Will you take a gap year if university is still online in September?

I'm in the exact same position as you OP, I emailed the uni I'm meant to be going to & asked about a second deferral but was basically told 'you probably can't but I don't really know for sure' and then was told I would get clarity but emails have essentially been ignored (understand they're probably busy though).

Personally for me, if uni does start online or is radically different to normal, I'm prepared to reapply for 2021 and will do so if that is the case.

Don't think you've understood what I'm saying - I'm not arguing that the year 12s are the only people being affected by the coronavirus - that would be ridiculous! But dismissing it as 'work experience at daddy's consultancy firm' is not fair - if these people can't get into uni (because they will undoubtedly have weaker applications than year 13s who already completed all their extracurricular activities and have been successful in gaining a place once), they won't be able to get the jobs in the first place. I just like to think that we can all be compassionate and look out for each other, and not be absorbed in always doing what will benefit us when it will make it a harder time for others, that's all.

I really don't know. I basically have four things I need to go to uni in September for my MA at Warwick -- I need a room in halls, I need majority in-person lectures and seminars, I need access to a library, and I need at least a little regular play with cafes and shops so I can live vaguely normally at my new uni.
I'm fine to wear masks, I'm fine to not go clubbing or drinking, I'm fine with social distancing continuing to whatever degree it needs to. But I can't do remote learning from home. I can't do online classes (trust me, I've tried). I can't work without a dedicated study space and access to physical texts, and I don't know what i'd do for socialising or general survival without at least access to cafes and shops to some degree.

Without all of those four (or at least the first three are non-negotiable), I'll defer my place for a year and carry on my education once things are a little more stable. But this is just my breaking point -- these are the things I would need for a successful year, the things I know I can't do my degree without. it's going to end up different for everyone, but that's something worth working out if you're unsure like me -- what are the things you absolutely need and cannot study without? Have a baseline that needs to be sorted out, and if that baseline cannot be crossed, consider deferring. <3

this is poor, you care more about 1 week of freshers week and moving in rather than the education for your future job :/. A whole year just for 1 week of freshers ???

People are expressing concerns here about remote learning/access to facilities and online classes just as much as the (still very important) social aspect of uni.

But Freshers isn't the whole aspect of university, its only a snip of it. Mainly the social aspect is from joining clubs and societies but from what I've read in the thread most people care about freshers rather than those other social aspects

I think thats a really bold move, to be honest. As previously mentioned, the 2021 year will be incredibly competitive due to the current y12 and the predicted mass deferral of y13. You're not guaranteed a university place and throwing what you already have away is a very risky move.

I don't particularly feel it is, having already achieved my results places me in a stronger position than those with predicted grades as well as against the current year 13 who aren't taking exams & therefore technically not scrutinised academically as myself. Aside from the fact that my grades exceed entry requirements and have kept up academic activity within my time off. Its a personal decision and yes, obviously I understand not everyone feels the same, but equally, for me, I don't believe starting university online would be beneficial or the best way of learning for me personally

same man. Online learning is a big no no

I notice there are a lot of students already in the university system, as a prospective student could you please give me some advice? I have been accepted to UCL and am still undecided if I want to attend uni this year. A gap year would seem viable if I could actually do something like travel. I’m worried about the fact UCL is competitive and I won’t be able to get in next year. Especially with what Cambridge have said, I’m not sure I want to spend 9 grand for half a year of home study. Any advice would be really appreciated.

1) What course is it?
2) Wait until you get details on what's happening.
3) You may as well go if the chances of you actually doing something productive during your gap year are slim.

(Original post by TigerRoll)
1) What course is it?
2) Wait until you get details on what's happening.
3) You may as well go if the chances of you actually doing something productive during your gap year are slim.
1. History, politics and economics
2. The deadline for applying for funding is the end of the month, so effectively i need to be certain by the end of the month.
3. It’s not really a matter of productivity but rather financial competence, paying money for something that isn’t worth it. Spending a year at home allows me to earn money and perhaps towards the end of the year go abroad travelling.

As in student loans? Were you not planning to apply for a loan regardless? You can always change your mind later.

I understand what you mean, I really do. But you aren't paying out of pocket, it will just go to a student debt that I doubt you'll be paying back in full. Also, realistically, how likely is it that you will actually be able to get a job? If you are sure you won't be spending six months at home job hunting and they potentially paying way more than normal to go travelling in whatever countries will let you in, by all means take a gap year. However, I would still wait a bit more before making any big decisions bar starting to look for a job right now.