Year 12 & 13 (6th Form)

Thinking about taking a gap year after school?

Here's what it actually is, what you can do, and why it could be the best move you make.

 

Finishing secondary school is a huge deal. You’ve spent years studying, sitting exams, and being told what to do and when to do it. So, the thought of taking a gap year to go out and do your own thing, in your own time, is perfectly understandable.

A gap year is just a period of time between finishing school and starting your next chapter (or a break you take between any of the chapters in your life). It’s one option that more and more students are seriously considering. But what does it actually look like? And is it the right move for you? Let’s break it down.

 

What is a gap year, exactly?

Think of a gap year as taking a pause. Instead of going straight from Year 13 into university, a job, or an apprenticeship, you take some time — usually around 12 months, to do something different.

That “something different” can look a thousand different ways depending on your preferences, finances, and a world of other variables. It might entail travelling overseas, volunteering in your community, working a job to save money, learning a new skill, or even just taking a breath and figuring out what you actually want. There’s no single right answer, and that’s kind of the point.

 

Does a gap year have to involve going overseas?

This is one of the most common questions people ask, and the short answer is: absolutely not. The narrative around gap years has shifted significantly in recent years, and students are increasingly choosing them out of a genuine desire for growth, clarity, and wellbeing, not just a ticket to Thailand.

A local gap year can be just as valuable. You could pick up casual work in your town, do a short course, get your driver’s licence, volunteer with a local charity, or even start a small side project. Staying close to home doesn’t mean standing still, it could mean putting down roots, building real-world skills, and figuring out what kind of life you want to build.

 

What can you actually do in a gap year?

The options are broader than most people think. Here are some popular ideas:

• Volunteering — Whether it’s helping at a wildlife sanctuary, working with kids, or supporting community organisations, volunteering is a great way to build skills and make a real difference. It also looks excellent on a resume.
• Work and save — Many students use a gap year to work and build up their savings. This is especially smart if you’re planning to go to university and want some financial breathing room. Think of it as funding your future self.
• Travel — Europe, Africa,  South-East Asia, Australia, and several other countries offer plenty of programs, opportunities, and support for young people taking a gap year, and travel could open your mind in ways a classroom simply can’t. Even a UK road trip could shift your perspective.
• Internships and work experience — Spending time in an industry you’re curious about is one of the smartest things you can do before committing to a degree or career path. You might discover that you love it or that you definitely don’t, which is equally useful.
• Short courses and skill-building — Learn to code, get a first aid certificate, take a photography class, study a language. A gap year is a rare window of time that’s genuinely yours to use.

 

Will it hurt my chances at university or with employers? The surprising answer (particularly for parents) is probably not. Universities are increasingly supportive of gap years, allowing you to defer offers – just check with the university and your specific course before you accept. As for employers, a gap year done with intention; where you’ve worked, volunteered, travelled, or learned something, tells a story of someone proactive, adaptable, and self-motivated. Those are some of the qualities workplaces value.

 

What if I’m not sure what to do yet? Like so many other people in the same boat, at any age, taking a gap year could help answer some of life’s big unknowns. You’ll have time and experiences to help you ponder what career you want, where you want to live, and how to go about building a life that suits you. Start with one question: what do I want more of in my life right now? More money? More experience? More adventure? More rest? Your answer can point you in the right direction.

 

You don’t need a perfect plan right now, but it’s worth weighing up if a gap year could be right for you. If so, it’s time to start researching your options and getting organised.

If you’re stuck in the decision-making lane, talk to people who’ve done it — a careers adviser, a family member, or even someone you follow online who’s been on a gap year. Real stories are often more useful than any guide.

 

Ready to explore your options?

A gap year isn’t for everyone and that’s fine. But if you’re curious, open-minded, and looking for a way to grow into yourself before diving into the next big thing, it might just be the best decision you ever make. Head to UCAS Gap Years or National Careers Service - Gap year advice to explore more ideas and find out what a gap year could look like for you.

 

Future Pathways: Not sure what direction to head in?

Answering a few questions can help you figure out what you actually want and what to do about it right now.

 

Thinking about your future can feel overwhelming, especially when everything still feels up in the air. But you don’t need to have it all figured out right now. Sometimes even if you do think you have it all sorted, things happen that you don’t expect, and that’s OK. Having a plan can help you to get started and navigate any bumps along the way.

 

Asking yourself the right questions is one of the most practical ways to get there. It helps you identify what you actually want, rather than defaulting to whatever seems easiest or most obvious. The goal isn’t to lock in a perfect plan. It’s to give yourself something useful to work with.

 

What to ask yourself

These initial questions are designed to get you thinking not stress you out. There are no right or wrong answers, and your responses will probably change over time. That’s completely fine.

Work through them honestly, and don’t overthink it. Even rough answers are useful.

 

1. How would you describe your future self? Think about your character — what kind of person do you want to be? Calm under pressure? Creative? Someone people can count on?

 

2. Where does your future self live? City or smaller town or rural? Close to family or somewhere new? Your location affects your options more than most people realise.

 

3. What job is your future self doing? It doesn’t have to be a specific job. Even a general job sector or type of work counts. You can utilise the quizzes on Unifrog to help you identify some potential options if you are not sure (doing the 3 main quizzes - Unifrog interests quiz , Unifrog personality quiz and Unifrog Work Environment quiz – will create a quiz profile with suggested jobs that could be a good fit for you )

 

4. How much does your future self earn? Money isn’t everything, but it matters. Think about the lifestyle you want and what that actually costs.

 

5. What does a typical day look like? Indoor or outdoor? Desk-based or on your feet? Working with people or independently? The day-to-day texture of a job is easy to overlook when you’re focused on the big picture. You can utilise the Unifrog Work Environment quiz to help you identify the best fit if you are not sure.

 

6. What has your future self achieved? This could be a qualification, a project, a business, a relationship, or a personal milestone. It’s your list — not anyone else’s.

 

What to do with your answers

Once you’ve worked through the questions, the next step is to reverse-engineer them. Start from where you want to end up and work backwards to what you can do right now.

If your future self is a nurse, or an engineer, or working in marketing what does that pathway actually involve? Research the qualifications, the entry requirements, and the subjects that will support you. That gives you something concrete to act on today, not someday in the future.

 

The same logic applies to the non-career aspects. If you want your future self to feel confident in social situations, that’s a skill you can start building now. If you want to be fitter and more active, you don’t need to wait until after school to begin.

 

The point isn’t to create a rigid plan you must stick to forever. It’s to give yourself a direction.

 

Keep revisiting

Your answers will change, that’s absolutely normal and expected. Goals shift as you learn more about yourself and the world. What matters is that you revisit these questions over time, as you progress through school and update your answers as you go.

If your thinking has shifted significantly since the last time, that’s actually useful information. It might mean you’ve grown, clarified what you want, or discovered something that changed your perspective.

 

Start exploring your options

If you’re starting to get a clearer picture of what you want, the next step is to explore what’s actually possible. Unifrog has a huge amount of information about the whole range of jobs out there in the world of work. Once you’ve done the quizzes, you could start with the careers library to look at specific jobs you’ve identified in more detail. There are also lots of practical opportunities through the Unifrog courses and Unifrog events sections to help your knowledge and skills that will carry you forward, whatever direction you choose.