Defer university place after acceptance?

If I get my results and decide I want to take a gap year, can I still defer my university place after results day, or should I decide earlier? How late is too late to make this decision?

You absolutely can defer your university place after results day, however, it largely depends on the university. While some universities might be flexible about this decision even after results day, others may require you to make your request for deferral before a specified deadline, which could be before your results are out.

To navigate this, your first step should be to get in touch with the Admissions Office of your chosen university as early as possible to enquire about their deferral policies. It's best not to wait until results day to do this. Some schools prefer students to indicate their intent to defer at the time they accept their offer of admission. Late requests for deferrals might be rejected if course spaces for the following year are projected to be full.

The key is to understand the specific policies of your chosen university, make an informed decision about your gap year, and communicate with the university clearly and promptly. If you need advice on how to make your deferral request, or what you could do during your gap year, don't hesitate to reach out to a college counselor - they can be excellent resources during this process.