Is taking a gap year half way through university a bad idea?
11
I’m a 2nd year studying History at UCL, but I don’t really enjoy my degree and I’m mostly doing it because I’m at my dream uni. I’m also unsure what I want to do with the degree, so I’m aiming for the best grade possible to keep my options open.
I’m considering taking a gap year (year in absence). My university allows this and isnt strict for some reason, and while I do have mitigating circumstances (low income background and increased caring responsibilities due to a family injury), I don't think I absolutely need it.
If I continue now, I would likely pass, but my final grade would be significantly lower than it could be if I took a gap year. A gap year would allow me to study properly once my caring responsibilities have ended.
I am concerned that taking longer than the standard time to complete my degree, even without failing or repeating a year, could disadvantage me when applying for competitive, higher-paying jobs. This is particularly worrying because one of my main and few advantages for such jobs is attending a target university (along side getting a good grade) and I don't want to waste it.
Is it better to risk lower grades by staying, or risk potential disadvantages from taking a gap year?
I’m considering taking a gap year (year in absence). My university allows this and isnt strict for some reason, and while I do have mitigating circumstances (low income background and increased caring responsibilities due to a family injury), I don't think I absolutely need it.
If I continue now, I would likely pass, but my final grade would be significantly lower than it could be if I took a gap year. A gap year would allow me to study properly once my caring responsibilities have ended.
I am concerned that taking longer than the standard time to complete my degree, even without failing or repeating a year, could disadvantage me when applying for competitive, higher-paying jobs. This is particularly worrying because one of my main and few advantages for such jobs is attending a target university (along side getting a good grade) and I don't want to waste it.
Is it better to risk lower grades by staying, or risk potential disadvantages from taking a gap year?
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 1
Original post
by sanwwioI’m a 2nd year studying History at UCL, but I don’t really enjoy my degree and I’m mostly doing it because I’m at my dream uni. I’m also unsure what I want to do with the degree, so I’m aiming for the best grade possible to keep my options open.
I’m considering taking a gap year (year in absence). My university allows this and isnt strict for some reason, and while I do have mitigating circumstances (low income background and increased caring responsibilities due to a family injury), I don't think I absolutely need it.
If I continue now, I would likely pass, but my final grade would be significantly lower than it could be if I took a gap year. A gap year would allow me to study properly once my caring responsibilities have ended.
I am concerned that taking longer than the standard time to complete my degree, even without failing or repeating a year, could disadvantage me when applying for competitive, higher-paying jobs. This is particularly worrying because one of my main and few advantages for such jobs is attending a target university (along side getting a good grade) and I don't want to waste it.
Is it better to risk lower grades by staying, or risk potential disadvantages from taking a gap year?
I’m considering taking a gap year (year in absence). My university allows this and isnt strict for some reason, and while I do have mitigating circumstances (low income background and increased caring responsibilities due to a family injury), I don't think I absolutely need it.
If I continue now, I would likely pass, but my final grade would be significantly lower than it could be if I took a gap year. A gap year would allow me to study properly once my caring responsibilities have ended.
I am concerned that taking longer than the standard time to complete my degree, even without failing or repeating a year, could disadvantage me when applying for competitive, higher-paying jobs. This is particularly worrying because one of my main and few advantages for such jobs is attending a target university (along side getting a good grade) and I don't want to waste it.
Is it better to risk lower grades by staying, or risk potential disadvantages from taking a gap year?
It’s completely understandable to weigh this decision carefully especially when you're at UCL, a competitive university where grades and timelines feel like they matter more than anything. The good thing is that neither option will “ruin” your prospects, and both are far more common than you think.
Taking a gap year is NOT viewed negatively by most employers
Many students take a year out due to:
•
caring responsibilities
•
health issues
•
financial pressures
•
Did you complete your degree?
•
Is your grade strong?
A significantly lower grade will affect competitive job prospects more than taking an extra year.
For many high‑paying grad schemes (civil service, consulting, banking), the degree class matters more than the exact timeline. A 2:1 or First from UCL holds real weight.
If staying this year means:
•
minimal studying
•
stress
•
lower marks than you’re capable of
this could close more doors than taking a year out and returning stronger so keep that in mind.
In the end its up to you to weigh up:
•
Stay now higher risk of a lower grade, burnout, or disengagement.
•
Take a year out slight graduation delay, but stronger grades and better wellbeing.
In the end it's a very personal decision but i hope I’ve helped!
Mandi - The University of Law
Original post
by sanwwioI’m a 2nd year studying History at UCL, but I don’t really enjoy my degree and I’m mostly doing it because I’m at my dream uni. I’m also unsure what I want to do with the degree, so I’m aiming for the best grade possible to keep my options open.
I’m considering taking a gap year (year in absence). My university allows this and isnt strict for some reason, and while I do have mitigating circumstances (low income background and increased caring responsibilities due to a family injury), I don't think I absolutely need it.
If I continue now, I would likely pass, but my final grade would be significantly lower than it could be if I took a gap year. A gap year would allow me to study properly once my caring responsibilities have ended.
I am concerned that taking longer than the standard time to complete my degree, even without failing or repeating a year, could disadvantage me when applying for competitive, higher-paying jobs. This is particularly worrying because one of my main and few advantages for such jobs is attending a target university (along side getting a good grade) and I don't want to waste it.
Is it better to risk lower grades by staying, or risk potential disadvantages from taking a gap year?
I’m considering taking a gap year (year in absence). My university allows this and isnt strict for some reason, and while I do have mitigating circumstances (low income background and increased caring responsibilities due to a family injury), I don't think I absolutely need it.
If I continue now, I would likely pass, but my final grade would be significantly lower than it could be if I took a gap year. A gap year would allow me to study properly once my caring responsibilities have ended.
I am concerned that taking longer than the standard time to complete my degree, even without failing or repeating a year, could disadvantage me when applying for competitive, higher-paying jobs. This is particularly worrying because one of my main and few advantages for such jobs is attending a target university (along side getting a good grade) and I don't want to waste it.
Is it better to risk lower grades by staying, or risk potential disadvantages from taking a gap year?
The things I would suggest considering are:
Do you have a concrete plan for what you are doing during that year?
If these are for caring responsibilities, is there a well defined end point for these before the end of the interruption year?
In terms of future impact, can the caring responsibilities be evidenced formally in any way?
And again in terms of future activities, are you specifically intending to pursue e.g. investment banking or management consulting roles, and have you looked at their requirements to see if they comment on expecting the degree to be completed in the normal length of time?
Finally for your own self overall: will returning to complete your course in a new cohort, who you may be unfamiliar with many of the people, after some or even many of your friends may have graduated and left, be something you can manage and maintain your own wellbeing in spite of?
I don't think it's necessarily unreasonable when applying to a job to briefly explain the "gap" that you had temporary caring responsibilities which are now resolved and that you then successfully completed the course afterwards. But there may be specific roles which take issue with this (I have seen a couple state they specifically expect the degree to be completed in the normal length of time, albeit this is very uncommon from what I've seen) and also you need be sure that all such responsibilities will be completed and cease before you returned (as if you're having to continue them anyway I'm not sure how strong and argument there is to take time out now anyway).
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