A Guide to Deferring University

A university deferral refers to a delay or postponement of your studies. The most common reason for deferral is for a gap year. This is a year between leaving school and starting university when many students take the opportunity to work, travel and gain personal and professional experience ahead of their degree. Other reasons to defer might be military service or medical issues. For whatever reason, the offer of a deferred place means the university will hold the student’s place for a future intake, provided they meet the academic criteria.

In this guide, we explain the Pros and Cons of deferring.

A gap year is a popular choice for personal growth, to gain work experience and earn money, to further your knowledge in your intended field of study or take up a valuable internship. Many UK students will earn money for six months or so and then travel, typically for 3-6 months, often taking part in volunteer programmes overseas.

Important note:

You would typically apply for deferred entry during the initial application process – via UCAS – to start the following year. A deferral request is for someone who has already received an offer and wants to postpone their start date.

How does deferred entry work?

You will apply for a deferred place on the course you want to study at your choice of university while in your final year of school via UCAS.

You will have to meet the same conditions and entry requirements for applicants beginning in the next academic year, but you will be given the option to defer, and if accepted, you will begin the following academic year. For example, you could apply in November of 2025 for a course that starts in September 2027.

Your other option is to apply after your A-levels or IB Diploma, once applications have opened for the next year, ie during your gap year.

UK university undergraduate deferral policies vary so it is best to contact your specific university to understand their rules.

Please click here to find out more information from UCAS about deferrals.

Here are a few examples of UK university deferred entry admissions rules for undergraduates (the rules vary again for graduates):

King’s College London will accept deferred entry requests from students wanting to take a gap year; however, deferrals may not be granted on competitive health courses such as dentistry or medicine. A deferral of two academic years will usually only be considered if an applicant is completing compulsory national or military service which exceeds 12 months. King’s will allow a deferral of one academic year for compulsory military service for medicine and dentistry applicants.

Edinburgh University welcomes undergraduate applying for deferred entry; the deadline to do so is the UCAS equal considerations deadline, typically in mid-January. The university will only consider requests for deferred entry after this date where there are exceptional circumstances. Applicants for veterinary medicine or EU or international applicants to medicine will not be considered for deferred entry. If they wish to have a year out, they must apply during their gap year.

The London School of Economics accepts deferred entry requests for undergraduate courses through UCAS with all applications in by the UCAS full and equal consideration deadline in mid-January. LSE will not consider two-year deferrals under any circumstances.

The University of Oxford permits deferred entry for undergraduates via the UCAS application process for most courses, though it is not allowed for History of Art, Fine Art and graduate-entry medicine. Deferred entry is highly competitive, however, making a successful application is seen as slightly more difficult since the college is effectively committing to a decision on your application before they have seen other students applying in the following year. And tutors might want to see a detailed plan of what you will do on your year out. The university recommends that you check with your course department first.

How often can you defer?

Usually, you can only defer your entry by one year, and it’s up to the university or college whether they accept it for your course.

The conditions of your offer won’t change even though the date does. For example, if your conditional offer is based on attaining ABB in 2026 to start your deferred course in 2027, you must attain those grades in 2026 to secure your deferred place.

If you’re applying for a conservatoire course, you’ll need to speak with the conservatoire directly to request a deferred entry. It’s not an option in the standard conservatoire application process.

Pros of deferred entry:

A chance to retake exams

For some students, deferment is a chance to retake exams. Whether you didn’t receive high enough grades to get into your first-choice university or you simply want to pull up on subject by a few grades, a gap year is a great opportunity to do this. Simply Learning Tuition can help with A-level retakes. We have a number of private tutors who specialise in this area and you can read more about our retake service HERE.

If you would like to discuss retakes, please call one of our consultants on 020 7350 1981 or use our online enquiry form.

Peace of mind

Securing your place at university will give you peace of mind. Applying for deferred entry while still in education means you can take a gap year safe in the knowledge that you have a university course waiting for you on your return.

A chance to renew and reset

Many pupils benefit from a year ‘off’ after the hard work and stresses of more than a decade of formal education. It’s often a chance for students to return to their studies with clearer goals, new perspectives and renewed energy.

More time to decide

If you don’t feel ready for university, or if you are unsure about your chosen course, deferring can give you more time to decide what it is you want to do.

If you are thinking of deferring because you are unsure about which degree to study, spend your gap year gaining work experience and researching possible courses. This will help you to make an informed decision. Deferring university can be a good way to take the pressure off for some students. It’s very much about individual choice.

You will benefit from your school’s support

Applications for deferred entry take place when you are still at school. This means you will have the support of your school or college during the application process; teachers can write your reference and help with your Personal Statement. If you wait until you have left school and apply during your gap year or later, your old school may not be willing or able to help.

Gain experience and earn money

A gap year is a great time to dip your toe into the working world, gain valuable experience and earn money for travel or university expenses.

Travel and broaden your horizons

It is a fantastic opportunity to travel, see the world and experience new cultures and gain valuable life skills.

Gain maturity and confidence

A year out between school and university is a value time to grow up and gain confidence by working and travelling. It means you start university more independent and resilient.

Improve your skill set

A planned gap year can help with acquiring new professional skills and all work experience and being part of a professional team will help with your communication skills

Cons of deferring your university place:

It’s not the best option for all courses

While many universities welcome deferred entry for students who can evidence a good reason for wanting to take a gap year, some courses – like medicine, mathematics or natural sciences – may require a sound reason for deferring entry such as completing a work placement.

Lack of a plan

A successful gap year requires a great game plan; otherwise, it can be unproductive. Make sure to think ahead about what it is you want to do before your gap year has started, talk with your form tutor or careers adviser for some ideas about what would make a good gap year.

Delayed entry into the job market

This is an important consideration; deferring university by a year delays starting your career and this could have a knock-on effect on your earning potential. Others might argue, though, that a productive gap year with relevant work experience puts you ahead in the job market when you have finished your degree.

Academic engagement can decrease

For some students, a year out can lead to difficulty re-engaging with academic life. This isn’t necessarily bad if it is replaced with new focus on a job, for example, but it does matter if you go to university without the necessary focus and drive to achieve good grades and gain a good degree.

FOMO and loneliness

While you are stuck at home job-hunting, lots of your friends might be enjoying freshers’ week. Be careful not to be out of sync with your peer group and the opportunities that might arise from starting university at the same time as the majority of them.

How Simply Learning Tuition Can Help

Simply Learning Tuition can help with bespoke Gap Year plans, whether it’s to help with retakes, advice on exciting activities, short-service commissions, internships or a strategy for university. We can help students who want to make the most of this exciting time.

Simply call us on 020 7350 1981 or email office@simplylearningtuition.co.uk. We would welcome your call.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you defer your university offer after accepting your place?

Yes, you can typically defer your accepted undergraduate offer, but you must formally request this with the admissions office as soon as possible and wait for their approval. The steps to take are:

Accept the offer of admission
Contact the university to ask about deferring and understand their specific policies
Submit a formal request in writing
Meet all academic conditions
Pay deposits – pay any tuition fee deposits required to secure your deferred place.

When’s the latest you can defer university?

You will have the same deadlines for the year in which you are applying. For example, if you are applying in 2025/26 for the 2026 university year, but wish to defer entry until 2027, your deadline for applying as a deferred student will be the same as for non-deferring students. Note, universities do accept applications after the equal consideration mid-January deadline but applications are then judged on a first-come, first-served basis so it is important to meet the UCAS deadline.

Can you defer if you’ve already applied for a course?

Yes, you can. If you do decide to defer, but have already sent in your application, contact your chosen university. Let them know of the change. You’ll usually be asked to provide a reason.

Can you defer a year at university after beginning your course?

This will depend on the university’s policy. Talk to your university first. Consider the options you have, which may be deferring and restarting the following year or leaving university and reapplying for the following year.

How many years can you defer university for?

Usually you can defer university for a year. This will depend on the institution you’re applying to and the availability of the course the following year.

Should you defer?

The choice is yours. Make sure to gather all the pros and cons before making your decision. Talk to friends and family, find out what worked for them. And remember, there isn’t a right or wrong here, it’s about what works best for you.