gap year travel groups

All Gap Year Programs | 2024-2025

What are you interested in.

• Adventure Travel
• Marine Conservation
• Outdoor Courses
• Volunteering

What should I do with my gap year?

If you are looking for inspiration on where to spend your gap year, you can rely on Gapforce to have something that will excite you. Gapforce has carefully selected gap year programs around the world since 1989, providing a variety of gap years abroad and gap year volunteer programs for experiences in wildlife conservation, outdoor training courses and once-in-a-lifetime adventures across the far corners of the world. 

Thrilling locations...

From the snowy heights of Everest Base Camp to the heat of the African plain, turquoise waters of Thailand and humid jungles of Costa Rica and India, there is a truly diverse range of thrilling locations. The hardest part will be choosing where to go. If you need help deciding, read our gap year advice resources which explore the possibilities that gap years can open to you.

Is there a gap year program that’s right for me?

The world is beautiful because it is varied, and our range of gap year options reflects this. The diversity of a gap year abroad means there really is something for everyone — follow your instincts:

For those looking for experience in marine conservation take a look at our gap year in Thailand .

If you want to combine travel with adventure on your gap year abroad — snorkel, sail, ride off-road and surf through your gap year in Australia .

Perhaps you are conscious that you want to spend time helping a worthy cause, in which case our summer volunteer programs will inspire you.

Our Range of Gap Year Programs...

Australia Adventure

Bali Escape

Dive Instructor Training - Costa Rica

Europe Tour

Fiji Marine Conservation

Game Ranger Course - South Africa

Marine Scientist Training - Costa Rica

Nepal & India Adventure

Scientific Diver - Costa Rica

South Africa Wildlife Volunteering

South America Explorer

Southeast Asia Explorer

Sri Lanka Escape

Sustainable Action Costa Rica

Thailand Escape

Thailand Marine Conservation

Trekforce Expedition Leader Training

UK Theater & History Tour

Wildlife Volunteering - Ecuador

Gap Year Travel Inspiration & Advice

The best gap year travel programmes,

for Adventurers, Advisors and Providers

Please Note: Year Out Group has no association with other organisations using the name YEAR OUT and any similarities with our logo and branding should be met with caution. We were founded in 2000 and have noticed a few more recently established companies outside the UK have ‘borrowed’ from our wording and graphic design, albeit with some colour and font changes.

Before you make a booking with any company please check that they are authentic and use our GUIDE to ask appropriate questions.

Gap year basics

Whether you are at school, college or in work, we can guide you towards the best gap year travel programmes & experiences. Visiting this site is your first step towards an awesome adventure !

Gap year help & advice

Browse our site, the best gap year programmes and get in touch with a question or request a talk at your school. We’re here to help with one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your future. Read our blogs for even more info.

Approved gap year providers

Too much choice on the web and not sure who to trust? We have experienced and approved providers and are happy to answer your gap year travel queries. We are also keen to hear from potential members .

Gap year inspiration

We’ve selected a range of the best gap year  programmes which we think will whet your appetite for a gap year. Choose from what’s on offer or dig deeper to find more on our member’s websites.

Student & Career-Break Adventurers, Travellers & Volunteers

Approved Providers

Working with.

Creating Budget-friendly Gap Year Travel Plans

by Stefan Wathan

Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer from the lovely "city of trees"- Boise, Idaho. Her love of writing pairs with her passion for social activism and search for the truth. You can find more of her writing on her Contently. A budget friendly gap year is the perfect...

Take a gap year – shape your future

If there was any doubt about the arrival of this post-pandemic “new normal”, then the beginning of June festivities cleared it. The Jubilee long weekend came as a breath of fresh air to people wanting to feel normal again. Meeting friends (and strangers) face to face,...

Embrace the digital nomad life on your gap year

The digital nomad lifestyle is a path toward independence, adventure, and empowerment and a revolution is taking place outside the confines of conventional employment and a fixed workplace.

7 Tips For Choosing the Perfect Gap Year Destination

We've highlighted 7 tips for choosing the perfect gap year destination. A staggering 98% of respondents in a Gap Year Association survey said their gap year helped them mature and better interact with people of various cultures and backgrounds. In addition, 97% said...

4 Pre-travel tips for your gap adventure

These pre-travel tips will help you get the most out what is a life-enriching opportunity. During a gap year, you get to spend time exploring another part of the world (or your own country) before heading to university or the workforce. And you'll encounter different...

Great careers for women

When it comes to great careers for women, most of us spend a lot of time and effort on finding the right one. We want to make sure that we are doing something that we love, and that is also financially rewarding. It's important to remember that our careers are a huge...

Handling the stresses of teaching overseas

Preparing how to handle the stress of teaching overseas will really improve your experience. Teaching English in a foreign country as part of your gap year is likely to be one of the most demanding experiences you'll ever have. It entails relocating to a new country,...

Travel in 2021

It's been a terrible year for most people with too many facing the loss of family, their health or employment. Talking about gap years and travel in 2021 can seem frivolous by comparison. That said, the travel industry has been one of the hardest hit by restrictions...

Should I go to university or take a gap year?

Firstly, we'd like to wish everyone the best for their continued studies this year. We know it's been a really difficult period for students. The uncertainty around exam results, university places and employment have understandably left many feeling in a state of...

Gap Year Enquiries

Get your questions answered at our live info session !

Make this your year

Experience the world and discover your passions. Build real-world skills, make lifelong memories, and return home a better you. For ages 18-22.

Two program lengths

Choose how long you want to travel. With Year & Semester programs, there's an EF Gap experience for everyone.

The EF Gap Year Program

Discover the world on the ultimate, global gap year: explore Europe, Asia, and Australia through a combination of guided exploration and cultural immersion. Learn more

Semester Programs

Spend your gap semester living in different parts of the world, experiencing multiple destinations in depth. Combine language study, service-learning, and/or an internship. Learn more

The most productive break of your life

The gap year is not an alternative to college. It’s about preparing yourself to make the most of college—and in many ways, the rest of your life. Our innovative experiential learning model helps students discover their goals, while equipping them with the confidence and skills to get there.

Develop global skills

Travel the world, experience new cultures, and gain valuable life skills abroad.

Grow into your best self

Become a more confident, independent, and resilient version of yourself.

Define your life path

Return home with greater clarity about your goals and inner compass.

Gain a competitive edge

Enter college more socially and academically prepared, with life experiences under your belt.

The world leader in international education

When you travel with EF Education First, you travel with a global organization that has been in operation since 1965. EF’s mission has always been to open the world through education, and we’ve delivered on that promise for millions of students.

Years of operation

Countries and regions

Offices and schools

Staff, faculty, and teachers

Interested in traveling with us? Here’s what to do next!

Taking a gap year before or during college is an incredibly worthwhile experience. It can also be a complex decision. We strongly recommend speaking with someone on our admissions team as you determine which program or destinations are right for you.

Set up a time to talk

Fill out a short contact form and one of our EF Gap Year Consultants will be in touch to walk you through the program and answer any questions you may have.

Join a virtual info session

Not ready to talk to us just yet? Learn more about how our program works and get your questions answered at one of our weekly virtual info sessions.

After completing this short form, one of our EF Gap Year Consultants will reach out to schedule a time to talk in more detail about which of our programs is right for you. For U.S. students ages 18–22.

*Required Fields

By submitting your information, you agree to allow EF to process your personal information in accordance with EF’s Privacy Policy and to allow the use of your data for direct marketing purposes. By entering your mobile number, you agree to receive recurring text messages about upcoming offers from EF Gap Year at the number provided and you understand that consent to receive marketing text messages is not a condition of purchase. You agree to all EF Texting Terms and Conditions .

Where will your adventure take you?

Gap years, career breaks and responsible travel from two weeks to a year in 19 countries .

Oyster Worldwide is a long standing, award winning 5* responsible travel and gap year specialist.

We have travelled the world looking for the best projects for you

Knowledgeable and passionate globetrotting staff

Satisfaction

Highly rated on Trustpilot and 95% contentment rating on internal feedback

We plant a tree for every person who travels with us

Personal and supportive customer experience

Peace of mind

We follow best practice for your safety, financial security and well-being

Oyster is one of the most well-established companies in the UK with many projects founded as far back as 2006. We are known for our environmental standards with worthwhile, ethical and planet conscious projects. Our programs are life-changing for participants, but at the same time, give you the opportunity to make a genuine contribution to the places you go and people you meet. Because of our niche little team, we are able to offer a boutique and personalised with expert knowledge delivered from dedicated destination managers.

Want to get paid work or volunteer abroad? Oyster’s wide range of popular gap year programs, career break projects and volunteering breaks allow you to get under the skin of a country and participate in meaningful activities.

Our gap year volunteering projects are suitable for school leavers, gap year students, those taking career breaks, families and people in retirement – a real highlight of our volunteering trips in particular is the wide range of people that you come across from all round the world.

Planning your trip with Oyster Worldwide could not be easier, with all of our staff members having done their own gap adventures and responsible travel.

• Request our info pack

“Oyster made my trip very comfortable and enjoyable. After speaking to people who had arrived at the project through different organisations it was clear that Oyster was the best organisation to book through as they provided useful and clear information.”

ELLIE, SOUTH AFRICA TEACHING

Destination of the month.

Borneo has to be one of the most dreamed-of locations in the world. Its vast rainforests, beautiful rivers, golden coastlines and prolific wildlife has turned this island into one of the top bucket list locations. Discover the ever-smiling people of the local tribes, taste the delicious cuisine and get to know the jungle with all of its incredible fauna and flora. And we all know which creatures are hiding in the depths of those forests….

As many people like to stay for longer  in Borneo, we can offer you a discount of £50 if you choose to combine any of our Borneo projects.

View location

3 active projects

• Wildlife conservation volunteering in Borneo
• Volunteer with bears in Borneo
• Wildlife conservation volunteering for families in Borneo

COSTA RICA: Introducing Oyster’s Pure Pura Vida’s transfer included 9 day tour

Our expert team has meticulously crafted a journey through Costa Rica that will exceed even your wildest expectations Get ready to explore the diverse ecosystems, encounter exotic flora and fauna, and actively …

COSTA RICA: Introducing Oyster’s Pure Pura Vida Family 9 day Self-Drive Tour!

Discover the essence of “Pura Vida” as you adventure on an unforgettable journey through Costa Rica with our exclusive self-drive tour! Get ready to buckle up and ignite your passion for exploration …

COSTA RICA: Oyster’s 5 day taster budget tour

Hop across to the Nicoya Peninsula turtle project via cloud forests, mountainscapes and tropical beaches Our turtle project is 6 hours from the popular arrival airport of San Jose. While we can …

The Conservation Career Kick-Starter: Start your career in wildlife conservation with our unique programme of training, support community & jobs.

    Quick Details Name: The Conservation Career Kick-Starter Duration: 1 year Cost: £375 Apply directly through Conservation Careers using our link here Oyster have teamed up with our friends at Conservation …

Featured projects

Paid horse work, training and Sydney tour in Australia

• Paid Work Internships Adventure Travel

Volunteer With Baboons In South Africa

• Volunteer With Animals Abroad Veterinary Experience Summer Trips Volunteer Holiday Trips
• South Africa

Elephant Sanctuary Volunteering In Thailand

• Volunteer with Elephants Summer Trips Volunteer With Animals Abroad

Whistler, Blackcomb Ski Instructor Jobs, Courses & Training

• Ski Instructor Courses Ski Season Jobs Paid Work Sports Coaching Childcare Internships

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Choose a Project

• Adventure Travel
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Animal Welfare and Conservation

• Volunteer With Animals Abroad
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Internships and online volunteering

• Internships
• Medical Work Experience
• Online volunteering
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• Ski Instructor Courses
• Ski Season Jobs

Teaching and Childcare

• Sports Coaching
• Teach English Abroad

Choose a Destination

Australasia.

• New Zealand

North America

South america, what kind of traveller are you.

Career Break

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Group Travel

Mature Travel

School and College Trips

Solo Travel

The DofE Award

Welcome to Oyster

We are a highly experienced gap and responsible travel organisation that has been sending volunteers and paid workers to diverse and exciting destinations around the world since 2006.

• Meet the team
• Partners and Recognition
• School Visits
• Code of Conduct
• Our Policies
• How we choose our projects
• Why volunteer abroad?
• Year Out Group
• Work with us

Get in Touch

Our project pages are packed full of information that you may require before booking a place with us.

• Request Call back
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Use our search engine to find your ideal destination or project:.

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• Area of interest Select one Australia - Paid Farm Work in Australia Australia - Paid horse work, training and Sydney tour in Australia Australia - Paid work and orientation tour in Sydney, Australia Austria - Austria Ski Instructor Course With Guaranteed Job Borneo - Volunteer with bears in Borneo Borneo - Wildlife conservation volunteering for families in Borneo Borneo - Wildlife conservation volunteering in Borneo Canada - 11 Week Ski & Snowboard Instructor Course in Whistler, Canada Canada - 4 Week Ski & Snowboard Instructor Course in Whistler, Canada Canada - 7 Week Ski & Snowboard Instructor Course in Whistler, Canada Canada - Banff Ski Season Jobs Canada - Banff Summer Hospitality Jobs Canada - Hospitality Jobs in Whistler With Accommodation Canada - Whistler Ski Season Jobs Canada - Whistler, Blackcomb Ski Instructor Jobs, Courses & Training China - Backpacking tour of China Costa Rica - Family volunteering with turtles in Costa Rica Costa Rica - Volunteer with Sea Turtles in Costa Rica Ecuador - Wildlife sanctuary volunteering in Ecuador India - India backpacking tour Japan - 13 day backpacking tour of Japan Namibia - Elephant Conservation Volunteering In Namibia Namibia - Elephant conservation volunteering for families in Namibia Nepal - Volunteer as a teacher in Nepal Nepal - Women's empowerment volunteering in Nepal New Zealand - Paid work and orientation tour in Auckland, New Zealand Portugal - Food waste reduction volunteering in Portugal Portugal - Marine conservation in Portugal Portugal - Volunteer with horses in Portugal Portugal - Volunteer with wolves in Portugal Romania - Family volunteering with Bears in Romania Romania - Medical Internship in Romania Romania - Volunteer with Bears in Romania South Africa - Big 5 wildlife conservation experience for families in South Africa South Africa - Family Volunteering with baboons in South Africa South Africa - Game Ranger course in South Africa South Africa - Marine conservation in South Africa South Africa - Veterinary experience in South Africa South Africa - Veterinary internship in South Africa South Africa - Volunteer With Baboons In South Africa South Africa - Volunteer sports coaching in South Africa South Africa - Volunteer with Elephants in South Africa South Africa - Volunteer with kids in South Africa South Africa - Wildlife conservation experience with the Big 5 Spain - Diving to fight plastic pollution in Barcelona Spain - Volunteer with rescued cats in Barcelona Sri Lanka - Elephant Conservation in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka - Elephant conservation in Sri Lanka for families Thailand - Elephant Sanctuary Volunteering In Thailand Thailand - Family volunteering in Thailand at a wildlife sanctuary Thailand - Family volunteering in Thailand at an elephant sanctuary Thailand - Gain a TESOL and teach English in Thailand Thailand - Marine Conservation in Thailand Thailand - Southeast Asia backpacking tour Thailand - Wildlife sanctuary volunteering in Thailand Vietnam - Train and teach English in Vietnam
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Privacy Overview

• Tailor Made

Gap Year Travel For 18 - 30s

Adventures for gap year travellers.

Thailand Island Hopper - 14 Days

• Bangkok to Phuket
• Age range: 18 - 39
• Group size: 20

Australia East Coast Highlights - 21 Days

• Sydney to Cairns
• Age range: 18 - 35
• Group size: 24

Bali Bucket List - 10 Days

• Canggu to Bali
• Age range: 21 - 39
• Group size: 10

Costa Rica Adventure - 10 Days

• San José to Santa Teresa

Most of the Coast: Sydney to Cairns - 16 Days

Real North India - 11 Days

• New Delhi to New Delhi
• Group size: 16

Total Thailand - 27 Days

East Coast Australia - 36 Days

Speak to our team.

Call or email our expert team to find out more and help with ideas and planning.

Gap Year Holidays

Great, you're taking a Gap Year, lucky you! We only wish we could be doing the same. So you probably have a lot of plans and / or questions. 

We know it's pretty nerve-wracking when you're starting to think about a year away so our job is to help you and make sure your experience is excellent. When you contact us a travel expert will be able to help you and will be your personal travel agent throughout.

Our team are experts in gap years because most if not all have taken gap years and many have lived overseas or years. 

We can help with flights and which routes to take. Depending on where you're going and for how long we can help with visas, jobs, bank accounts, accommodation and more.

We also have hundreds of small group trips on our website. These trips range in length from just a few days up to a few months, and we have them for all over the world, so you won’t be disappointed with our options.

The vast majority of gap year travellers are solo and these trips are designed with you in mind. Over 50% of those on these trips are usually solo travellers. They're a great way to meet people.

Getting There

We can find and book the best flights on the market for you. We can also piece together stops along the way and way back if you wish.

We can book flexible tickets which allow you to change your dates of lying giving you maximum flexibility.

This can be daunting, you're really now on your adventure. To make things a little easier for some destinations  we can provide a start pack which  includes things like:

Opening your bank accounts

Job opportunities

A few nights accommodation

It's basically designed to take away some of the admin and hassle so you can enjoy your time rather than queuing at the bank for example.

Having Fun & Holidays

We have literally hundreds of adventures, tours and experiences all designed around those on gap years. You'll meet lots of other people around your age and on gap years or adventures too.

Coming Home

You might not want to come home but in case you do we can book your flights home either when you decide you want to return. If you've booked flexible tickets to travel to Australia you'll be able to move your dates for your return, either way our experts ca help get together the perfect flights for you.

We Are Here To Help

We are experts in gap years and we're going to help you to make sure you have a great time. When you make contact with us an agent will be assigned to you and they become your personal travel agent making sure you get what you want!

We understand planning your gap year can seem like a bit of a minefield at the beginning so, often it can be easier to talk to someone. Don't worry, we are real people! If you chat to us on our live chat or call us you'll speak to someone, there are no answer phones unless our office is closed for the day in which case leave a message and we'll call you back.

Around The World Adventures

A gap year is the perfect time to embark on an around the world trip, it’s rare to find that amount of time all in one go again! Who wouldn’t want to travel the world taking in lots of different countries on a once in a lifetime adventure?

Our group adventures operate in well over 100 countries around the world, so you will be spoilt for choice with where to go. Doing several group tours in your ‘Around the World’ trip ensures that you’ll have a bit of structure to your trip, have things paid for upfront so that even if you do start to run out of money you’ve already paid for your adventure, and it just makes it that much easier to make new friends. Plus, for a lot of parents out there it gives a bit of peace of mind that they know where you are and what you are doing.

We have put together plenty of ‘Around the World’ adventures so please don’t hesitate to get in touch and together we can create the perfect trip for you. Give us a call on  0208 004 8886 or send an email to [email protected] and we'll be sure to help.

Build Your Own (Gap Year Ideas)

Each customer to us is completely different. We’ll listen to exactly what you want, how you want to do it and any requirements you may have. We will then ensure that all of the trips we send over to you suit you and what you are after. Ask us any questions and we will be sure to help in all aspects of putting together an amazing once in a lifetime trip for you. We are here to make this experience as easy and stress free for you as possible, so you only need to think about the exciting bits to come!

What should I expect?

What a question! We think you should expect an adventure, a good time, to meet new people, make some amazing friends and finally to have some memories you'll keep for your life. All in all, this is your time, this is your adventure and we are here to help make it happen for you. It can be nerve wracking but embrace it and enjoy it. You'll have a guide, new friends and tons of support when on your adventure, and of course, you always have us. If you'd like to find out more about specific destinations or trips just get in touch via email on [email protected] or give us a call!

Who else has booked on?

Good question! We aren’t able to give exact details on this, but please do get in touch and we'll give as much information as we can which is typically how many people, split of gender, solo travellers and couples and where everyone is from and their approximate age.

Where should I travel to?

South East Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia etc) is generally a very popular place for a Gap Year! It’s cheap, easy to get to in terms of flights and there’s tons to do. The food is incredible, the people friendly and don’t get us started on how amazing some of the beaches are! We have such a range of trips in this region you really won’t be disappointed.

Another popular region is Australia & New Zealand, there are so many appealing things about this area. Although more expensive than South East Asia it’s truly worth it, when you’re snorkelling in the Great Barrier reef, visiting shipwrecks on Fraser Island, seeing the amazing Milford Sound or spotting Dolphins in Kaikoura, you’ll be thrilled you came.

South America is becoming more and more popular as the years go on. It’s a stark difference to that of South East Asia, with completely different scenery, culture and food, but it’s equally worth a visit. How about checking out the Salt Flats in Bolivia, Iguassu falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina, climb the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru or visit one of Pablo Escobar’s homes in Colombia. There are endless things to do in this amazing continent, it's definitely a must see!

It's my first time away on my own, help!

Of course, that’s what we are here for! Don't worry, when travellers have their first time away from home the vast majority of people are nervous. It's always good to chat through things. It can seem like there is SO much stuff to think about and get right or plan for but the good news is, really there are only a handful of key items to address:

1. Where are you going and what do you want to do?

2. What to expect

3. Safety, your guide and emergencies

5. Communications

We can help with ALL of the above and more. 

Often people want to know who else is going, what age they are and basically know a bit more about the group to make sure they'll fit in.  We can give information about the general group make up so do contact us if you're curious but also, it is very, very rare that a group doesn't work for you. People who take these trips and go onto gap years are often like-minded and share similar outlooks and interests. People are usually around the same age too and most of the time are mixed gender. If in doubt give us a shout!

As a final bit of advice, the first thing to start with is what you'd like to do and where you'd like to go, everything else will flow from that. If you already know, make contact with us! We can help with the rest.

Is it safe?

YES! Well, as safe as it can be! Travelling always carriers some danger but the good news about these tours are you have a guide and people so you get safety in numbers in local knowledge. This is a huge benefit of small group travelling.

Nonetheless there are some risks like you get on any trip (pickpockets for example) and of course your own behaviour can influence your safety so be street smart! (we can help with this too).

If you are nervous about certain destinations what you can do is head on over to the government website ( HERE ) and you can check out each country's safety and security, and sign up to receive any alerts.

How do I budget for my trip?

Good question and this really depends upon the tour(s) you're taking and where they are as costs will change a lot. We would say do make sure you've got some spare cash in your account and make sure you bring your bank card. For more information on budgeting, head to our destination pages to see how to budget for each country you want to visit.

Most people have a debit or credit card, either are fine. There is one advantage to a credit card is that it can be good for emergencies and / or if you run out of cash in your current account. A lot of travellers also tend to bring more of a ‘Travel Money Card’ providing better rates and more security. These work in the way of a bank transfer from your normal bank so you can load little and often onto the card to feel safer.

What about visas?

You may need one, best to contact us or check with the FCO. Visas depend upon your nationality, where you're going and how long for so it can be a tad complicated.

If you are a British national then please check our government website, you can access that HERE . You can type in the country you are going to and check out the entry requirements. These can change frequently so we suggest checking this well in advance of your trip and then shortly before you go to see if anything has changed.

Another good thing you can do on this website is sign up to receive any alerts, this means you'll be emailed if there is an update to anything to do with that specific country.

Do I need any vaccinations?

Maybe yes. Again, this is one of those areas which we can only answer with more information. Your best bet though is to phone your GP or local NHS travel clinic and ask once you've made your booking. You may need a round of vaccinations for some destinations so we suggest contacting them well in advance of your trip.

Alternatively you can visit your local pharmacy and ask as they'll often have a very good idea of what, if anything, you need. We do recommend you find out if you need anything as some diseases can be quite nasty so it's well worth protecting against.

Why book with The Adventure People?

You may be thinking ‘why should I book with The Adventure People?’. Here are just some of the reasons we stand out:

The Best Value

Not only are our prices usually the best in the market but our leading service coupled with the financial protections we offer mean you won’t find better value anywhere else.

Your Dedicated Travel Expert

Our travel team is the best in the business and we’re not just saying that. The moment you make an enquiry we’ll pair you with your own dedicated expert who is on hand to answer your questions, look after your booking and make sure you have a fantastic time.

No Waiting Times

We only have one phone number with no automated services. When you contact us you’re straight through to a member of our team and a human! 

Financial Protection

We are ATOL certified, members of ABTA and run a Trust account for our packages ensuring you’re fully financially protected. 

Flexible Payments

We offer low deposits and monthly payment plans at no extra cost. 

We can add flights to any trip you book with us and we’re happy to help with Round The World tickets!

Accommodation

We work with wonderful accommodation providers and our team can quote almost any hotel in the world at the best prices.

Transfers & Extras

We can easily add airport transfers or extras to any booking. Our team will always quote the best possible price and be able to update your booking.

What Our Customers Say

Trust the adventure people.

Communication was excellent both by email and over the phone, everyone I had contacted followed and actioned my request or answered my question politely and efficiently.

Would definitely recommend this company.

The staff are super helpful and friendly and always answer e-mails as soon as they can.

Trip achieved all my expectations!

The tour that I booked with The Adventure People met all my expectations. The local agent in Vietnam kept in regular contact with me during my trip. All of the connections worked perfectly. The hotels were all of a good standard and comfortable as well as being in a good location. Would definitely use them again

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The Adventure People has been rated excellent by its customers

HIGH IMPACT GAP YEAR EXPERIENCES

Discover the world discover yourself, where in the world, what experiences are you interested in, how long do you want to travel, welcome to impact gap year.

Welcome to Impact Gap Year, where your gap year unfolds as a transformative journey blending academic enrichment, thrilling adventures, and vital life skills development. Our programs stand at the crossroads of education and experience, designed to inspire you to explore beyond boundaries, embrace challenges, and emerge empowered. With a focus on personal growth and global understanding, we offer more than just a break from academics; we provide a launchpad for lifelong achievement and impact.

Join us to shape your future, discover your potential, and embark on the ultimate life-enhancing adventure.

Discover programs around the world

African Mini Gap Year

• South Africa

Cultural Explorer

• Thailand | Cambodia | Spain | Costa Rica | South Africa
• Expedition + Volunteer + Study Abroad

Ultimate Gap Year Adventure

• Nepal | Cambodia | South Africa | Costa Rica
• Volunteer + Expedition

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF JOINING A GAP YEAR?

Research shows taking a gap year can be highly beneficial. It enables substantial self-discovery and a broader understanding of your surroundings. Students return with new language skills, intercultural connections, and a more inclusive and open-minded attitude.

Why should you take a gap year?

of alumni said that gap year gave them a competitive edge when applying to college and/or jobs.

of alumni reported that gap year helped shape their cultural awareness.

of alumni said that gap year improved their self-confidence.

Why choose Impact Gap Year?

We both lead and follow

Impact Gap Year believes that volunteers are not there to change, adjust, or revise a culture, but rather to support local leaders in developing sustainable and responsible practices that benefit all members and areas in their respective communities.

We are affordable

Impact Gap Year is the only gap year provider that creates a carefully crafted itinerary to maximize the number of meaningful travel experiences participants can have, the diverse and specially-focused programs in multiple countries.

We are 100% committed

We want to change the world for the better. Impact Gap Year believes that change comes from education and a livable planet that allows everyone who resides on it to grow to their full potential through transferrable opportunities.

We are supportive

We want all of our participants to have the time of their lives while also helping to improve the conditions that affect our globe. Impact Gap Year will continuously address and improve all ideas, incidents, and issues that may arise during your stay.

We work only with trusted providers

For many years, our program providers have been at the forefront of the volunteer sector, Impact Gap Year has connections to the best, most trustworthy, and ethical organization, local leaders, and resources to ensure a safe trip for all participants.

Make the first step today!

Our advisors are here to guide you through the process, answer any questions you may have, and assist you in creating a unique gap year trip that corresponds with your objectives and aspirations.

How to book your next adventure

Choose from our many meaningful programs.

Submit your application and deposit to get a spot.

Read your welcome packet and get ready to go!

What our Alumni say

“ “ It’s been an opportunity to grow as a person in ways that you wouldn’t think possible. It makes you more aware of the world that you live in. I remember coming back from the mountain trek and looking around; I thought about how sad it is how man changes the world so easily. So, it’s important to go back to your roots, to the proper wild, and experience it. ” Freddy Immersive Expedition in South Africa

“ “ Before I was an introverted, shy person and now I am talking with other people without hesitation. Before, I was only comfortable sitting with a group of two or three people but now, I’m able to speak within a group of 20 or 30. ” Bikal Immersive Expedition in Costa Rica

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At Impact Gap Year, we are committed to creating a world where individuals are empowered to lead. where ethical practices prevail, and where young people are equipped to create positive change. Join us on this journey of growth, collaboration, and impact.

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The Best Gap Year Programs for After High School

We tapped educational experts to find the most popular gap year programs after high school and got their tips on picking the best option.

EF Gap Year

Worldstrides, where there be dragons, habitat for humanity, raleigh international, irish gap year.

As an alternative to going straight from the halls of high school to the academia of college, many young adults take a gap year as a chance to explore new skills, travel, or volunteer. A gap year is an intentional, focused break between high school and college. During a gap year, young adults can hone in on an interest, gain valuable life experience, and perhaps even earn money.

A gap year can be an excellent option for those who aren't sure they're ready for college or want to have other adventures first. It can also help some determine whether college, trade school, or working right away is best for them.

While a gap year can be formal or informal, gap year programs are more intentionally set up to help young adults determine the next steps and gain on-the-ground experience. You can expect inclusive travel programs to cost many thousands of dollars, covering transportation, lodging, food, and instruction. Most programs have payment plans and fundraising support, and some offer scholarships. Contact the respective programs for exact details.

Read on for a selection of some of the top gap year programs for after high school according to educational experts.

Essentially a "greatest hits" collection from the popular, teen-centric Education First (EF) Tours , the EF Gap Year programs incorporate time in internships, at language schools, and participating in service activities, all in different parts of the world. Students can tailor their semester or year-long program so it best helps them round out the skills they'd like to develop before starting at university.

Some options include cultural immersion in London, Barcelona, and Paris; language instruction in Nice; sustainable development programs in Thailand; internships in Tokyo; and leadership academy at EF's executive education campus at Ashridge House (a literal castle outside of London).

All of this empowers young adults to come home fueled with life-changing experiences and new tools to power lives of fulfillment and positive impact, says EF Gap Year president Christian Meyer.

• Length : Year-long, semester, or 4-week options
• Location : Europe, South Pacific, US and Canada, Asia, Africa
• Focuses : Travel, leadership, language, and cultural immersion

A leader in educational travel and experiential learning, WorldStrides offers gap year programs that include performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. "Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and see the world—and themselves—in new ways," says CEO Robert Gogel.

In addition, the International Study Abroad (ISA) by WorldStrides gap program contains diverse opportunities and allows participants to "choose their own adventure" in designing their path. Participants can prioritize elements they feel are important to them while fostering personal growth from the security of a community of like-minded travelers.

• Length : From a couple of weeks to a semester
• Location : Europe, US, North America, Asia, Africa, Central America, South America, Oceana
• Focuses : Performing arts, language immersion, sports, service learning, career exploration

If you're looking for an internship program based abroad, look no further than VA Corps . This gap year program, based in Cape Town, South Africa, offers tailor-made internships in a variety of fields, including medicine, psychology, occupational or physical therapy, human rights, political science, media, and business.

The program offers experiential learning, adds an impressive line item to a young person's resume, and helps them build connections with people from all over the world.

• Length : Five to 12 weeks
• Location : South Africa
• Focus : Internships in nearly every professional field

Although the name may sound a little dreamy, Where There Be Dragons is firmly planted in reality, with some of the most in-depth foreign travel programs available to gap year students. It offers political science, history, sustainability, economics, and language immersion in far-flung locales such as Morocco or Nepal as well as those closer to home in spots like the Colorado Basin.

This gap year program offers college credits as part of their programs (check with your college of choice if these will be transferable). This program is one of the most expensive options, but financial aid is available.

• Length : Summer, semester, or independent 6+ week options
• Location : Asia, South America, Central America, Africa, North America
• Focuses : Language immersion and cultural education

For young adults who want to volunteer and spend time helping others, Habitat for Humanity offers several ways to be of service in their "Youth" programs.

The most immersive option for young adults looking for gap year programs after high school is Habitat for Humanity's joint program with AmeriCorps. These collaborative programs offer positions at local Habitat organizations across the US. In this program, participants can learn and develop new skills while serving a critical role in helping Habitat create homes for those in need. There is a small living allowance for those who qualify.

• Length : One year
• Location : United States
• Focus : Community development and housing

Speaking of AmeriCorps , this program is another top option for those looking for service opportunities. The program offers the following options:

• Traditional: Paired with local nonprofits for hands-on work
• FEMA: Disaster preparedness and recovery
• Summer of Service: Environmental stewardship and affordable housing
• Forest: Fire prevention, reforestation

While most programs are limited to people 18 years of age and up, some do accept applications from 16 and 17 year olds. A modest living allowance is offered.

• Length : Summer, 10 months, full-year options
• Focuses : Nonprofit, humanitarian, environmental

Raleigh International is a favorite gap year option of Ed Zamora , a college advisor and director at Principia Prep. This student-led volunteer gap year program has global opportunities for sustainable development in remote areas such as South Africa and Costa Rica.

Raleigh International calls their programs "expeditions," and their goal is to help young people challenge themselves, disconnect from technology, reconnect with people and nature, and make an impact. Service options include:

• Improving primary and secondary school facilities
• Infrastructure maintenance and wildlife research
• Adventure leadership treks
• Building sustainable food gardens
• Alien plant removal, tree planting, and combatting soil erosion

Note that there is both an application process and a cost (although not as high as the educational travel companies).

• Length : Four to 10 weeks
• Location : Costa Rica, South Africa
• Focuses : Community, environmental, adventure leadership

This UK-based organization offers volunteer travel options in group "structured" environments and independent plans (a rarity). The Leap creates hands-on opportunities to travel while working on sustainability projects . This program caters to youth looking for gap year programs after high school, mid-life adventurers, and corporate volunteers.

Gap year program opportunities include community efforts like building jiko stoves or teaching in a local school; environmental efforts like helping baby turtles reach the ocean; and adventuring through treks, mountain hikes, and river rafting.

Note that these options incur tuition costs.

• Length : Three, four, or five weeks
• Location : Columbia, Peru, Costa Rica, Kenya, Vietnam

Workaway encourages cultural exchange through work, from WOOFing (WOrking On a Farm) in British Columbia to teaching art to children in Peru. These opportunities are less structured than regular gap year programs after high school, and your teen will be working in exchange for room and board. But this can be a good option if they want to see the world for free.

Workaway is a platform that offers a way for travelers to connect with hosts all over the world. To start, your teen will create a profile and connect with hosts looking for their skills. There are more than 50,000 projects available across 170 countries with opportunities in everything from farming and gardening to animal and child care.

Workaway is best for young adults who don't need a structured program and are comfortable being on their own.

• Length : Varies by project (most request a minimum of a week stay with placements lasting up to a year or more)
• Location : Global
• Focuses : Travel, community

HELPX is a site similar to Workaway: It lists hosts who need volunteer help, allowing students to travel the world for free in exchange for their work. However, one advanced option on HELPX is connecting with possible companions of the same age and interests to create a support network.

HELPX offers many different types of stays, including farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, and hostels. The typical arrangement is for helpers to work four hours daily in exchange for free accommodation and meals. This program is best for independent students who are comfortable traveling independently.

• Length : Varies by situation and is mutually agreed on between host and helper
• Focuses : Travel, community, farm work

This study abroad and gap year program takes place at sea! This semester-long voyage focuses on hands-on learning, formal education, and adventure. At Sea|Mester , you are a crew member of a sailboat on voyages that can include routes like South Africa to the Caribbean, the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, Fiji to Bali, and the Virgin Islands to Antigua.

This gap year program boasts USF-accredited academic courses, which may be transferable to a college or university (though check ahead of time with the university of your choice to be sure). You'll also gain certification in specific skills like scuba diving, sailing, safety, and skipper and crew training.

• Length : 20 to 90 days
• Location : Atlantic Ocean
• Focuses : Sailing, boating, travel

Irish Gap Year is Europe's only Gap Year Association-accredited program. Its goal is to help develop independent and resilient young people through community integration, immersion in nature, experiential education, exploration of the arts and creativity, meaningful travel, volunteering, and cultural exchange.

This program has an Irish and European program option, and within each, you can choose one that focuses on leadership, exploring, or arts and culture. Depending on your chosen program, you could spend days working with local artists, exploring off-the-beaten tracks, and visiting museums and national parks.

• Length : Around 28 to 80 days
• Location : Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia
• Focus : Travel, community, adventure, arts

More Resources

To find even more gap year options, check out Go Abroad . This online search engine and clearing house for international travel programs offers all the information about gap year programs after high school at your fingertips. For additional resources, including how to get started and self-plan a gap year, check out with the Gap Year Association , which provides a wealth of information.

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Millennials and Gen Z are embracing the gap year

If you’ve been feeling extreme burnout from the daily 9-5 and yearning for something different, you’re not alone. Many young professionals are feeling that way too, and they’re trading in their desks for passports and embarking on gap years to explore the world and rediscover themselves.

According to Contiki , a travel company catering to those aged 18-35, nearly 60% of respondents to their Voice of a Generation survey had booked a trip due to a gap between jobs, or decided to take a sabbatical or quit their jobs entirely to travel.

“ Gap years are traditionally associated with college students, but young professionals are breaking the mold as a means to escape the pressures of the American workforce grind,” Contiki CEO Adam Armstrong told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an email. These new gaps often range from three to six months, allowing travelers to pursue their passions and hit the reset button.

Millennials, who by now are often more established in their careers, are still more likely than older cohorts to quit their current job or take a sabbatical to travel. Gen Z travelers, many of them just entering the workforce, are also embracing the trend.

One Reddit user , reflecting on their own experience, offered encouragement for those considering taking a sabbatical: “Go for it. I took a gap year after leaving the telco industry—took the wife, dog, and kids on a cross-country trip. If I could, I would do it again.”

Whether you’re thinking about deferring a semester, taking a year off after graduation or simply need to just get away, a gap year spent traveling can provide immersive experiences and access to a community of like-minded global travelers, Contiki added.

About the Author

Avery Newmark covers travel, health, events and trending news for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. With a dual background in film production and journalism, Avery came to the AJC after working as a video editor. She enjoys film photography and live music in her free time. Reach her at [email protected].

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Money blog: Emirates boss says Heathrow is like a 'Second World War airport'

The president of Emirates airlines has said Heathrow Airport is "not good enough" and looks like a Second World War airport. Read this and the rest of today's consumer and personal finance news below - and leave your thoughts in the comments box.

Tuesday 4 June 2024 10:55, UK

• Heathrow is like a Second World War airport, says Emirates boss
• Gas prices hit highest level since December
• Glitch that delayed 500,000 benefit payments 'fixed', HMRC says
• HSBC announces mortgage rate increases

Essential reads

• The five different types of shopping addict
• How much are student loans, when do you start paying back and what is the interest?
• Your rights when deliveries or returns don't arrive - and why leaving instructions could jeopardise them
• Think twice before buying your holiday clothes from Zara
• Where is all the money going? Here's who is really responsible for concert tickets going crazy
• Would tourist tax put you off visiting Scotland?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

Company records have revealed the bosses of M&S and Sainsbury's were paid about £5m each last year. 

M&S chief executive Stuart Machin received a record £4.73m payout - a 75% increase on his earnings the previous year. 

Of this, £908,000 was fixed pay while the rest was performance-related. 

Co-chief executive Katie Bickerstaffe, who has a four-day working pattern, took home a £4.41m payout. 

Her earnings were 85% higher than last year. 

The pair have overseen a successful turnaround for the retailer, which saw its profits surge by 58% in the 52 weeks to 30 March. 

Meanwhile, Sainsbury's chief executive Simon Roberts took home £4.91m in the last year - a dip of 5.8% on last year's payout. 

Mr Roberts's base salary increased by 3.8% to £933,000, but his bonus decreased. 

Sainsbury's saw its pre-tax profit rise by 1.6%. 

By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

Good news for motorists - the oil price has fallen again today to a low not seen since the start of February. 

The international oil price benchmark, a barrel of Brent crude, costs $77.25 - down from $92 in April. It's lowered amid speculation that major oil producing countries in the OPEC+ (the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) group will increase exports later this year.

A pound still buys roughly the same amount of euro as it has over the past week (€1.1743) and more dollars ($1.2776) than it has in the past two months. 

The index of most valuable companies on the London Stock Exchange - the FTSE 100 - is down 0.63% this morning. One of the biggest fallers is the bank Standard and Chartered. Its share price is down more than 3% after reports that it's being accused in a New York court of funding terrorism, an accusation it denies.

The president of Emirates airlines has said Heathrow Airport is "not good enough" and looks like a Second World War airport. 

Sir Tim Clark said the airport was putting its shareholders before running a world-class business. 

"I was at Heathrow the other day and walking out of our lounge the ceiling height is awful," he said. 

"It looks like a utilitarian structure, post-Second World War. It is just not good enough." 

He argued Terminal 3, where Emirates is based, should be redesigned to make it better for passengers. 

Heathrow is "seriously lagging behind" in its customer experience, Mr Clark said. 

"It's an old airport. I'm afraid it's very difficult. You need to open up the whole terminal. Where we are based, new airports are being built employing the latest technologies to streamline the process of all the customer-facing elements. That is not the case at Heathrow."

Heathrow told The Telegraph: "Every pound we want to spend on improving airport facilities needs approval from our regulator. Despite having our proposals cut back in the current regulatory settlement, we will still invest £3.6bn upgrading our infrastructure over the next three years.

"We will continue to invest and to work with our airline partners to build an airport fit for the future."

Wholesale costs for natural gas have hit their highest levels across Europe since December last year - threatening a future spike in energy bills.

The cause is a key Norwegian export operation being shut down due to a cracked pipe.

The damage, discovered aboard the Sleipner Riser platform, prompted wider  energy  infrastructure to be halted including the Nyhamna processing plant which exports gas to the UK, pipeline operator Gassco said.

Alfred Hansen, the company's head of pipeline system operations, told the Reuters news agency: "This has big consequences from a supply perspective."

Read more on this, and how there's better new on oil prices, below ...

Yesterday we talked about the dopamine hit you get when shopping - and spoke to a psychologist about how you might learn to control it.

But what if it's gone too far? That's what we're discussing in the second of this four-part series this week.

A  piece by the Royal College of Psychiatrists , published by Cambridge University Press in 2012, said shopping addiction, often referred to as compulsive buying disorder (CBD), "was first described by the German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin almost a century ago".

He called the disorder "oniomania" (from the Greek onios, meaning "for sale", and mania, meaning "insanity").

A hundred years on, the World Health Organisation doesn't classify shopping addiction as a mental illness, unlike gambling, video game addiction, pyromania and kleptomania - but psychologists are taking note of the subject.

According to a 2021 paper in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions, potential  symptoms  of a compulsive shopping disorder include:

• Preoccupation with shopping (an irresistible urge to buy a product);
• Reduced control over buying behaviours;
• Buying products but not using them for the purposes they were intended to serve;
• Using shopping to regulate mood;
• Negative consequences afterwards such as guilt, shame, debt, relationship problems;
• Negative mood and cognitive symptoms if attempting to stop.

Donald W Black, a prominent American psychiatrist, has written extensively on the subject. He says the "disorder has a lifetime prevalence of 5.8% in the US general population".

There has been much debate about whether CBD is a valid mental illness - amid concerns of over medicalising. However, a growing number of rehab clinics are offering treatment.

The Priory's website says: "If you are addicted to spending money, and are finding that it is affecting your finances, relationships, health and quality of life, this is just as serious as any other addiction."

The Abbey Care Foundation says signs you may have a shopping addiction include juggling multiple credit cards, hiding extravagant spending from your family, hoarding things you don't use and getting angry at anyone who tries to get in the way of your spending.

The foundation even breaks down different types of shopping addict:

• Bargain-seekers:  These people have a shopping habit of actively seeking items on sale. When they spot items for less than their perceived value, they purchase them. This behaviour makes them feel like they are winning and relieves shopping addiction. 
• Collectors:  This shopping addiction entails seeking out different versions of a particular item. The desire to collect or complete a set of similar items drives this addiction. 
• Show-offs:  The compulsive behaviour is driven by the desire to buy high-value items. In some cases, the individual's self-worth or self-esteem is attached to making such purchases. 
• Trophy-hunters:  The shopping addiction is for rare, expensive items. The individual intentionally looks for the most expensive or rarest items and gains satisfaction in buying them. 
• Shopping bulimics:  This shopping addiction is like the eating disorder known as bulimia nervosa. Individuals categorised as shopping bulimics make large, frequent purchases only to request later refunds. They do so to cushion themselves from the financial consequences of making such large purchases. 

Join us tomorrow as we speak to a woman for who this used to be all too real - leading her into £40,000 of debt.

Passengers will soon be able to book British Airways flights in a few clicks as part of a major revamp by the airline. 

The company told The Telegraph it wanted to style its website on the "three clicks and you can check out" approach of Amazon. 

British Airways said it was spending £7bn on a revamp, which would see the company's app and website relaunched. 

Other changes will include new planes, revamped seats and refurbished airport lounges. 

Customers will also be able to rebook, claim a refund and cancel flights online. 

The new website is currently being trialled by people flying from London Gatwick to Montpellier in France, Antalya in Turkey and Bari, Cagliari and Catania in Italy. 

Basically, student finance is a government-financed loan that covers university students' tuition fees and living costs for the duration of their study. 

There are two main types of loan, tuition and maintenance - we'll take each in turn. 

Tuition fees 

Undergraduate courses in England generally cost students about £9,250 a year.

That's a lot for a young person (or their family) to cover, so the government offers to pay that outright, direct to the university, on their behalf. 

This is known as your tuition loan - we'll come to how this is repaid later. 

Maintenance loans

These help students cover day-to-day costs, such as rent and food, while studying.

For the 2024-25 academic year, students can borrow anywhere between £4,327 and £13,348 for each year of study - depending on where you live, where you're going to study and your family's financial situation. 

See how much you could be entitled to by clicking here .

The various plans 

Here's where it gets more complicated. What plan you may be on is listed below... 

Why no Plan 3? The repayment plan for postgraduate loans in England and Wales is actually Plan 3.

In the UK, you pay nothing up front, and the amount you pay back each month is determined by how much you earn. 

You'll repay a percentage of your income over the threshold for your type of loan, depending on how often you get paid - see the table below for the thresholds. 

With those thresholds in mind, you'll repay either:

• 9% of your income over the threshold if you're on Plan 1, 2, 4 or 5
• 6% of your income over the threshold if you're on a postgraduate loan (Plan 3)

If you're on multiple plans, the rules are slightly different.

If you don't have a postgraduate loan, you'll repay 9% of your income over the lowest threshold out of the plan types you have.

In this scenario, you'll only have a single repayment taken each time you get paid, even if you're on more than one plan type.

But if you do have a postgraduate loan, you'll repay 6% of your income over the postgraduate loan threshold  and 9% of your income over the lowest threshold for any other plan types you have.

You don't need to worry about paying it off each month yourself if you're employed - the money will be deducted from your earnings before it hits your account, like income tax. 

Interest rates

Like any loan, you'll be paying back what you owe plus a little bit on the top - known as interest. 

With student loans, that extra on the top isn't so little right now, as it is linked to retail price rises.

• 6.25% if you're on Plan 1
• 7.8% if you're on Plan 2
• 6.25% if you're on Plan 4
• 7.8% if you're on Plan 5
• 7.8% if you're on a postgraduate loan plan (Plan 3)

Read other entries in our Basically... series...

Royal Mail's incoming owner has refused to rule out stamp price hikes under his leadership. 

In fact, Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky seemed to suggest there might be more increases to come. 

"I can't make unconditional commitments," he told The Times when questioned on the topic. 

"[If] your circulation is 50% of what it was … you either need to go home, or you need to increase the unit price and hope that people will pay for it. Because if not, you are making losses.

"You can be loss-making for a year or two, but you can't be in a loss for 20 years. It's simple maths. There's no mystery to it." 

First class stamp prices have more than doubled since 2018 from 67p to £1.35. 

The businessman, nicknamed the Czech Sphinx, had his £3.6bn offer accepted by the postal service's parent company, International Distribution Services, last week. 

It said the agreement included a series of "contractual commitments" to protect public service aspects of the Royal Mail - such as its universal service obligation to "one-price-goes-anywhere" first-class post six days a week.

Many were shocked by the deal, with Royal Mail reporting losses of £1m a day in recent years. 

You can read more about the Czech Sphinx below...

A major error that meant 500,000 families did not receive their scheduled child benefit today has been "fixed", HMRC has said.

In a post on X, HMRC said affected families would get the money on Wednesday morning, two days after the payments were due...

Multiple readers have got in touch to say they had been affected by the problem, which meant almost a third of payments scheduled for today were not made.

Reader Susan1984 said: "When should we expect to receive the missing payment? This has left not just me but so many more families with kids completely stuck for food and fuel this morning."

Earlier, HMRC apologised and said it was working urgently to resolve the issue, which would not affected payments scheduled for tomorrow (see post at 14.41).

Child benefit is usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or a Tuesday at a rate of £25.60 for an eldest or only child and £16.95 for each additional child.

The bank has today announced wholesale rate hikes across its residential and buy-to-let mortgage product ranges. 

The new rates, which come into effect tomorrow, will be applied largely across its two, three and five-year fixed rates for purchase and remortgage. 

However, a number of rates available to existing HSBC customers looking to switch will also see increases. 

Brokers say more lenders could increase rates this week. 

This is thanks to an uptick in swap rates due to hopes fading for a cut to the base rate set by the Bank of England in June. 

Here is what some industry insiders told Newspage...

The dreaded 'higher for longer' scenario is no longer a mere notion: it's the harsh reality for many. It looks like these elevated rates are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Ranald Mitchell, director at Charwin Private Clients

We can now expect more awkward conversations with clients who have read that rates are coming down and inflation is under control. HSBC have been fairly competitive recently so the hope is that they just need to turn the tap off a little to catch up and this isn't an upward trend that will continue into the summer period. David Stirling, independent financial advisor at Mint Mortgages and Protection

HSBC is one of several lenders to already have announced changes this week. Even with the higher rates on offer, I would not suggest waiting in the hope of a drop any time soon. My advice to borrowers is take control of the situation and start the process of arranging a new deal as early as possible, secure a rate and, if a better one materialises, change to it. Simon Bridgland, broker/director at Release Freedom

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