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Gap Year Ideas: 10 Options After School Compared (Cost, Length and What You Gain)
Updated: 3 days ago
Short answer: the best gap year ideas are the ones that give you something concrete to show at the end – a language, work experience, independence or a clearer study plan. The most popular options are a language course abroad, a short structured programme, au pair work, a working holiday, volunteering, a job at home, an internship and travel. Many students now combine two or three of them in a "split" gap year.
This guide compares 10 options side by side, so students and parents can see quickly what each one costs, how long it takes and what it adds to a university application or CV. If you are wondering how long a gap year has to be, read Does a gap year have to last a whole year? first.
10 gap year ideas at a glance
Option | Typical length | Cost to you | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Language course abroad | 2–24 weeks | Medium to high | Fast language progress |
2. Short structured programme | 6–12 weeks | Medium, usually all-inclusive | Language, independence and travel in one block |
3. Au pair | 6–12 months | Low – host family covers room and board | Childcare experience and a language |
4. Working holiday | 6–12 months | Flights and savings to start | Independence and earning abroad |
5. Volunteering | 2 weeks–12 months | Free to high | Purpose and new skills |
6. Working and saving at home | Any | You earn money | Funding later plans and a CV |
7. Internship | 1–6 months | Often low or unpaid | Testing a career |
8. Independent travel | 2 weeks–6 months | Variable | Adventure and self-reliance |
9. Short courses and university prep | Any | Low to medium | Clarifying what to study |
10. Split gap year | 6–12 months | Mixed | Getting the best of several options |
1. A language course abroad
Language schools in cities such as London, Dublin, Malta, Nice or Valencia offer courses from two weeks to a full year, usually with a choice of host family or student residence. You can start almost any week and choose your own length.
Good for: fast progress in one language and a recognised certificate. Watch out for: classes and residences that mix students of all ages, and prices built from many separate items – course, accommodation, meals, activities, transfers and fees.
2. A short structured gap year programme
A newer option is a fixed programme of six to twelve weeks that combines teaching, accommodation, trips and supervision for one group of young people. It suits students who want a real experience abroad without committing to a whole year away.
Good for: a clear start and end date, a peer group of the same age and one all-inclusive price. Watch out for: fixed dates, and programmes that are mostly sightseeing with little real teaching. Our checklist How to choose a gap year programme abroad explains what to look for.
3. Au pair
Au pairs live with a host family, help with childcare and receive room, board and pocket money. It is one of the cheapest ways to spend a long time abroad and to become fluent in a language.
Good for: students who like children and want to stay six to twelve months. Watch out for: long hours, a lot of time alone with one family, and less contact with people your own age.
4. A working holiday
Working holiday visas let young people live and work in countries such as Australia, New Zealand or Canada for up to a year, with age limits and conditions that depend on your nationality. You pay for the flight and need savings to start, then earn as you go.
Good for: independence and real work experience. Watch out for: the distance from home, the cost of getting started and the time it takes to find a job.
5. Volunteering
Volunteering ranges from funded schemes – such as the European Solidarity Corps for young people living in the EU – to paid placements run by private organisations. Projects cover conservation, education, social work and more.
Good for: purpose, teamwork and a strong story for applications. Watch out for: expensive placements with little real impact. Check who benefits from the project and what you will actually do.
6. Working and saving at home
A job – in retail, hospitality, an office or a local business – is the most underrated gap year idea. It builds a CV, teaches responsibility and pays for travel or study later.
Good for: students who need to fund their plans. Watch out for: a year that drifts by with nothing else in it. Working is strongest combined with another option.
7. An internship
A short internship in a company, a lab or an organisation helps you test a career before choosing a degree. Many are short and some are unpaid, so they fit well into part of a gap year.
Good for: students unsure between two study paths. Watch out for: internships that are really unpaid admin work with no learning.
8. Independent travel
Backpacking, rail travel or a long trip with friends builds self-reliance fast. Young people in the EU can also apply for a free rail pass through DiscoverEU when they turn 18.
Good for: confidence and adventure. Watch out for: costs that add up quickly, and a trip that is fun but leaves little to show afterwards.
9. Short courses and university preparation
Online courses, summer schools, foundation programmes or a driving licence can all be part of a gap year. They are a cheap way to explore a subject before committing to a degree.
Good for: students who are not yet sure what to study. Watch out for: doing them alone at home – motivation can drop fast without structure.
10. A split gap year
Most gap years that work well are not one long activity but two or three blocks. Here is an example of how a year can look:
Period | Activity | What you gain |
|---|---|---|
September–November | 8-week English and travel programme in England | English, certificates, independence, friends from other countries |
December–February | Work and save at home | Money, a CV and responsibility |
March–April | Travel or volunteering | Adventure and new experiences |
May–August | Internship or summer job | Career clarity before university |
A split year keeps momentum, gives you something to write about in every application, and avoids the classic problem of a long gap year that loses direction.
How to choose the right idea
Start with two questions: what do you want to have at the end (a language, money, experience, a study plan?) and how long do you really want to be away? Then compare the options on length, total cost, who you will be with and how much support you get. For structured programmes, use our 7-point checklist.
A short option many families choose: LGN Beyond
LGN Beyond is our eight-week programme in England for 18–20-year-olds, from 20 September to 12 November 2027, based on Queen Ethelburga's campus near York. It combines four weeks of intensive English (25 hours a week) with Academic English, Business English, Creative Writing and Entrepreneurship, each with a certificate, plus five two-night city trips to London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester and the Lake District.
The price is €10,900 all-inclusive – accommodation, meals, teaching, trips, insurance and airport transfers – with only flights and spending money extra. It fits neatly into the first block of a split gap year, leaving the rest of the year free for work, travel or an internship.
LGN Beyond is new. The team behind it isn't. LGN Beyond is run by Let's Go Native. Our English camps for young people have more than 200 five-star reviews from parents and a 5.0 rating on Google and Trustpilot. Read what parents say or discover LGN Beyond.
More guides for students and parents
The Best Gap Year in England for 2027: LGN Beyond, 8 Weeks That Prepare You for What Comes Next
What to Do After School If You Don't Know What You Want to Study Yet
How to Improve Your English After School (Without Spending All Day in a Classroom)
Is Taking Time Out Before University a Good Idea? Pros, Cons and What to Do With It
Does a Gap Year Have to Last a Whole Year? Short Gap Year Options in England Compared
How Much Does a Gap Year Abroad Really Cost? A 2027 Budget Guide for Parents
How to Choose a Gap Year Programme Abroad: 7 Things to Look For (2027 Checklist)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best thing to do in a gap year?
The best gap year gives you something concrete at the end: a language, work experience, independence or a clearer study plan. For many students that means combining two or three options, such as a short programme abroad, a job and some travel.
How much does a gap year cost?
It depends entirely on the option. Working at home or being an au pair costs very little, while language courses, structured programmes and long trips cost more. Always compare the total cost, including accommodation, meals, travel and insurance, not just the headline price.
Is a gap year a good idea?
For most young people, yes – if it has a plan. A gap year with clear goals usually helps with motivation and maturity at university. A year with no structure is the main risk, which is why split gap years and short programmes are popular.
Do universities accept a gap year?
Yes. Universities generally accept gap years, and many allow you to apply now and defer your place by a year. What matters is being able to explain what you did and what you learned.
Can a gap year be shorter than a year?
Yes. A gap year can be anything from a few weeks to twelve months. Many students choose a short programme of six to twelve weeks and spend the rest of the time working, travelling or preparing for university.
What can I do in a gap year without much money?
Working and saving, being an au pair, funded volunteering and online courses are the cheapest options. Many students work for part of the year to pay for a short programme or a trip in the other part.
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