Gap year before university

1

Hello,
I am currently studying A Levels in Year 12. I got reasonably high grades at GCSE (7-9s) while struggling with loads of external issues including illness and grief. I am now doing much better at college but I still have major health issues (which are chronic, so won’t go away, even with less stress). I want to apply for Cambridge, with Newcastle and Durham as my other options, and I hope I will get the grades I want and need for those two, but I'm accepting that the courses I want at Cambridge need A*A*A and that might be a push (currently working at A*AA but I'm accepting that this might go down if my health gets worse, which I can’t predict).
I was wondering if, by the end of A Levels, I might be so burnt out and have made so much myself worse that I would want to take a gap year, even if I’ve achieved the grades to get into one of my universities. I have ideas of what I could do during this time so I wouldn’t be doing nothing of value. Therefore, I wondered if it would be stupid and of no use to turn down a Cambridge offer to tell them I'm taking a gap year. Would they turn me down if I reapplied the next year after turning down a spot? From what I’ve read this isn’t the case with other universities, but I wondered if Cambridge would take another approach as they’re far more exclusive.

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

Hi you can apply for deferred entry to Cambridge, you can do this when you apply in autumn of year 13. This would allow you a gap year however for Cambridge I have heard it can be harder to get a place for deferred entry. They need to feel you are going to be as good or better than applications they may receive in the application cycle of the following year.
If you apply to start immediately following school and receive an offer from Cambridge but turn it down, there is no guarantee that you will receive an offer the following year.
Your teacher will have the opportunity to reference difficulties that you have had, so if you feel these are relevant when you are applying in Year 13, then you should discuss this with them before they are due to write your reference.

Reply 2

Kingston Sarah

Official Rep

14

Original post

by cathyem

Hello,
I am currently studying A Levels in Year 12. I got reasonably high grades at GCSE (7-9s) while struggling with loads of external issues including illness and grief. I am now doing much better at college but I still have major health issues (which are chronic, so won’t go away, even with less stress). I want to apply for Cambridge, with Newcastle and Durham as my other options, and I hope I will get the grades I want and need for those two, but I'm accepting that the courses I want at Cambridge need A*A*A and that might be a push (currently working at A*AA but I'm accepting that this might go down if my health gets worse, which I can’t predict).
I was wondering if, by the end of A Levels, I might be so burnt out and have made so much myself worse that I would want to take a gap year, even if I’ve achieved the grades to get into one of my universities. I have ideas of what I could do during this time so I wouldn’t be doing nothing of value. Therefore, I wondered if it would be stupid and of no use to turn down a Cambridge offer to tell them I'm taking a gap year. Would they turn me down if I reapplied the next year after turning down a spot? From what I’ve read this isn’t the case with other universities, but I wondered if Cambridge would take another approach as they’re far more exclusive.

Hi!

Prioritising your health and mental wellbeing is essential when you need it. This way you’ll feel less pressure when starting university after your gap year. You can apply for a deferred entry with the universities without having to reject your offers, this way you’re secured a place after your gap year instead of having to reapply.

-Sarah (Kingston Rep)

Reply 3

DurhamRep Rosie

Official Rep

8

Original post

by cathyem

Hello,
I am currently studying A Levels in Year 12. I got reasonably high grades at GCSE (7-9s) while struggling with loads of external issues including illness and grief. I am now doing much better at college but I still have major health issues (which are chronic, so won’t go away, even with less stress). I want to apply for Cambridge, with Newcastle and Durham as my other options, and I hope I will get the grades I want and need for those two, but I'm accepting that the courses I want at Cambridge need A*A*A and that might be a push (currently working at A*AA but I'm accepting that this might go down if my health gets worse, which I can’t predict).
I was wondering if, by the end of A Levels, I might be so burnt out and have made so much myself worse that I would want to take a gap year, even if I’ve achieved the grades to get into one of my universities. I have ideas of what I could do during this time so I wouldn’t be doing nothing of value. Therefore, I wondered if it would be stupid and of no use to turn down a Cambridge offer to tell them I'm taking a gap year. Would they turn me down if I reapplied the next year after turning down a spot? From what I’ve read this isn’t the case with other universities, but I wondered if Cambridge would take another approach as they’re far more exclusive.

Hi there!

I'm glad you're interested in applying to Durham - I study here and I love it!

Reading your post, it's clear you're working hard to reach your goals. Please do remember that your wellbeing is top priority, and this is worth more than any grade could be. ☺️

It is definitely possible to defer a place without having to reject - a friend of mine did this, and started the following September after working for a year, and loved it. They found it invaluable in terms of having time away from education to take part in hobbies, interests and personal development, and came to university feeling much more prepared than they would have otherwise. It can be a great option for so many different reasons.

I hope this is helpful, let me know if you have any questions.

-Rosie (DU representative)

Reply 4

TeesRepChloe1

Official Rep

5

Original post

by cathyem

Hello,
I am currently studying A Levels in Year 12. I got reasonably high grades at GCSE (7-9s) while struggling with loads of external issues including illness and grief. I am now doing much better at college but I still have major health issues (which are chronic, so won’t go away, even with less stress). I want to apply for Cambridge, with Newcastle and Durham as my other options, and I hope I will get the grades I want and need for those two, but I'm accepting that the courses I want at Cambridge need A*A*A and that might be a push (currently working at A*AA but I'm accepting that this might go down if my health gets worse, which I can’t predict).
I was wondering if, by the end of A Levels, I might be so burnt out and have made so much myself worse that I would want to take a gap year, even if I’ve achieved the grades to get into one of my universities. I have ideas of what I could do during this time so I wouldn’t be doing nothing of value. Therefore, I wondered if it would be stupid and of no use to turn down a Cambridge offer to tell them I'm taking a gap year. Would they turn me down if I reapplied the next year after turning down a spot? From what I’ve read this isn’t the case with other universities, but I wondered if Cambridge would take another approach as they’re far more exclusive.

Hello,

It’s really sensible that you’re thinking about this early, especially given ongoing health issues and the risk of burnout.

To answer your main question, turning down an offer does not automatically disadvantage you if you reapply. What matters is the strength of your application when you apply again.

That said, most universities generally expect applicants to apply with the intention of starting that year. If you already know you want a gap year, either deferring (if offered) or reapplying after the gap year is usually more appropriate than applying “just in case”. Deferrals are possible, but they’re not guaranteed and depend on the course, uni, and circumstances, so this is something to discuss directly with them.

A gap year taken for health reasons is not “wasted time”, especially if you have some kind of plan (work, volunteering, courses, etc.). Universities are far more understanding about this than many students expect.

Practical next steps:

•

Speak to your school/college UCAS adviser

•

Contact the admissions team or uni directly for guidance on deferrals

From experience, pushing through burnout often causes more harm than taking a step back. Prioritising your health is a sensible and mature decision.

Hope that helps, and best of luck with your applications.

– Chloe ✮

Gap year before university

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