Real Gap offers A level students relief from university application grief

As A level students across the country knuckle down to revise for end of year exams, many will be aware that good results may no longer be enough to guarantee a university place. Last year record numbers of applicants flooded universities leaving 30,000 high achievers without a place and as recent analysis predicts that a further 50,000 more sixth-formers will miss out this year, prospects seem bleak for university hopefuls.*

In January this year UCAS announced that they had received 570,000 applications, a significant increase on the 464,000 applications received at the same time last year and a huge strain on universities with only 443,000 places available. In her first interview as head of UCAS, Mary Curnock Cook stated that students may have to ‘reappraise their aspirations’ as the increase would make entrance ‘more competitive’.*

Ms Curnock Cook also acknowledged the increasing popularity and benefits of taking a gap year before resuming education ‘It has become more and more common for people to go into higher education at a later stage. It can be a good thing too. There’s always been a pattern that people come back to learning later in life.’

Gap year travel has long been acknowledged as a great way to improve cultural knowledge and broaden horizons. For those whose university hopes have been dashed, it can also be a good way to gain skills that will make them stand out from the crowd when it comes to reapplying and seeking employment. Entrants who have used their time wisely by setting off on volunteer projects and worthwhile travel experiences will have a much greater chance of success.

Companies such as leading UK gap year provider Real Gap offer a range of trips in over 35 destinations across the globe that allow explorers to combine life changing travel with the opportunity to develop useful skills. Volunteer projects include English teaching, wildlife conservation, sports and community work based programmes where participants can immerse themselves in local culture and gain experience relevant to their chosen subject or vocation.

Real Gap also offers an array of courses for gap year travellers who want to enhance their CVs or even test drive a new career. Explorers can take the plunge and become a certified Divemaster with a range of scuba diving courses in Thailand, learn what it takes to be a real life game ranger in South Africa or add a linguistic string to their bow with an Argentina Spanish language course.

School leavers who are looking at taking a breather and gaining some experience can find out more about Real Gap’s travel options at the company website here http://www.realgap.co.uk or by calling 01892 516164 to speak to an expert adviser.

* Figures sourced from: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article7064771.ece