Shahid Mustaq Murshed Study Abroad Content Specialist
Study Abroad Content Specialist
Every year, thousands of international student choose UK as their study abroad destination. UK’s excellent academic offerings, top-ranked universities, shorter courses, scholarship and post-study work opportunities are the main reason behind it. Now, selecting the right university and applying at the right time is the key to success. Hence, it is important for aspirants to know about the intakes in UK, in which they are required to apply.
September, January, and May intakes are the three intakes in UK. Fall/ September intake is the main intake, January/ Winter is the secondary intake. The top universities in UK like the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Coventry University accept international students in January and September intakes. May/ Summer intake is offered by selected universities like, University of Kent, Brunel University London, University of Bedfordshire and others.
Timelines for UK Intakes for International Students
You will have to prepare your application well in advance before applying for admission to UK universities. Below, we have discussed a thorough plan that you can consider for applying to the top universities of the UK.
| Preparations Steps | Fall/ September | Winter/ January | Summer/ May |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Course/University | Between August to October of last year | Between January to April of last year | After May month |
| Compare and Apply | By December of last year | June to August of the last year | July to August of last year |
| Check Eligibility | In January of the admission year | August of last year | August to September |
| Apply for a student visa to study in the UK | Between February to April of the year of applying | June to September of last year | January of the application year |
| Appear for the standardized tests | From April of the same year | From August to September of the last year | By January of the application year |
| Prepare required documents | By May to July of the admission year | September to October of the last year | Within February to March of the Winter Application year |
| Apply as per deadlines | August to October | September to November | April to May |
Also Check: UK Student Visa
September Intake in UK
Brief highlights of the September intake in UK are given below.
- Timeline: Applications open from September to December of the previous year. Deadlines for most top universities fall between January and March.
- Course Availability: The widest range of courses, including popular subjects like Engineering, Business, and Arts.
- Student Preference: Approximately 70% of international students, including Indians, apply for this intake due to broader course options and higher acceptance rates.
- Visa Application Timing: Ideal time for visa processing is between May and July, allowing 2-3 months for approval.
January Intake in UK
Quick description of the January intake in UK is as follows
- Timeline: Applications open from June to September, with deadlines around October to November.
- Course Availability: Limited course offerings, primarily in Business, Computer Science, and a few select Science and Engineering programs.
- Student Preference: About 20-25% of Indian students apply for this intake, making it less competitive. It is ideal for the students who missed the September intake.
- Visa Application Timing: Applications should be submitted between November and December for a successful visa process.
May Intake in UK
Check out a brief description of the May intake in UK given below
- Timeline: Applications open from October to February, with final deadlines in March.
- Course Availability: Limited to specialized programs, short courses, and a few Business and STEM programs.
- Student Preference: Only around 5-10% of Indian students opt for this intake due to the limited program options.
- Visa Application Timing: Applications should be completed by March for timely processing.
Application Deadlines for the Main Intakes in UK
As you already know, Fall/ September, Winter/ January, and Summer/ May are the main 3 UK intake months. Majority of the universities in UK accept applications from international students via UCAS. Over 35,000 undergraduate courses and more than 21,000 postgraduate courses are offered via UCAS. Check the UCAS 2025 application deadlines are as follows
- Undergraduate applications open for 2025 entry: May 14, 2024
- Completed undergraduate applications can be submitted to UCAS: September 3, 2024
- Deadline for Oxford and Cambridge, and most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science: October 15, 2024
- Application deadline for most undergraduate courses: January 29, 2025
- UCAS Extra opens: February 26, 2025
- Deadline for the applications to be sent to universities and colleges: June 30, 2025
- UCAS Extra closes: July 4, 2025
Application Deadline for Top Universities in UK
We have listed the application deadlines for 10 top universities in UK as per QS ranking 2025 as these are the university with January intake in UK. Remember, these universities also accept international students in all the UK intakes for masters.
| Universities | QS 2025 Rank | Application Deadline for UG |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial College London | #2 | January 29, 2025 |
| University of Oxford | #3 | Closed |
| University of Cambridge | #5 | Closed |
| University College London | #9 | Mid-October every year |
| University of Edinburgh | #27 | January 2025 |
| University of Manchester | #34 | Accepting applications from May 14, 2024 until seats are full |
| King’s College London | #40 | January 29, 2025 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | #50 | Closed |
| University of Bristol | #54 | January 31 of your planned entry year |
| University of Warwick | #69 | January 29, 2025 |
Also check: UK Universities with high Acceptance Rates
Documents Required to Study in UK
Candidates who are applying for admission must have to prepare and arrange some of the supporting documents for the UK university intakes. Below, we have listed some of the mandatory documents which are required for applying to the top universities of the UK for international candidates.
- Completed application form
- Student permit for UK or visa application
- Academic transcripts
- Statement of Purpose
- Personal essay
- Standardized test scores
- Letters of recommendation
- Proof of financial availability
- Health insurance (if required).
- CV/ resume.
- Immigration documents
- English proficiency test scores
- GPA, GMAT, or GRE scores
- Work Experience (if applicable)
Also read: How to Apply to UK universities
Plan well in advance to ensure you can navigate your applications and optimize your chances of success: getting admitted to your desired university. September or fall intake in UK is one of the popular intakes that international students apply to study in UK. The universities of the UK offer major courses and their flagship programs in this intake. There are also many internship opportunities available for September UK intake for masters.
FAQs
Ques. How many intakes are there in the UK?
Ans. UK has three main intakes: September (Fall), January (Winter), and May (Summer). The September intake is the largest, offering the widest range of courses, followed by the January intake with select program options. The May intake, available for specific courses, is the least common and has limited availability.
Ques. Which intake is best in the UK?
Ans. The September intake is generally considered the best for international students, including those from India, as it offers the most course options, scholarship opportunities, and a higher number of university seats. This intake is also advantageous for students looking for post-study work visas and internships since it aligns with the primary academic cycle in the UK.
Ques. How many school intakes are there in the UK?
Ans. For primary and secondary schools, the UK usually has one main intake, in September, which marks the start of the academic year. Some schools may offer additional admission cycles, especially for international students, in January or April, though these are less common.
Ques. Is a gap acceptable in the UK?
Ans. Yes, gaps are generally acceptable in the UK, provided the student can explain the reason for the break in studies. Many universities accept gaps of up to two to three years for undergraduate applicants and five years or more for postgraduate applicants. Common acceptable reasons include work experience, internships, travel, or health-related issues.
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