More students 'using gap years for work experience'

More students are beginning to use their gap years to gain valuable experience in the field they would eventually like to work in, one expert has stated.

According to the founder of gapyear.com, Tom Griffiths, the market has changed in recent years, with work experience and earning money before going to university becoming top priorities.

'We see a lot of people taking a gap year to do work experience. People do work experience and find out what it's like to be a lawyer [for example],' he said.

Mr Griffiths added that students have not been put off travelling by rising university costs, but warned subsidising a year abroad is imperative.

'If you are worried about student debt, as some are, being able to fund your way as you travel is quite important,' he remarked.

However, Mr Griffiths noted that travelling abroad is 'a great opportunity', describing the countries frequented by gap-year students as 'incredible.'

Between 2006 and 2007 24% of students took a gap year, figures from NatWest indicate.