Reports of over 130,000 British students missing out on university places has prompted a surge in the number embarking from the UK on gap years abroad.  

The Guardian reported that some gap year travel firms have recorded a rise in interest by up to 75% due to the squeeze on university places, with most enquiries for schemes that include qualifications or paid employment.

PricewaterhouseCoopers – which offers a gap year programme to employees – saw an increase in internship interest by 30 per cent in August while Oyster Worldwide – which conducts both paid and volunteer programmes around the world – saw a boost in enquiries for paid work.

“In the last week I have noticed a 20% increase in phone calls and email inquiries about our paid work schemes – for example, working on farms in Australia or in Canadian ski resorts – but no change in those wanting to do voluntary work,” said Roger Salwey, Oyster Worldwide MD.

“One really good thing about the recession-forced gap year is that students will realise the importance of doing something structured and take a rather more serious approach than ’sand and sangria’,” said Richard Oliver, the Year Out Group chief. ”A gap year should be seen as time out, but not time off,” he said.