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In the UK it's very common. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/219637/DFE-RR252.pdf https://assets.

In the UK it's very common. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/219637/DFE-RR252.pdf https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/... is some UK gov research that suggests it's about 20% of UK university students, which matches my experiences. Obviously it's easier with rich parents, but it doesn't really require as much cash as you're imagining. It's pretty common to work a little first then use all the cash to travel later for example, or to work while you travel, e.g. by teaching English (TEFL - https://www.tefl.org/blog/why-tefl-on-your-gap-year/ https://www.tefl.org/blog/why-tefl-on-your-gap-year/).

Cthulhu_ 5y ago
Doesn't university student already imply financial security? I don't know how socialist education is in the UK nowadays. I know in the Netherlands it used to be that your education is effectively paid for (either free / you get a scholarship like I did, or a very attractive loan scheme). But they changed the system so it's a loan for everyone now, which will put a damper on how many people go to college / university AND everybody that graduates will be in debt, which works against them if they're looking for a house in an already overheated market.
- joeberon 5y ago
  It's a bit above £9000 a year but everyone gets a student loan guaranteed, same with some level of means tested maintenance loan. This means that it's usually a "free" upfront cost to go to uni, however you eventually have to pay it off once you become financially eligible to do so
  - dreen 5y ago
    Your last point is important. If you don't earn enough, the loan is never repaid. Also, in the last 10 years or so the cost was tripled.
- alibarber 5y ago
  The loan in the UK is effectively a tax, and doesn’t really directly play into anything when getting a mortgage for example (but of course your take home is reduced) The point is though - you don’t get anything at all until you actually attend classes. So taking a gap year means having to fund it yourself, or have generous parents but what this comments author describes is closer to ‘normal’ - a large number, not necessarily a majority, of 18year olds will plan out a gap year contingent on taking a part time job at some point and then using that to fund travel or something - before taking up a place on a course (and hence receiving the money) If you have luck/motivation/connections/skillset - you might find a job related to your (future) degree too. I knew several people on my CS course who worked IT support at a local office for a few months whilst living with their parents - then set off on a backpacking trip somewhere exotic.
- pimterry 5y ago
  Not really. It's not free, but its dramatically cheaper than the US, and usually paid via government-provided loans with good terms (low interest, fixed repayment of 9% percent of your salary above a reasonable minimum, taken automatically by employers). It's closer to a graduate tax than a traditional loan. Everybody can have a loan for the full cost if they want one, people from poorer families get outright grants instead. Certainly not perfect, but my impression is it hasn't significantly hindered uptake from lower income students and its not a major financial burden in practice.

Cthulhu_ 5y ago

Doesn't university student already imply financial security? I don't know how socialist education is in the UK nowadays. I know in the Netherlands it used to be that your education is effectively paid for (either free / you get a scholarship like I did, or a very attractive loan scheme). But they changed the system so it's a loan for everyone now, which will put a damper on how many people go to college / university AND everybody that graduates will be in debt, which works against them if they're looking for a house in an already overheated market.

joeberon 5y ago
It's a bit above £9000 a year but everyone gets a student loan guaranteed, same with some level of means tested maintenance loan. This means that it's usually a "free" upfront cost to go to uni, however you eventually have to pay it off once you become financially eligible to do so
- dreen 5y ago
  Your last point is important. If you don't earn enough, the loan is never repaid. Also, in the last 10 years or so the cost was tripled.
alibarber 5y ago
The loan in the UK is effectively a tax, and doesn’t really directly play into anything when getting a mortgage for example (but of course your take home is reduced) The point is though - you don’t get anything at all until you actually attend classes. So taking a gap year means having to fund it yourself, or have generous parents but what this comments author describes is closer to ‘normal’ - a large number, not necessarily a majority, of 18year olds will plan out a gap year contingent on taking a part time job at some point and then using that to fund travel or something - before taking up a place on a course (and hence receiving the money) If you have luck/motivation/connections/skillset - you might find a job related to your (future) degree too. I knew several people on my CS course who worked IT support at a local office for a few months whilst living with their parents - then set off on a backpacking trip somewhere exotic.
pimterry 5y ago
Not really. It's not free, but its dramatically cheaper than the US, and usually paid via government-provided loans with good terms (low interest, fixed repayment of 9% percent of your salary above a reasonable minimum, taken automatically by employers). It's closer to a graduate tax than a traditional loan. Everybody can have a loan for the full cost if they want one, people from poorer families get outright grants instead. Certainly not perfect, but my impression is it hasn't significantly hindered uptake from lower income students and its not a major financial burden in practice.