Gap Year Increase Predicted as Universities Slash Places

Feb. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- Thousands of would-be students look set to take gap years in 2010 as spending cuts intensify the competition for university places.

According to higher education body Universities UK, a combination of funding cuts and a 12 per cent increase in the number of applicants will dramatically intensify the competition for university places. Professor Steve Smith, president of Universities UK, predicts that more than 200,000 school-leavers could miss out on places at university.

With demand for places massively outstripping supply, thousands of school leavers are opting to take gap years after finishing their A Levels in order to boost their UCAS applications before applying to start university in 2011. Volunteer travel and gap year specialists i-to-i have already seen a 7 per cent rise in the number of people booking volunteer opportunities compared with this time last year.

The advantages of taking a gap year are massive: by taking a break between school and university, would-be students have an opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and build on the communication, leadership and teamwork skills which are so valued by admissions tutors.

Richard Oliver, Chief Executive of the Year Out Group, said: "Planning a gap year requires determination and commitment, while the experience and skills gained on a well-planned gap year enable the student to bring a wider, global perspective to their studies as well as greater maturity and increased self-confidence."

One of the most popular gap year options, which gives school-leavers all those benefits, is volunteering abroad. There’s a huge range of projects that need the help of enthusiastic volunteers: gap year travel specialists i-to-i offer over 200 volunteering opportunities across the globe, from helping out on community development projects in Kenya and conserving the rainforest in Ecuador, to teaching English in Vietnam and looking after lion cubs in South Africa. There’s no need to volunteer for a whole year either: trips range from 3 months to just 1 week long.

Philip Gillies, 18, from Glasgow, who volunteered with children in a township near Cape Town after finishing school, described it as “an unbelievable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.

Eighteen-year-old Katie Gray, who also took time out after finishing school, said helping out on a community development project in rural Ecuador was “a fantastic opportunity that cannot be beaten!”

“Doing the project and learning about different difficulties the children and people in the area faced made me feel very lucky for everything I have,” she added.

Bruce Haxton, operations director at i-to-i, said: “Taking time out between school and university to volunteer abroad can not only be a lot of fun, but is also a great opportunity for young people to make a difference to their own lives and the lives of others, boosting future university and job applications in the process.”

Those wanting more information about gap year opportunities with i-to-i should call their travel specialists on 0800 093 1505 or visit http://www.i-to-i.com.

For interviews, images or comments contact:
Honor Baldry
Marketing & PR
Email: honor.baldry@i-to-i.com
Phone: 0113 205 4623
http://www.i-to-i.com