Deferring students are those who apply for a place at university in the admissions cycle the year before they intend to commence study.
Deferring allows you to take a break from formal education, secure in the knowledge that if successful you will have a guaranteed place at University for the following year.
Most students make clear that they intend to defer as soon as they apply to university. In certain situations you may be able to make the decision later in the application process; however, whether this is permitted is decided upon a case-by-case basis.
It is important that you make sure it is clear that your application is for the following year.
Ticking the deferred entry option on the UCAS form is a good start but also giving details in your personal statement about your plans for the year means that we can take it into consideration whilst looking at your application.
If you are gaining vocational experience during your year away, highlight it during your personal statement as it is a really positive attribute to have during the application process.
Most departments in the University welcome applicants wishing to take a year away from formal education.
Each subject will state in their entry requirements whether they accept deferred entry applicants and it is worth checking this before applying. This information can be found in each subject’s description in the Undergraduate prospectus.
For a more in-depth synopsis of each subject’s policy on deferred applicants, please read the relevant admissions statements.
In fairness to those applying in the following admissions cycle, the University of Bristol tends to limit the number of places per programme for deferred entry. In some cases, we may make higher offers than those typically offered.
For those of you who have already deferred, we wish you every success with your year out before joining us at Bristol and we look forward to seeing you soon.
We will contact you again next year, firstly to confirm your place but also to send you an information pack containing all the important information to prepare you for your arrival at Bristol. Mostly, this will include information on accommodation and financial matters.
Due to certain deadlines, in particular for accommodation, it would be really helpful if you could open and respond to the pack as soon as it arrives. This means if you have planned some time away from home over spring or summer, remember to ask a parent or relative to open your post and respond on your behalf.
More information about the accommodation process, including availability, can be found on the accommodation office website.
If, for any reason, you decide during your deferred year that you do not want to take up your place at the University of Bristol, any of your contact details change or you have further queries about your offer, please email the admissions office, ug-admissions@bristol.ac.uk or visit the admissions office website.
