Gap year organisations

Voluntary work

• African Conservation ExperienceAfrican Conservation Experience arranges volunteer placements on game and nature reserves in Southern Africa.
• Amanzi TravelLeading UK specialist in volunteer experiences throughout Africa. Amazing opportunities - conserving endangered wildlife, working on community/ medical projects, teaching and sports coaching to disadvantaged children, plus incredible adventure activities. A family-run business, passionate about the projects offered with a service second-to-none.
• AzafadyVolunteer placements in the areas of wildlife conservation (including working with lemurs) and community development in impoverished communities. Azafady is a registered charity.
• Blue VenturesAn award-winning, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to coral reef conservation and sustainable development in Madagascar. Through marine expeditions, volunteers work with the field research team, in partnership with local communities.
• BUNACPaid work abroad and volunteer work abroad programmes for people looking for new opportunities.
• Camphill Communities UKBe a long-term or short-term volunteer in a community with children, adolescents and adults with learning disabilities.
• Camps InternationalOrganises responsible volunteer trips to work with rural communities to improve the education facilities. Sustainable projects are running year round and key areas of work are teaching, bringing a clean water supply to schools and the refurbishment and construction of classrooms and desks.
• FrontierVolunteer projects, training and expeditions. Help save endangered wildlife and protect threatened ecosystems and get qualifications in Tropical Habitat Conservation, Expedition Management, or TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).
• Gap Year for Grown-UpsCareer break and volunteer specialists in over 25 countries for the over 30's.
• Global Vision InternationalVolunteer placements in the areas of conservation and community development, including a new project working with koalas in Australia.
• Global Volunteer Network (GVN)Volunteering projects in communities in need.
• GlobalteerAffordable volunteer placements with children and animals. Work with street children, or volunteer in a centre for rescued wild animals. Placements in an elephant sanctuary also available.
• Hands around the WorldSending short-term volunteers to help in developing countries, making links and encouraging lasting friendships. Some in groups-building for a month, others skill-sharing for 3-6 months.
• MadventurerRuns development projects in the fields of construction, teaching, conservation and medicine.
• Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)MSF sends doctors, nurses, logistics specialists and engineers to work alongside local staff in developing countries to provide emergency medical aid. Administrators are also needed.
• Mondo ChallengeVolunteer in rural development programmes. All programmes are community based, meaning that you live and work alongside local people.
• Outreach InternationalVolunteering projects with grass roots, local organisations. Become part of the community and learn the language. Projects include teaching English, sports, arts, computer studies, working with homeless or disabled children, conservation and development.
• Projects AbroadProjects Abroad offer a diverse range of volunteer projects, plus the opportunity to become part of a local community overseas.
• Quest Overseas and Quest UnderseasGroup or lone volunteer placements and expeditions on ethical and sustainable projects that support long-term development. Provides community and marine conservation projects for gap years, career breaks or research students - onward 'escapes' also available.
• Real Gap A huge range of career break and gap year opportunities, including volunteer work, adventure travel and sports programmes.
• Sunrise InternationalThe specialist for China volunteer projects, offering two weeks to one year volunteer opportunities abroad in social, environment, education, medical, journalism and community areas in China. Offices are in Beijing and the UK to ensure a well-supported placement.
• The LeapA variety of volunteer placements combined with adventure travel, including safaris and sports programmes. From 2 weeks to 3 months.
• Travellers WorldwideFlexible volunteer placements, including teaching (English, sports, drama, and art), conservation work (orangutans, lions, elephants), and language courses.
• Trekforce WorldwideOrganises volunteer conservation and community development projects in remote locations, concentrating on real travel with a real purpose.
• VivistoLifetime experiences for those in need of a career break, sabbatical or gap year. Experiences range from conservation work in Africa to adrenalin sports in New Zealand, plus career guidance, CV writing and a job search to help revitalise your career.
• Volunteering SolutionsAffordable, reliable and meaningful volunteer opportunities in various projects such as medicine, teaching, orphanages and community development. Travel packages also available.
• VSOPaid volunteer placements from two months to two years in the areas of business management, education and health.

Teaching English

• EF English FirstTeach English abroad. Subsidised TEFL courses give you an internationally-recognised qualification, and a guaranteed job with an EF school abroad.

Paid work abroad

• PGL TravelA range of jobs at centres for activity holidays and educational courses for children. Catering, housekeeping, administration, drivers and maintenance opportunities are also available.

Travel and expeditions

• Afreco Tours LtdWildlife safari trips and adventures. Take an accredited Safari Guide training course (4 weeks to 1 year) or a Game Ranger Experience trips (4 days to 2 weeks). Also Tracks & Tracking Adventures, bush and wildlife courses, and wildlife photography courses.
• DragomanOverland expeditions and adventure travel
• Earthwatch InstituteOrganises volunteer projects in the areas of wildlife conservation and environmental research looking at global climate change, habitat loss, threatened species, and biodiversity.
• Explore WorldwideSmall group adventure holidays, with minimal impact on the local community and surrounding area. Discover the beautiful Amalfi coast; journey into Bhutan or trek through African rainforest to see the Gorillas of Uganda. New volunteer projects available. Tours range from 4 to 29 days in length.
• Intrepid TravelIntrepid is a small group adventure travel company, offering over 300 trips in over 50 countries, specialising in 'off the beaten track' adventure.
• Jingando HolidaysFlexible career break programmes that show you a different side of Brazil, focusing on full immersion and involvement in local life and culture. Programmes include learning Brazilian dance, percussion, capoeira, Portuguese or surfing. You can also volunteer in local community projects.
• OzBusBus trips from London to Sydney. An unforgettable, epic 12-week journey through some amazing places, competitively priced and a fantastic experience.
• Trek America'Off the beaten track' adventure travel, including things like white-water rafting, horse riding and camping.
• Tucan TravelA variety of adventure tours and expeditions, including Budget Expeditions, Discovery Tours and Independent Travel. Over 300 tours are available and the wide range means there’ll be something to suit your own travelling style.
• World ExpeditionsTrekking and adventure holidays. These include mountaineering, treks, rafting expeditions, cycling tours, sea-kayaking, canoeing, polar voyages, charity challenges, cultural adventures and community project travel.

Training, learning and studying

• Action ProfessionalsTrain to be a fitness instructor and get internationally-recognised sports qualifications. Other activities, such as kite-surfing and Spanish lessons also available.
• Art History AbroadUnique courses abroad to study European culture, art, architecture and history.
• Gap Year DiverRecreational and professional scuba diving courses. Dive for fun or become an instructor in only 13 weeks! PADI-accedited.
• Global Yacht Training and RacingGlobal Yacht Training offers RYA sail training to instructor level, leading to great jobs in the marine industry all over the world. Global Yacht Racing can provide you with worldwide yacht racing whilst raising money for the charity Sail 4 Cancer.
• International House LondonA full range of TEFL courses - full-time, part-time and distance learning. You can earn an internationally-recognised certificate, enabling you to teach all over the world.
• Peak LeadersSki and snowboard instructor and improver courses from 4-12 weeks. You ge an internationally-recognised qualification, plus help finding a job.
• Ticket to Ride Career breaks and gap years combining surfing courses, adventure travel and community development work. Learn to surf, get internationally-recognised qualifications, travel through Africa and do volunteer work.
• West Cork Sailing and Powerboating CentreCruising, sailing and powerboat training. Get qualifications to be a yacht skipper and work around the world in sailing jobs.

Adventure sports

• Base Camp GroupWorks with world class coaches to deliver professionally run training programmes that are ideal if you are on a gap year, career break or looking for a fast track into the industry. Learn skiing, snowboarding, scuba diving, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, waterskiing, skydiving, paramotoring and mountain biking.
• Fluid FeelingKitesurfing and surfing courses (beginner to advanced levels), plus kiteboarding instructor courses, which lead to an internationally-recognised qualification. Language courses are also available.
• Flying FishFlying Fish trains and recruits over 600 people each year to work as yacht skippers and as watersports and snow sports instructors. All courses lead to professional qualifications. A year out with Flying Fish is a unique opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and work anywhere in the world.
• Plas Menai National Watersports CentreTrain in sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, powerboating and cruising and gain professional internationally-recognised instructor qualifications enabling you to gain work in the watersports industry both in the UK and abroad.
• Real Sport ExperienceA sports travel specialist offering the best gap year sports opportunities abroad. Programmes include: sports training abroad, sports volunteer projects, ski/snowboard instructor courses, scuba diving courses and extreme expeditions for those into adventure travel.
• SnowSkool LtdSnowSkool offers short and long ski and snowboard instructor training courses. You can get an internationally-recognised qualification and they have a 100% pass rate.