Many organisations will arrange opportunities to volunteer for a variety of projects in the UK and abroad. Most will charge a fee to cover costs, so ensure that you research the company thoroughly before payment.

General information:

  • Prospects - Information from the AGCAS 'Special Interest Series' on gap years.
  • Target Jobs - Gap year advice. 

A-Z of organisers (not conclusive)

A - H

Abroad China abroadchina.net  
Abroad China offers several programs, including internship programs, volunteer programs and study tours

AISEC www.aiesec.org
AIESEC is a 60 year-old global organisation that develops students and recent graduates into leaders by running and participating in an international exchange program

Barracudas www.barracudas.co.uk 
Children's holiday camps in the UK

British Council www.iaeste.org.uk
The British Council provides international placements for undergraduate scientists, engineers and architects through the IAESTE program

BUNAC www.bunac.org
Opportunities range from the popular camp counselling programme, Summer Camp USA, and flexible work and travel programmes in Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand to volunteering/teaching placements in Africa, South and Central America, South East Asia and China

Camp Counsellors USA www.ccusa.com 
CCUSA offers work in children's summer camps around the world

Coral Cay Conservation www.coralcay.org
Company providing a range of conservation themed expeditions

Earthwatch www.earthwatch.org
An international environmental charity offering expeditions with an emphasis on helping the environment

EcoSwell www.ecoswell.org/
Not-for-profit NGO whose mission is to design and develop socio-environmental, educational and infrastructure projects with the purpose of guiding the development of rural/semi-rural localities through the path of a sustainable development, increasing the quality of life of their inhabitants.

Gapforce www.gapforce.org
Organisation that provides short and long term gap year programs

Global Vision www.gvi.co.uk
Providing links to charity-led conservation and community projects

Go Discover Abroad www.godiscoverabroad.com
Offers over 200 programmes in 40+ countries around the world. These include voluntours, internships, language learning courses, adventure tours, safaris, treks and more

I - P

i-to-i www.i-to-i.com  
i-to-i is one of the world's leading TEFL course and internship providers, running English government-regulated TEFL training and international placements for first time TEFL teachers plus a comprehensive TEFL jobs board

Intro Travel https://www.introtravel.com
Gap Year opportunities available in Australia and South East Asia

IST Plus www.istplus.com 
Programmes in English speaking countries or teaching in China and Thailand

KIYA Survivors www.kiyasurvivors.org  
Building educational centres for underprivileged children in Peru

Lattitude www.lattitude.org.uk
A charity specialising in volunteering for 17-25 year olds, who aim to provide unique experiences of voluntary work placements for young people from around the world

Mad Adventurer www.madadventurer.com 
Community projects and adventure holidays around the world

Next Step www.nextstepconnections.com 
Placements across a variety of professional areas in Shanghai, China

Oyster Worldwide www.oysterworldwide.com
Oyster Worldwide is a well-regarded gap year travel and responsible travel specialist.

Pagoda Projects www.pagodaprojects.com
An educational organisation which offers online internships, internships abroad and study tours to students.

Projects Abroad www.projects-abroad.co.uk 
Volunteering projects in developing countries across sectors such as medicine, care, teaching, conservation and jounalism

Q - Z

Real Gap Experience www.realgap.co.uk
Large gap year travel company offering wide range of programmes

Seed Madagascar www.madagascar.co.uk 
A charity dedicated to environmental conservation and tackling poverty

Travellers Worldwide www.travellersworldwide.com 
Wide range of world-wide projects

Travelteer www.travelteer.co.uk
Volunteering opportunities in South Asia across sectors such as medicine, teaching, sport and conservation

Trekforce www.trekforce.org.uk 
Conservation, teaching placements, expeditions

UNA Exchange www.unaexchange.org 
Provide volunteering opportunities in community schemes across Wales as well as overseas

Venture Co. www.ventureco-worldwide.com 
Adventure holidays for different age groups

Volunteer World www.volunteerworld.com
Comparison platform for international volunteer opportunities

VSO www.vso.org.uk 
Volunteering projects in international development