Increasingly, many students are exploring the ‘gap year’ or bridging year option as a way to flex their study muscles. But what does it involve? And is it for you?
Mind the gap
A gap year, in the traditional sense, entails taking a break between high school and tertiary studies. It is, essentially, a year of experiential learning positioned between school and further studies. Such a year can involve doing paid or volunteer work, utilising internships, taking short courses, or travelling.
Globally, gap years are becoming increasingly common among post-matrics. They can be invaluable opportunities to work, travel, learn, and grow. A gap year tends to open doors for students, both academically and later on in their careers.
But not all gap years are created equal when it comes to academics. The most valuable ones are those crafted with purpose and intent. Unstructured gap years do not, however, necessarily lead to an academic qualification.
Building academic bridges
An academic bridging year (or ‘academic gap year’) is a good option for those matrics who are unsure about what to study and need more time for deciding and evaluating various options before committing to a university course.
For those who don’t meet university admission requirements or want to better their matric results, an academic bridging year can serve as an alternative route to tertiary studies or the world of work. Some academic bridging courses offer students an opportunity to upgrade their matric results in specific subjects so that they may then re-apply for the tertiary qualification of their choice.
AEL student exploring on the grounds.
In addition to their academic offering, bridging year programmes typically include a focus on, for example, life skills, personal development, and adventure and outdoor activities. These programmes differ in terms of their academic content and weight, and offer unique routes to further studies.
These bridging options are more intensive than a traditional (academically unstructured) gap year.
The AEL’s unique offering
The Academy for Environmental Leadership SA (AEL) offers a National Higher Certificate in Conservation Ecology (NQF5) that is designed to serve as a bridging year between school and the next phase of life. This transformative year-long course, spent immersed in nature, is a fully-fledged and accredited tertiary qualification that renders students able to enter the workplace within a year of study. This qualification level lies between a national senior certificate and a national diploma or a bachelor’s degree.
This unique course also serves as the ideal bridge to further tertiary studies.
“Our focus on experiential learning outside of the lecture hall is combined with a sound theoretical offering to secure applicable learning outcomes.”
Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen, academic head and director of the AEL
Many of the AEL’s students do use their year of study as an academic bridging year. Some of them gain entry to university courses on grounds of their academic progress at the AEL and proceed to studies in conservation ecology and agriculture, among other disciplines.
The programme consists of ten modules spanning key disciplines relevant to conservation ecology, including personal development, conflict management and environmental law.