Gap-year. The exact definition of the term “gap-year” varies, but is commonly used to describe taking time out from formal studies, prior to starting university (Birch & Xxxxxx, 2007) and is usually spent undertaking paid employment, voluntary work or travel (Heath, 2007). Proponents of the gap-year, claim those taking them have greater maturity than those who do not, are less distracted by university life and are less likely to drop-out, though there is a lack of academic research in this area (Heath, 2007). Data from two large surveys, the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England (LSYPE) and the British Cohort Study (BCS), were used to analyse the characteristics and outcomes of UK gap-year xxxxxx (Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx, 2012). No difference in prior academic attainment was observed between gap-year takers and non-takers, in the case of the LSYPE data, however, the BCS analysis observed gap-year takers to have lower prior attainment. Over 80% of individuals undertook work during their gap-year, though gaining independence and having a break from education were the most common reasons for taking the year-out, rather than earning money for university (Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx, 2012). This observation was supported by Xxxx (2011), who undertook unstructured interviews, with 23 English university students, and reported gap-year applicants had increased confidence, maturity and independence. Those BCS participants taking a gap-year were observed to be more likely to obtain a first or second-class degree, compared to those entering straight from school, though the authors noted that the quality of degree varied between universities, reducing the validity of this observation (Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx, 2012). Similarly, Xxxxx & Xxxxxx (2007) analysed the academic performance of 6896 Australian undergraduates, and observed gap-year takers performed better in first-year exams, particularly male students who were low-performing at school.
