Gap Year News Articles

Impact of Cable's two year degree scheme on gap years

15 Jul 2010

Business Secretary Vince Cable is expected to propose the introduction of low-cost two-year degree courses during his first Coalition Government speech on higher education today. But what impact will this have on students considering taking a gap year?

Dr Terence Kealey, vice-chancellor of the private Buckingham University, suggested that "instead of a gap year, people may work for two years and then take a two-year degree when they are a bit older." But other commentators disagree - highlighting that under the new scheme, students will be able to embark on a gap year and complete a degree in three years. They would therefore graduate at the same time as students doing a traditional three-year degree course, and have all of the usual advantages that gap year students benefit from, such as increased confidence and employability, maturity and life experience.