Are you excited to study in the UK and looking for an appropriate time? There are three main intakes in UK for international students: the September/October intake (Fall), the January/February intake (Winter), and the April/May intake (Spring).
The Fall intake is the most popular in the UK, followed by the Winter intake, while the Spring intake is generally the least common. In this blog, we will discuss the most popular intakes in the UK, top universities, courses, admission deadlines, and application guidelines. So, if you want to study abroad in the UK, this blog will help you a lot.
Popular Intakes in UK
Intake means entry time when the university’s admissions are open for international students. There are three popular intakes in UK. Such as:
- Fall Intake (September/October): September/Fall is the primary intake in the UK, in which universities offer a wide range of courses. The Fall intake in UK starts in September/October and ends in December.
- Winter Intake (January/February): This is the secondary intake in UK, in which universities offer comparatively fewer programs than the fall intake. Winter intake in the UK starts in January or February month and ends in April or May.
- Summer Intake (April/May): This is the least competitive intake during which universities offer fewer courses, like specialised, master’s or vocational programs only. Summer intake in the UK starts in April/May and ends in August.
| Intakes in UK | Duration |
| September Intake | September – December |
| January Intake | January – April |
| May Intake | May-August |
Check Your Eligibility!
September Intake in the UK
The September intake in the UK is generally known as the Fall intake. This is the largest admission session conducted by the UK universities. Almost 80% of applications are received through the UK Fall intake.Â
Overseas education experts prefer this intake to pursue a course in the university of their dreams since there will be more options available to choose from. The application timeline for the September intake in the UK generally opens in February and runs until June.
September Intake Universities in UK
Almost every university in the UK offers a September intake for international students. September is the best admission period among the three intakes in UK. Let’s explore the September 2025 intake universities in the UK.
- Ulster University
- Northumbria University
- Aston University
- Birmingham City University
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
- London South Bank University
- University College Birmingham
- Coventry University
- Canterbury Christ Church University
- Arden University, etc.
Popular Courses for UK September intake
September is the most demanding intake in the UK because almost every course remains available through this intake. Get some popular September intake courses in the UK at a glance.
- Business and Management
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Economics and Finance
- Law
- Graphic Design
- Psychology
- Political Science
September Intake Admission Deadline in the UK
The primary deadline for the September intake at UK universities is typically January 31st for most undergraduate courses. However, some competitive programs of Oxford and Cambridge, and many in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science, have an earlier deadline of October 15th of the previous year.Â
Postgraduate programs in the September intake in the UK generally have deadlines between December and June, depending on the university and course.
January Intake in the UK
The January intake in the UK is also known as the Winter intake. This is the second largest admission session conducted by the universities in the UK. January intake in the UK is suitable for those students who have missed the September intake to study in the UK.
The application for January intake in the UK generally opens in June of the previous year and mostly ends in September.
Popular Universities for January Intake in the UK
Unlike September intake, there are few universities offer admission through the January intake. Let’s explore the popular universities for January intake in the UK.
- Bangor University
- Coventry University
- Edinburgh Napier University
- Aston University
- De Montfort University
- University of Derby
January Intake Courses in the UK
In the UK, the January intake is a secondary entry point for university admission, often offering courses that are also available during the main September intake. Let’s explore some popular courses for the UK January intake.
- Computer Science and IT
- Data Science
- Cyber Security
- Marketing
- International Business
- Nursing
- Accounting
January Intake Deadline for the UK
The application deadlines for the January intake in UK universities for the 2026 term (starting in January 2026) will typically fall between July and November 2025. However, these deadlines can vary depending on the specific university and program.
May Intake in the UK
The May intake in the UK is also known as the Summer intake. This is because students usually take the Summer break at that time. So, this is the least competitive intake in the UK, especially for the postgraduate programmes.
So, if you are starting your higher education in the May intake in the UK, then apply to the universities by January or February.
Popular Universities for May Intake in the UK
Several UK universities offer May intakes, popular options include:
- Ulster University
- Northumbria University
- Coventry University
- University of Bedfordshire
- Northumbria University
- Ulster University and
- Brunel University
May Intake Courses in the UK
The May intake in the UK offers a few number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, particularly for students who may have missed the September and January intake or wish to accelerate their studies.
- Business and Management
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- MBA
- Construction Engineering Management
- Civil Engineering
- Social Sciences, etc.
May Intake Deadline in the UK
The application deadline for the May intake in UK universities is generally between February and March 2025. However, it’s recommended to check the specific deadlines for each university. It’s crucial to apply early, especially considering the visa processing time in the UK, to ensure a smooth application process.
How to Apply to the UK?
To apply to the UK, you generally need to start by determining which visa you require, whether it’s for a standard visitor visa, a student visa, or another category. Then, you’ll need to apply online, gather the necessary documents, provide biometrics, and pay any required fees.
Documents Requirements to Study in the UK
To study in the UK, you’ll need some mandatory documents as an international student. Such as:
- Academic certificates
- English Language Certificate
- Valid passport
- Personal statement
- CV
- Financial requirements
- Tuberculosis test results
- Biometric residence permit
- Reference letters
- Experience certificates, etc.
Popular Scholarships to Study in the UK
The following are the popular scholarships available for international students planning to pursue their studies in the upcoming intakes in UK.
- Chevening Scholarship
- GREAT Scholarships
- Commonwealth Scholarships
- British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM
- Sidney Perry Foundation Grants
- Felix Scholarship, etc.
Final Words
International students always find cost-effective options while choosing a country to study abroad. However, they always miss the appropriate time when the visa chances are high, when the part-time jobs are available, when they will get more scholarships, etc.
However, hopefully this article helped you a lot to know details about the intakes in UK. If you want to apply to the UK in this September, you can always contact AIMS Education.Â
Ready to contact AIMS Education? Just submit the enquiry form with the required information, and one of our Expert teams will contact you soon.
FAQ
How many intakes are there in the UK?
Ans: The UKÂ offers three main intakes for international students: September (Fall), January (Winter), and May (Spring).
Which intake is best for the UK?
Ans: For most international students who want to study in the UK, the September intake (also known as the Autumn intake) is generally considered the best option.
Is the UK January intake good?
Ans: The January intake in the UK is considered a secondary intake, with fewer courses offered compared to the main September intake.
Is there a December intake in the UK?
Ans: There are three main intakes in UK for international students: the September/October intake (Fall), the January/February intake (Winter), and the April/May intake (Spring).
What is the difference between the September and January intakes?
Ans: September offers a more traditional start to the academic year, while January is suitable if you need more time to prepare or missed the September deadlines in the UK.
AIMS Education is the best study abroad consultancy firm guiding students in selecting courses, universities and help them apply and secure their student visas. Also, AIMS Education is a British Council-certified agent and is listed on the British Council global agent list. We provide student recruitment services in UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Hungary, Poland, Denmark, Malta, Finland, France, Austria, Spain, Sweden, Malaysia and UAE. Not only this but also AIMS Education is an ICEF Accredited Agent, UCAS Registered Centre, PTE and Language Cert Partner.