UCAS, the UK university application system, UK has released figures which show that the number of students opting to take a year out has risen by 7.3 per cent. The gap year is popular with students wishing to travel before starting college. Only an estimated 5 per cent of students who chose to defer university entry were involved in organised projects abroad such as those organised by Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). At present the trend seems to be for young people to travel to and work in English speaking-countries in North America, Australia or New Zealand, where the emphasis is more on having fun and enjoying a light-hearted year before study.

Some students use a year out to earn some money to ease their financial burdens.