FACT: 200,000 university applicants will end up without a place after this year’s results are published next month. With university prices set to rise in the following year, there has been a huge surge in applications for the coming academic year.

Because of this, there will unfortunately not be enough places to fulfil demands. This means that come August many college leavers will find themselves without a job or a university place. Niki Dadhley found herself in the same situation last year and filled the void of not going to university by taking a gap year instead, reapplying this year, and with the experience gained on her year out volunteering she is a lot more likely to get a place. Research shows that the trend for last minute ‘mini gap years’ like Niki’s will increase this autumn.

If you don’t get a place this year then do not worry, Richard Oliver from Year Out Group recommends taking a gap year; ‘Students taking a gap year straight from school arrive fresh, focused and succeed. They are far less likely to drop out of their chosen course and become jolly good students’.

So, come August 18th if you don’t get the results you are hoping for then give us a ring and we can help you boost your CV with a great experience of volunteering abroad. Take a look around our site in the meantime and see are range of great projects to inspire you!