keep one's skills sharp)!