Deferring uni and having a gap year?

[NanaStrikesAgain]

DS is in yr12, multiple additional needs and attends a specialist school where he’s doing 2 x Btec and 1 x a level. The only reason he’s able to do these subjects is because he’s at the specialist school with a lot of support. He would never have coped academically or socially in a mainstream college.

He's thinking of taking a gap year after 6th form - to get a job locally and just spend the year developing his social skills and confidence and generally maturing.

How does this work in terms of uni applications? In theory he should be starting uni sept 2027. Would he still apply in 2027? Or is it better to wait and apply in 2028 for a sept 2028 start?

At the moment he doesn’t have a clear idea about subjects or future careers.

Anyone who’s DC has had a gap year - are there any issues we need to consider? Is it easy to apply for uni during his gap year, or is it better to do it whilst he’s still in 6th form even if he has no intention of starting in 2027?

Thanks :)

I would apply in Y13 while he has support from school with the application process, providing a reference etc and when he does, he can tick that he wants to defer entry on the UCAS application.

Whilst I agree with @SilverBlue56I would also recommend speaking to his tutor and/or head of year, as there may be some advantages to applying later. You will need to carefully consider which universities can meet your son’s needs, and whether he will be better off applying with grades in hand.

Thank you, yes that makes sense to do it while he’s got the support of his teachers

Thank you - do you mean applying after yr13 once he’s got his actual results instead of with predicted grades?
Weve got parents evening soon so i can speak to his teachers then.

How is DS doing, academically? If he has the predicted grades to get the offers he wants and then defer, that usually - but not always - works. And if he doesn’t make his offers, or this doesn’t work, he can apply again with grades in hand. That makes a compelling case.

If he is struggling but can up his game during Y13, he will generally do better to apply with grades in hand as he won’t have the PGs early in the year to reflect his ability.

At a personal level, my observation is that virtually all students who take a gap year benefit. They are more mature, more focused, more comfortable making full use of the opportunities offered by the university, etc.

Best wishes to DS

You can apply after leaving school and still get references from school, my dd did (within a reasonable amount of time)

As @tutugogomy son took a gap year and applied after leaving his 6 form college with grades in hand. They still assisted with personal statement and provided references etc.

I agree with talking with teachers on what support would be available in both situations.

My oldest was fairly burnt out at the end of Y13. Even with all the support of being in a specialist programme, KS4 and KS5 had taken their toll on him. He had applied in Y13, but chose to take a gap year to work and decompress. It was about 8 or so month of him working part time and working on his computer skills (mostly CAD related) before he applied again. He found it a lot less stressful doing it with grades in hand.

I deferred, applied with everyone else and ticked a box to defer. Got into first choice so all fairly simple and glad I was able to ‘relax’ with an offer in hand. I worked for about 8 months then travelled. Don’t regret it for a second. Unexpected bonus was that I was able to apply for my uni accommodation earlier than many so got in the ‘posh flats’! I felt a bit of a maturity difference to some (not all) who didn’t taken a gap year in freshers year, but it evened out after that.

I agree with this.
I didn’t take a gap year as I was worried I would “forget” how to study if I got out of the rhythm of it. But I exceeded my expected grades and in hindsight which I’d deferred my place while also reapplying with grades in hand.
Never mind. Life is easy to live in hindsight but never simple the first time around.

My sons college supports you to apply during your gap year so its worth checking if they will do this.

Its much more relaxing as you know your grades and had time to actually see the unis properly which he couldnt do in year 13 as was so busy with coursework.

Thanks that’s helpful:)

Currently his teachers think he’s on track to get 1 x Distinction, 1 x Merit and a C (A level) but it’s still quite early days in yr12.

I do think a gap year will buy him some time to mature and catch up emotionally and socially with his peers.

Oh that’s good to know! Thanks:)

Good to know thank you:)

Thank you, yes I think my son is going to be pretty burnt out too - he was after his GCSEs but perked up last term at his new college, now he’s starting to struggle and stay motivated and focused. I think thinking about uni when he doesn’t have the pressure of uni applications will most likely be the best thing for him.

What a lucky young man having a supportive parent who cares and wants the best for him.

Is university really the right route? I would consider other options. My stepson didn’t go to uni and has a good career first in a non medical role with the NHS and now head of a department in a council. He had no idea what he wanted to do and he did take a gap year, going to Australia to work and then a few jobs before landing the NHS job then he didn’t look back. Uni would have been a waste of time and resources. On top if your YP is struggling now to stay focused with all the help and supportive environment of you and the school, there will be minimum at uni. Yes there is DSA which will help with software and a few other things and some unis are better than others with support but he really needs to be self motivated and be able to cope independently. Uni derails many kids who have none of the extra challenges your son has.
However if he is determined then a gap year sounds an excellent idea, and I would highly advocate applying after his exams. My DD did this. Having her grades meant she knew exactly what uni to target and without any exam pressure and of course her offers were unconditional.

Someone I know whose dc had support for additional needs throughout their schooling, got onto a degree course and was able to access funding for a 1-1 support assistant for part of the time, at least, perhaps in lectures and tutorials, I’m not sure. They graduated, anyhow! Have you looked into ongoing post-school support for your ds? Just a thought.

@mondaytosunday makes an excellent point: DS should give some thought to how he wants to begin his career, and whether university is the right choice.

The two good reasons for going are to pursue a branch of learning for which you have a passion, and to prepare for certain careers. If neither of these apply, there may be more sensible options not involving a small mountain of debt.

A lot of colleges provide references and help with the application during the gap year. I think there a good thing especially if the yo isn’t sure what to do . Gives them time to mature and weigh up their options calmly without extra stress.

My DD was in the same position. Like your son, only achieved what she did because of the level of support. She had no idea really what she wanted to do so took a gap year to try to do some volunteering to work on social and 'public' skills. Going into the real world was a big eye opener for her (not in a good way) and she decided not to go to university in the end. She's on a second gap year, funded by her PIP. She found her volunteering roles really stressful, although they were only 4 hours a week so she has a much better idea of what she can/can't manage. She won't ever work full-time and even part time would have to be very part time in a supportive environment, so I keep telling her there is no rush. I think in all honesty she's still unwinding from the stress of school.

Ds on a gap year now. He did apply for uni in year 13 but on results day decided not to defer but to reapply. It was a bit stressful doing it this way as school was slow to respond but he did get it in, just. I would apply year 13 and then see, they can defer and then see how the gap year goes. Ds had very firm plans for his year out and has been proactive. We were clear it was not a stay in bed year but a chance to do different things and clear his head. Ds is going to uni in September but I was open to him not going if he found a job etc this year that he could progress in.

One of our DC was young for year and would have been 17 in the September of first year had they not taken a gap year. The gap year not only meant that they were in the correct year group at university but also was a huge maturing experience and they were definitely better prepared for the socio-emotional aspects of university than those who hadn't taken a gap year (and many of those were in fact older than our DC). So, yes, I think that gap years can be very helpful and any student who is feeling a bit unsure about being ready for university should embrace a (well-structure) gap year!

Grand daughter with EHCP is receiving more support at uni than she got in 6th form college.

Not about Uni, but are you fairly confident DS will get a job during his gap year, or at least enough activities that you would both be happy with?
Finding work is quite brutal at the moment, several of DC's friends are spending the year gaming and socialising with either no job or a bit of "does some work for his dad" for a few hours each week/month.
Lots of time to think about this, but if he doesn't already have a job, I would look for something part time (together) before the end of Year 13.

Also, consider apprenticeships and/or other qualifications after Year 13, uni isn't for everyone.