Taking a Gap Year: Deferring Your Place at Lancaster University

Taking a gap year before starting university can be a great way to gain new experiences, develop skills and mature as a person. If you are considering taking a gap year before starting your studies at Lancaster University, there are a few things you should know about deferring your place and reserving your student accommodation.

What is deferring?

Deferring your place at university is common amongst students who want to take some time out of studying, but still are passionate about getting a degree in a chosen subject.

If you apply to University and then “defer” it means that you can take a year out before starting your course without losing your place, which is great news if you fancy taking a year to pursue your other passions. You can defer for a number of reasons such as to travel, gain work experience or take the time to focus on your own personal development. Whatever your reason for deferring, it is important to remember that you need to make the decision early, you will need to apply for deferral before your university course begins. You can do this by contacting Lancaster University and requesting a deferral. This will ensure that your place is secured for the following year, allowing you to take a gap year without worrying about re-applying or interviewing during your time out of education.

Student Accommodation in Lancaster

Once you have deferred your place at Lancaster University, you can start to think about reserving your student accommodation. Bailrigg Student Living is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a convenient and stress free student flat in Lancaster. With a range of student rooms available, from self-contained studio apartments to shared flats, there is something to suit everyone. If you’ve decided to defer and are looking to reserve your student room at Bailrigg Student Living for the 2024/2025 academic year, you can get in touch with the team and we will be happy to help you with the process and show you our luxury student accommodation.

The Gap Year

You’re all sorted, you have your place secured on your university course and you’ve reserved your accommodation. There is nothing to worry about apart from how you want to spend your year out!

One of the main benefits of taking a gap year before starting university is that it can help you to prepare for your course. For example, if you are planning on studying business studies and want to hit the ground running after you graduate, taking a year out to gain work experience can be extremely valuable. Whilst it seems daunting, it’s easier to find a placement at a business than you might think, many large corporations and small businesses offer opportunities, so it's worth doing some research to find the best fit for you.

Working for a year before you start your University course will give you a chance to develop your skills in a real-life setting and gain a deeper understanding of how businesses operate. You will make contacts and understand which areas of business you want to focus on when you are at University.

Similarly, if you are planning on studying Spanish, spending a year in Spain can be an excellent way to improve your language skills and gain cultural insights that will enhance your knowledge and understanding before you start your course.

Or if you are planning on taking a zoology course, volunteering with wildlife can provide you with hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the subject. From wildlife sanctuaries to conservation projects, there are a wide range of organisations that can help you develop your skills and knowledge of the animal world.

There are even opportunities to volunteer abroad through companies such as “Real Gap” or “Gapforse” where you can choose to volunteer with specific animals, conservation projects or on nature reserves across Africa and Asia.

Finding Your Passion

Taking a gap year is not always about gaining new experiences that are directly related to your course. It is a wider opportunity to develop important life skills such as independence, self-confidence, and resilience and many people take a year out to understand themselves better and take stock of their achievements so far. One of the best ways to do this is by living independently for a year, this can help you to mature and develop your own sense of identity and it’ll give you vital skills which many of your flatmates at Lancaster Uni won’t have acquired (you’ll be the first person to turn to when they can’t work out how to use the laundry room!). You may also discover new interests and passions that you didn't know you had, which might even encourage you to change your mind and choose a different course from the one you have applied for and help you a more fulfilling career path in the future.

Embarking on a gap year before starting your studies at Lancaster University can be a great way to gain new experiences, find adventure, develop important skills and mature as a person. Whether you choose to find the perfect company to set you up with work experience, travel the globe or volunteer, there are countless opportunities available that can help you to prepare for your course and gain a deeper understanding of your subject. By deferring your place and reserving your student accommodation at Bailrigg Student Living, you can ensure that you have a comfortable and secure place to live when you start university without worrying. So why not take the plunge and start planning your gap year today? The possibilities are endless!