Deferral - Gap year IC

[Mangojuice81]

If DC is planning apply for university this and ask for deferral to take a gap year. Do they have to mention this in the personal statement or UCAS application ?

No, they can ask after admission.

But they should be aware that many STEM courses frown on gap years, for fear that Maths will be lost. And Imperial is not known for being particularly flexible. It is worth researching their policies, on their own website and by asking on the online forum The Student Room, before making plans.

The disapproval of gap years is slowly changing, so if it is important it may be worth looking for a degree programme that will accommodate this

If they are applying for 2026 there is a space to state it on UCAS form. For some degrees it might be worth stating any relevant plans fir the gap year.

If they apply for 2025 and decide later on a gap year they can request deferral after an offer is made or results day but uni can decline.

With would it be better to do the exams, get results, take year out, apply next year with grades in hand?

DS is applying for a STEM course for deferred entry, but checked that all the unis say they're OK with that on websites. We'll see whether they practise what they preach! It's risky to ask for a gap year after an offer is made. (He could apply next year but it would be trickier given his work/travel plans...)

That’s interesting. Thank you

Thank you. DC is still not sure I think they will apply for 2025 and decide on deferral after. I think it is possible to us but it depends on what the plans are for that GAP year I think.

IC mention something about ATAS clearance; not sure what that is but searching

Think that is for overseas students

Ok. Thank you

I think that it makes sense to apply for 2025 entry and then on results day ask for a deferral.

The reasons I think this is that:

If you drop a grade they might take you this year to get bums on seats / cash into the uni but with the same missed offer might not do this for a deferred place.

The YP may change their mind over year 13 - and its easier to defer an offer on to the next year rather than trying to pick up any scraps of places in clearing.

If they say no to deferring after results and you have made their offer then you can just set up a new application for 2026.

Both my DC applied on UCAS form for deferred places and they both received offers from all their choices.

There are quite a few unis who will not allow deferral once an offer has been made so I wouldn't assume you can get that.

If your DC definitely wants to defer then I'd appleid for a deferred place. If they don't get the offers they want they can apply post results. Two bites at the cherry.

Thank you, that’s probably a good idea.

My only concern is that IC would really be interested on someone who wants to defer. I think they need to provide a good reason.

Make sure that your DC mentions that reason on the Personal Statement! Also maybe ask them to ask their referee to say that they have a plan in the reference, too (some unis apparently read the reference before the PS).

Where else is your DC applying, and would it be deferred there too? We could compare notes! (Feel free to PM me if you would prefer.)

Hi, Gloop -

This is a valid strategy for many universities, but Imperial is not worried about getting bums on seats

Thank you. That’s helpful; DC was reading about it and said they have to mention it in the PS.

But with one place in 7 I am wondering whether they really consider a deferral place.

Mine is applying in 2025 for a 2026 place.

Reason is so that he can have the support of the school in y13 with his personal statement and application.

If he doesn't get into his 2 choices then he will apply in 2026 with grades in hand.

Mine deferred on form and got offers with the exception of Leeds who refused to make an offer as she was deferring which was a pain. Ideally you want the place under your belt so you can relax about it.

That said one friend of dds didn’t make his grades and got a good place through clearing but only if he went straight away so he binned his gap year. There’s no certainty at this life stage.

Thanks. It is a tricky one. I think with IC you will have to have a very good reason for deferral on top of excellent grades, PS, etc.

Can I ask which subject at Leeds? It's on DS's list!

Well, DS has now received a deferred-entry offer from Leeds for a STEM subject, so it obviously varies!

When you apply thru UCAS there's a drop down box for the year of entry, so for this year's applicants they could choose 2025 or 2026. So essentially you can apply and defer from the start.

Thank you. DC has been advised by the school not to apply for deferral and not to
include it in the PS. I think they mean from the application. Maybe they can still ask if they get a place.

@Mangojuice81 I think they can ask when they get an offer, but some places discourage it - so it might be worth just looking on their web pages to see if it is mentioned. I've seen it in a couple of places.

Thanks. IC website said they can request it before they firm the place. I think they need to give a good enough reason though.