Gap Year
Reference sources
Lots of information out there, but here are a few to kickstart your search:
Advice
https://university.which.co.uk/advice/ucas-application/how-do-universities-view-gap-years
https://www.ucas.com/alternatives/gap-year
http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/gap-years.html
http://www.applytouni.com/applying/applying-advice/applying-to-university-after-a-gap-year/
https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/when-apply/deferred-entry
https://www.topuniversities.com/blog/what-gap-year
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/gap-year
https://yearoutgroup.org/
Ideas
https://raleighinternational.org/
https://www.bunac.org/uk - volunteer and working abroad
https://www.culturalcare.co.uk/ - cultural care au pair
https://www.push.co.uk/gap-years.html
https://www.studential.com/gap-year-ideas
https://www.realgap.co.uk/paid-work
https://gapforce.org/gb/gap-year-programs
https://www.theguardian.com/education/gapyears
https://www.omio.com/travel/gap-year
https://www.goabroad.com/articles/gap-year/best-gap-year-programs
https://www.gooverseas.com/gap-year
https://www.gapyear.com/
https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2016/jun/09/gap-year-boosts-your-future-career
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/aug/11/need-some-perspective-before-university-take-a-gap-year
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/sep/08/backpacking-basics-visas-money-tickets-health-insurance
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/gap-year/gap-year-ideas
https://www.wintersportscompany.com/plan-gap-year/ - all things skiing/snowboarding
Employer led Gap Year programs
Year in Industry - provides paid, degree-relevant work placements for students in the year out before or during their degree course. Need to register for further information.
IBM Futures 12 month placement scheme
Futures scheme offer 12 months placements in their Business and Technology sectors. It is worth noting that IBM advertised applications to their Futures to Apprenticeship Scheme, which were designated "application by invitation only". These roles were only open to those that had completed the IBM UK Futures Scheme and wanting to progress to the Apprenticeship Scheme. You might be uncertain about whether to start work, complete an apprenticeship or go to university, if that's you and you are unsure of what to do next, IBM’s Futures roles might be an option.