What is the difference between a year abroad and a gap year?

A gap year usually takes place between a student leaving school and starting university. After three years of stress and public exams, many students seize the opportunity to plan the constructive and adventure-filled year of their choice before starting their degree course. Often students do paid work for six months to fund adventures for the rest of their year. Gap year programmes exist to help students go abroad and get out of their comfort zone, build schools, teach children English, work in animal sanctuaries and "discover themselves". The aim is to give the student some independence and real-life experience, making contacts, discovering their own values, becoming more mature and learning new skills before they commit to a 3-, 4-, or even 5-year degree course.

A year - or semester - abroad, on the other hand, is an opportunity for university students to study, work or volunteer abroad during their degree course. It's compulsory during a Modern Languages degree (both single and joint Honours) as students have to spend time in a country where their chosen language is spoken, in order to become fluent in the language and culture. Study abroad is becoming increasingly available to those students not studying languages who are given the opportunity to study in places like the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands during degree courses like History, Business and Medicine. Speak to your university International Office staff for more information.