There are many top-ranking universities and colleges in the UK with degrees that are internationally recognized. So, international students prefer the UK as their study destination. There are many intakes available throughout the year in different UK universities. Each varies according to the course and the university’s admission protocols. Three such intakes usually exist in the UK, also referred to as terms in some institutions. They are the September/October intake (Fall intake), January/February intake (Winter intake), and April/May intake (Summer intake). In this blog, you’ll get complete information on the three intakes and a lot more related to this.
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How Many Intakes are there in the UK?
There are three main intake seasons in the UK: September to October, January to February, and April to May, where you can enroll in courses such as undergraduate, postgraduate, and diplomas.
UK universities admit students during three main intakes for course enrollment; mostly, diploma or undergraduate programs begin around September/October and January/February, with a few universities also offering limited courses in April/May. The September/October intake may be the most prominent; however, the January/February intake features a good number of options. This January/February intake is a good one for students who missed out on the September/October as it offers more time to apply without having to rush through the process and fill in any gaps in one’s profile.
Which Intake is Best for the UK in 2025 for International Students?
One key aspect, which upon completion, will greatly affect you would be deciding which UK intake would be most beneficial for your academic undertaking, with a closer look at how understanding UK intakes for masters would help you with proper alignment of the courses with the particular intake and, in the same go, how they can access plenty of opportunities later on. The factors to consider are:
Course Availability
Check if your chosen course is available in the intake you have in mind. Some courses are only offered in September or January.
Competition
September intake is more competitive as it is in high demand. In January, there will be a smaller number of applications, which will give you a better chance.
Universities
Not all universities would offer the same courses under both of the intakes. So, make sure that your preferred university offers your course under the intake of your choice.
Deadline Date of Preparation
January intake might suit you if your exams or other applications or documents take a longer time.
Internships and Jobs
The September intake is more favorable in alignment with internship and job cycles, which might subsequently lead to finding good opportunities after the end of the course.
Visa and Finance
Students are supposed to have plenty of time to apply for a student visa and arrange tuition and all living expenses based on the intake deadlines. It is essential to know the deadlines for UK intakes to ensure that most applications will be submitted on time.
Also Read :- MOI Accepted Universities in the UK
September/Fall Intake in UK
September or Fall intake refers to the main admission process through which UK universities have a number of courses available. It is the most popular intake for international students because there are many other applicants, too. The application timelines, which vary from one university and course to another, generally begin in February and run until May. It is also called autumn intake in the UK. The term September intake is probably the one that describes the intake. Because it is the start of the academic year in the UK, it has the highest number of students enrolled. More than 80% of aspirants choose to apply during this intake, with plenty of choices for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Being aligned with the academic calendar all over the world, this is the most convenient option for students.
Here are some facts to know about the September/Fall Intake
- Most popular, lively campus with a larger crowd.
- Gets extra support services and orientation programs to settle in socially and academically.
- Structured through the academic year.
- The best chance of studies being completed and on time.
- More demand and competition in terms of admissions and accommodation.
- Some courses and programs tend to be limited.
- High accommodation and living costs owing to high demand.
Applicability: A student wanting a wholesome university experience and all sorts of opportunities and support services. September is the most favored among the rest of the UK intakes.
Pro Tip: Get started 8-12 months in advance with your applications! Getting scholarships and accommodation can take time, so be early.
Application Deadlines: The last date to apply for the September 2025 intake in the UK for most undergraduate courses is January 29, 2025. The final application deadline for all undergraduate courses is June 30, 2025.
January/Winter Intake in UK
The second type of intake is the January intake, also referred to as the winter intake. Even though there are fewer courses compared with the September intake, it enables students who could not make it during the major admission intakes to do so.
The application for the January intake is normally during June and can close in September, depending on the course and the particular university. January intake is unique from September intake because the students get more time to work on their applications to compensate for the loss. However, the candidate should be aware that the course options might be more limited than those presented to those joining in September. This intake is perfect for students who wish to pursue a Master’s degree and have a reasonable shot at getting into an academic year.
This intake has some major highlights, such as:
- Good for those who did not make it to the autumn semester or require more time to prepare.
- More time is needed for learners to adapt to the new environment before learning starts in the academic year.
- Less competition in admission as well as in seeking accommodation.
- Students with scheduling conflicts and personal convenience are able to join lessons with more flexibility.
- Cheaper courses and programs are to be offered in these intakes as compared to the preceding intakes.
- This orientation and support services enrolled in autumn have not been done.
- Some students may not be able to complete it before their time in school is used up.
Ideal for: Students who require additional time in preparing visa applications, application for funding, etc. It is also suitable for those who wish to proceed to postgraduate with no fixed time of when they want to commence their course.
Application Deadlines:
Postgraduate: In the analyzed period between September and November
Undergraduate: Rolling admissions, if offered by the university.
May/Summer Intake
May or summer intake is the least preferred admission season in the UK, as the majority of the students prefer vacations in the spring season. Therefore, it is available in only a few universities and with a couple of degrees. But this also comes with the fact that there is less competition, and therefore, most applicants stand a higher probability of being admitted. However, not all colleges and universities accept students through this intake. For those who do, you should apply early, maybe in January or February, if you intend to begin your higher education in May.
Highlights of this intake:
- This is for students who wish to begin their lessons outside the academic calendar year.
- More opportunities for having a part-time job and during summer practice.
- Less competition when it comes to admission, and especially when it comes to accommodation.
- The number of courses and programs offered during this intake is quite limited as compared to the previous one.
- Times lost for orientation sessions and other available services in the autumn.
- Studying in a new environment and having limited time to complete all academic activities before graduating.
Ideal for: Students who want or need flexibility or courses that are not offered in September-October or January-February.
Application Deadlines:
Postgraduate: March to April (takes slightly different time in different universities)
MBA Intakes in UK
MBA is very popular among the International students who want to study overseas. Courses are considered one of the most famous options studied by UK universities. In most of the universities and business schools across the UK, MBA intakes are usually in April or May every year, But few are also having intakes during the fall or September. The MBA admissions process often can go up to four or five rounds; it takes, on average, 6-7 months till September.
PhD Intakes in UK
As adapted in the UK, all universities have rolling admissions for the Ph.D. programs, and therefore, applications can be submitted any time of the year. As for the Ph.D. programs, there are no strict fixed intakes; you may apply under any of the three intakes mentioned above or depending on the admission periods specified by the specific university of your choice. This provides you with the luxury of choosing the semester to apply, and they, in turn, apply at their discretion.
Many universities in the UK offer Ph.D. programs and you can search for a program that will favour you.
Intakes for Masters in UK
In the UK, there are three main intakes for admissions, and major learning of the Master’s program is done in January and September. Some universities also conduct May intakes for Master’s programs. Studying from September or January allows you to apply to more than five universities and remain unfixed. In general, January and September intakes are ranked high for students who want to achieve a Master’s degree because most prestigious universities accept students during these two terms.
Advice for Applying in UK Intakes
To undergo study in UK universities, the desired planning for applications should be made with attention to detail. With proper research put in ahead, you can easily lock your place at the top universities and transition into your academic experience in the UK.
Early Start: Start working on your application material other items, including personal declarations, recommendations, and portfolios, at least one year ahead of your intended intake period.
Apprise Yourself of the Course Availability: Not all programs are offered at intakes. If your dream program isn’t offered in January or May, you may have to sit for the September intake.
Be Updated About Visa Processing Times: Obtaining a UK student visa is a lengthy process. Account for this in your application timeline to avoid stressful spats.
Secure Your Accommodation in Advance: Popular universities have a very high demand for student housing. Book your living once you receive the letter of acceptance so you don’t miss the chance to live in easy and cheap housing.
Apply for Scholarships: Most scholarships are for the September intake, so it’s right for you not to miss any financial assistance. Early research and results of your application to scholarships.
Choose the Intake Wisely!
Understanding the different intakes in the UK is imperative, especially on your academic journey plan. Usually, in the UK, the intakes offered are the January UK intake, May UK intake, or the September UK intake.
For those intending to follow a UK intake 2025 for international students, it is important to determine which intake is the best suited to the UK’s program if you are correctly set and prepared. This way, the September intake in the UK attracts the highest number of students, who are preparing for a January UK intake and May UK intake by offering flexible time.
Are you ready to kickstart your academic journey in the UK? But worried about how to achieve it? Connect to Global Educare today for personalized guidance and assistance with all the queries.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is the best intake in the UK?
The best intake depends on the individual; September is the most popular intake and offers the most courses and scholarships available in universities. However, January may be preferred by those who need additional preparation time or have missed the September deadline. May has few courses, and places are limited.
- Is there an intake in February in the UK?
February intakes are much less common; rather, they tend to be offered in the UK by those universities for certain postgraduate courses, primarily in business and healthcare areas. However, it is not as widespread as the September and January intakes, and its availability depends entirely on the objective situation of each university.
- How much of a gap is accepted for study in the UK?
A year or two break is usually accepted by many UK universities but again would differ between programs and universities. Four-Eight years might be unacceptable in most universities, and generally, this would need to be supplemented with appropriate work experience, further education, or personal development to enhance the competitiveness of your application.
- When to apply for universities in the UK in 2025?
Best time to apply may be January 2025 for the academic year September 2025. Early application will give you extra hours to get your documents processed and visa approval. You may find some universities with an earlier deadline, so it is better to have it checked on the universities’ website.
