Gap years have become more and more common in recent years. This is great news for adventurous students, but bad news for job-seekers who had hoped that their gap-year travels would give them an edge.

The fact is that gap years are now so commonplace that you have to plan them very carefully if you want them to add value to your CV. So let us advise you on the best ways to use your time out and impress potential employers at the same time.

• The value of a gap year
• Gap years abroad
• Gap years in the UK
• Avoiding common mistakes

Gap-year organisations

There are lots of organisations that can help you organise a gap year overseas or at home, including:

STA Travel
STA Travel are the world leaders in travel for students and graduates with exclusive discounts on flights, accommodation, overland tours and more. When you graduate remember there’s more to life than just working! The world is your oyster – get out there and taste it!

BUNAC
BUNAC is a non-profit, member club which has been offering work and travel programmes abroad for students and other young people for over 40 years. BUNAC enables young people to take up a variety of paid work and volunteer opportunities.

VSO
VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers. You can meet representatives of VSO at a series of special events throughout the UK.

CSV
As a national organisation CSV has over 40 years’ professional experience of providing structured and supervised graduate placements and gap-year opportunities.

Raleigh International
Raleigh International is a charity with over 22 years’ experience of running expeditions to destinations including Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Malaysia and India, where volunteers complete sustainable community and environmental projects, and an adventure challenge.