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Is Taking Time Out Before University a Good Idea? Pros, Cons and What to Do With It
Updated: 3 days ago
Short answer: taking time out before university is a good idea if it has structure and purpose – a clear goal, a plan for the months, and a date when you will apply or start. Used well, a break builds maturity, independence, skills and a clearer choice of degree. Without a plan, the main risk is losing momentum.
Many students and parents worry that a break will "waste a year". In practice, what matters is not whether you take time out, but what you do with it.
The pros and cons at a glance
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
You choose your degree with more information | You may lose study momentum |
You gain maturity and independence | Friends move on to university first |
You build skills like English, work experience and confidence | It can cost money if you travel |
You recover after years of exams | Without a plan, months can drift |
You have a stronger story for applications and CVs | You start working life a little later |
The benefits of taking time out
A better choice of degree. Trying work, courses or time abroad gives you real information about what you enjoy. Students who choose with more experience are often less likely to switch later.
Maturity and independence. Managing your own time, money and daily life – especially away from home – builds confidence that helps enormously at university.
Skills that last. Fluent English, work experience, teamwork and communication are useful whatever you study. See How to improve your English after school.
A real rest. After years of exams, a few months of something completely different can bring back motivation.
The risks – and how to avoid them
Losing momentum. Keep your brain active with a course, a project or a programme with real teaching.
Drifting. Plan the year in blocks, with something specific in each one, and set a date to apply.
Cost. Balance more expensive parts, like time abroad, with work that earns money. Our gap year budget guide shows what things really cost.
Feeling left behind. Many students who take time out say they started university more motivated, not less. A short break of a few months is also an option – see Does a gap year have to last a whole year?
What makes time out worthwhile: the 3-part test
Before you decide, check that your plan has:
A goal: what do you want to have at the end – a language, money, experience, a study plan?
Structure: what will you actually do each month, and with whom?
A deadline: when will you apply, accept a place or start your next step?
If your plan passes all three, time out is very likely to be worth it.
What to do with your time out
Popular options include work, internships, volunteering, a language course or structured programme abroad, au pair work and travel. Many students combine two or three. Here is a simple example:
Months | Activity | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
September–November | Short structured programme abroad | English, certificates, independence |
December–March | Work and save | Money, responsibility, a CV |
April–May | Travel or volunteering | Confidence and new experiences |
June–August | Internship or summer job, then start university | Career clarity and a strong start |
For more ideas, read Gap year ideas: 10 options compared.
What universities and employers think
Universities generally accept time out, and employers often value what students learn from work, travel and responsibility. What they want to hear is simple: what you did, why, and what you learned. A break with a clear story is an advantage, not a gap.
A short, structured option: LGN Beyond
LGN Beyond is designed for exactly this kind of purposeful break. It is an eight-week programme in England for 18–20-year-olds, from 20 September to 12 November 2027, on Queen Ethelburga's campus near York: four weeks of intensive English (25 hours a week), then 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.
It passes the 3-part test by design – a goal, a full structure and a fixed end date – and leaves most of the year free for work, travel or university preparation. The price is €10,900 all-inclusive, with only flights and spending money extra.
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)
Gap Year Ideas: 10 Options After School Compared (Cost, Length and What You Gain)
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
Is it a good idea to take time out before university?
Yes, for most students – if the time has a goal, a structure and a deadline. A purposeful break builds maturity, skills and a clearer choice of degree. A break with no plan is the main risk.
What are the disadvantages of taking a year out?
The main risks are losing study momentum, drifting without a plan, the cost of travel and starting university a year after friends. All of them can be reduced with a clear plan, some structured learning and work to fund the expensive parts.
Do students who take time out do better at university?
Many students say they start university more motivated and mature after a well-used break. The difference comes from what they did with the time, not from the break itself.
How long should time out before university be?
Anything from a few months to a full year can work. Many students now choose a short structured programme of six to twelve weeks and combine it with work, travel or an internship for the rest of the time.
What should I do during a year out?
Combine activities that build different things: a programme or course for skills, work for money and responsibility, and travel or volunteering for experience. Plan the year in blocks and set a date to apply.
Will a year out affect my university application?
Usually not, and it can help. Universities generally accept time out, and many allow you to apply now and defer. Be ready to explain what you did and what you learned.
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