Some good advice and opinions so far.
I think it's clear there are probably benefits to either option!
To my mind a degree is certainly useful in the job market, and indeed for some jobs is a definite requirement. Especially these days where I gather that so many more people appear to be going to university. It also appears the school leaving age is possibly to be raised to 18, so I would expect degrees to become even more the "norm" in future.
However, there is definately something to be said for joining a company at 18 after A levels, and this would not generally stop you from enjoying the same progression as a graduate.
My own experiences of Uni were mixed, yeah it was a laugh, but I felt is was something I had to do, rather than wanted to do. My degree was "Mickey Mouse" (as someone rather kindly put it) but it got me the job I wanted with a large multinational accounting firm. From there I got my ACA (degree required to do this I think), reached manager level and now am on a secondment overseas.
However, I honestly believe I could have done my course (12-15hrs a week lectures) in 18-24 months, and saved a year of my life and a few grand. I also studied something that is of little relevance to my job now.
Interestingly, I met a school pal at my company some time later, who went the A-Level route and was at the same grade as me, although he had been working longer, obviously he had more experience and no student loans !
I had my GAP year after school, working at H Samuel's warehouse in Hockley for 3 months, then went to the States (Connecticut) on a school exchange. A great laugh, but looking back it wasn't a great life experience to spend my GAP year in a school, although being away from home in a different culture was good. A lot of graduate employers offer extended breaks during your career these days, so unless you have the funding and the committment to do a worthwhile GAP year after school/Uni , you could always wait until 2-3 years into you new job, and take 3-6 months to go travelling. Another option is to borrow from your bank based on a job offer 12 months in the future (you will need your offer letter and sometimes these come with the promise of a golden handshake of a couple of grand) and use this to fund your GAP year prior to starting your new career.
My main advice would be - sit down, have a think, make a plan , and go and action it!
