Three steps to help your child decide whether to defer their university place

Deferring from university is when a student applies for a university course in one year but intends to start the course the next; in other words, taking a year out. They might do this for a number of reasons, though the most popular is to take a gap year and gain broader practical experience before continuing their further education. So a student might apply to university one year with the aim of starting the following one. This gives them the security of a confirmed place, while allowing a year-long break between finishing sixth form and beginning further education.

This time out might give them a chance to travel, volunteer, earn money, and develop or learn new skills that help them get more out of their studies later.

Students can:

• apply for a deferred place when they make their application

• change their mind after applying and apply to defer their place later

• withdraw a deferred application and start university the same year

For the latter two options, they must contact the university directly.

How does the process work?

The typical way to defer is to choose the deferred entry start date when making an application through UCAS. Usually, students provide clear reasons for deferring in their personal statement, along with their plans for the time. Applications for deferred entry go through the same process as ordinary applications: students receive offers and confirm their choices by the UCAS deadlines. If they achieve the grades set out in their offer, their place is secured for the following year.

Can my child defer if they’ve already confirmed their choices through UCAS?

If your child decides to defer after their application has been submitted, they’ll need to contact their chosen university directly. The university will likely ask for clear reasons, so it’s important your child can articulate these before making the call. Some universities may not allow deferral at this point and may decline the request. If that happens and your child still wants to start the following year, they’ll need to withdraw their application and reapply next year as an independent student.

Can they defer after getting their results?

If, on receiving their results, your child chooses to defer their place, they’ll need to contact the university directly and seek advice.

Can my child apply for deferral through Clearing?

Your child won’t be able to apply for a deferred place through Clearing. Clearing is designed to fill university courses for the same academic year, and is typically for students who missed out on a place on their original course or have changed their mind.

What if my child deferred their place but wants to start this year?

If your child has an offer for a deferred place but now wants to start their course this year, they’ll need to contact the university directly and explain their reasons. This will depend largely on whether the university has places available to change the conditions set out in their original offer.

Alternatively, your child could start the current academic year by finding an available course through Clearing.

What if my child can’t defer their current offer but still wants to start next year?

If your child is set on starting university next year but is unable to defer their current offer, they can choose to withdraw their application and reapply next year as an independent student. One positive is that they’ll already know their grades and have more time to think about where and what they might want to study. However, places can be competitive, and there’s no guarantee they’ll receive the same offer if they apply to the same universities again.

Final words

If your child is still unsure whether to defer, a good starting point is to focus on their alternative options. Can they come up with a strong plan for how they’d like to spend the next year? For some, applying for a deferral will be the right choice, even if it means reapplying to university next year. Ultimately, the decision to defer is a personal one, and one your child will need to make for themselves.

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