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Higher education

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Original poster

Deferring uni and having a gap year?

43 replies

NanaStrikesAgain · 03/03/2026 19:16

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 :)

OP posts:
Original poster
NanaStrikesAgain · 04/03/2026 13:33

BountifulPantry · 04/03/2026 08:32

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

Thank you, he’s making great progress but does need more support than the average 17yr old :)

OP posts:
Original poster
NanaStrikesAgain · 04/03/2026 13:38

mondaytosunday · 04/03/2026 08:50

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.

Thanks, yes we’re definitely looking at all options, not just uni - I only posted about uni here as I wanted to understand how the deferring bit would potentially work.
Agree, I’m not convinced uni is the right route for him, but at the moment I think all we can do is support him to understand the pros and cons of all the options and help him work out what he wants to do - I really want it to be his decision, so he’s happy with it.
I do kinda hope he falls into a good job without any further studying after a levels though ;)

OP posts:
Original poster
NanaStrikesAgain · 04/03/2026 13:39

maudelovesharold · 04/03/2026 09:04

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.

Thanks, no I haven’t looked into what uni support would be available for him, but I will do.

OP posts:
Original poster
NanaStrikesAgain · 04/03/2026 13:43

poetryandwine · 04/03/2026 09:16

@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.

Yes I’m hoping he chooses a route that doesn’t involve uni ;) … but I want it to be his decision, so I’m just gathering info for now to look at all options.

In a lot of ways he’s very clever and would probably do very well doing a degree studying something he’s passionate about in depth. But equally he does have significant challenges in some areas which affect him day to day. A very “spikey profile”!

OP posts:
Original poster
NanaStrikesAgain · 04/03/2026 13:47

icreatedascene · 04/03/2026 10:36

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.

Show quote history

Thank you, yes that’s exactly why I think a gap year would be a great idea for him - to “test drive” the real world and see what he can / can’t cope with, and hopefully develop some social skills while working out what he wants to do next.

OP posts:
Original poster
NanaStrikesAgain · 04/03/2026 13:49

mumonthehill · 04/03/2026 10:51

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.

Yes, we tell DS he needs to be earning or learning … definitely doing something constructive and not lazing around gaming all the time.

OP posts:
Original poster
NanaStrikesAgain · 04/03/2026 13:51

Ceramiq · 04/03/2026 11:06

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!

This is great to hear! Thanks:)

OP posts:
Original poster
NanaStrikesAgain · 04/03/2026 13:54

yorkshiretoffee · 04/03/2026 11:35

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.

Thankfully he already has a part time job since he was 15 (started volunteering and is now paid), and there’s the option to increase his hours so that would be something to get started with.
He can also do some sport coaching too if he wants to.
Im not convinced uni is the right option for him, but im just trying to understand it all so i can help him work out what he wants to do.

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Saisong · 04/03/2026 13:57

Just to echo PP that you can apply in gap year. My DD didn't apply in school, wasn't sure if she wanted uni. Started working then mid Jan had an about face, found a course she liked and applied to UCAS. Her previous college was happy to support at that point as if she was still student - despite the tight turn around (only got it all finalised on the last day to apply).

Applying with grades in hand (not stellar either), plus a personal statement emphasising her skills she gained in work, meant she got unconditional offers from all universities she applied to. Even those she didn't officially meet the UCAS points for. This made it much less stressful than if she had offers riding on her A level results.

Plus as someone else pointed out she is ahead of the game on applying for accommodation.

maturemummy · 04/03/2026 15:51

Some universities don’t like gap years if applying for maths.

maturemummy · 04/03/2026 15:51

Some universities don’t like gap years if applying for maths.

ALevelSurvivor · 07/03/2026 10:41

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HPFA · 07/03/2026 20:27

Just to say, my DD applied with grades in hand through Clearing. This starts in July -you don't have to wait till Results Day.

Very easy process. You apply (usually online) directly to the uni and send proof of your qualifications. She didn't need references or a PS. After deciding which offer to accept she submitted through UCAS and hey-ho!

This isn't a process that will get you into Oxbridge but it's a very low stress way of getting into a mid ranker.

Jo7890123 · 08/09/2026 13:10

NanaStrikesAgain · 03/03/2026 22:20

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.

Show quote history

I agree re benefits of a gap year, it sounds as if he'll gain a lot from doing some work in a short term job which isn't the first 'proper' job after he finishes uni. I found a year of working, and finding out that actually, I could usefully contribute in a work force of adults, and converse with them without apparently seeming to be an idiot, helped my confidence at uni massively😊.

CurlyKoalie · 08/09/2026 13:31

There's nothing wrong with a gap year as long as he does something constructive to enhance his CV.
Also, there's nothing wrong with applying for Uni later, rather than committing himself to a deferred uni course.
Schools don't publicise these options much to parents because it spoils their stats if they have to report any NEETS. Too many kids are processed down the uni route, without them really knowing why university is relevant to them at that point, taking on massive debt with doubtful reward at the end.
A constructive gap year gives breathing space to decide what you really want.

Ilovewillow · 08/09/2026 13:33

My daughter was in a similar position, she has ADHD and is an August birthday and she didn't feel ready but she applied in readiness to go this September in case she changed her mind. She had an unconditional offer and simply contacted uni by the end of August and has deferred until next year rolling over the conditional offer. It really helped that college assitsed in the application process and it was important for her to keep her options open.

Juja · 08/09/2026 13:55

Both my DC took gap years. They were the making of them and I'm sure your DS will benefit from taking a year out.

Both my DC applied in Year 13 asking for a deferred place and did get the offers they wanted and could plan their gap years knowing they had that in hand. If they hadn't achieved the grades they needed they could have reapplied. Alternatively if someone does better they can turn down their offers and reapply with grades in hand.

So my advice would be apply in Year 13 ticking the box to defer a year and explore the process - that way you get two bites at the cherry.

Good luck

Ceramiq · 08/09/2026 14:13

One of our children had a much needed gap year (hated school) and it did her a power of good. She reconciled with hard work (she did a first year undergraduate course in Italy as her gap year) and completely forgot about everything that had triggered her distressing panic attacks at school.

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