Women going on gap years are outnumbering men by three to two, according to a study by the Year Out Group of almost 39,000 people taking a year out last year.

While most of those choosing to travel, volunteer or work in a business have been young men and women wanting a break between school and university, gap organisations report that increasing numbers are taking time out to gain experience before a job.

The Year Out Group also claims that 3,000 more people chose to take a break last year than in 2005.

With the introduction of top-up fees last year, some believed that the Government had killed off the opportunity for school leavers to take time out to explore the world.

However in 2005 the percentage of all students deferring university courses for a year rose from 7 to 10 per cent, at 35,126. The total taking a year out was above 200,000, including those who have deferred after receiving their results.

Sixty per cent of the Year Out Group members’ placements are taken by girls. They are more likely to choose volunteering, while boys are more likely to go on sailing or ski instruction courses that teach a skill.

Richard Oliver, chief executive of the Year Out group, said girls were more organised: “I’ve brought up three boys and they were all oarsmen. The most important thing was to get into the First VIII, then to get to Henley.” He added: “Girls are more astute — and the really bright ones are thinking how they might use their gap year sensibly to improve their employment prospects.”

Times Recommends

• Swine flu vaccine for all as drug rushed through
• Artificial sperm and the race to build a baby
• BBC jets out stars to tout for prizes