The UK is one of the most popular study abroad destinations, where thousands of international students move every year to pursue higher education. Students wanting to get admitted to UK universities for international student degree programs have to choose between three different intakes in the UK winter, autumn, and summer.
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So, if you're the one who dreams of getting into a UK university, let's understand each UK intake in 2025 for international students, the differences between them, and how to choose the best one.
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Table of Contents |
Admission Intakes in The UK: January vs September vs May Intake
There are two main intakes offered by UK universities - spring intake (January/February) and the autumn intake (September/ October). Apart from these two intakes in the UK, there is also an additional intake for some selected programs offered by UK universities - summer intake (April/ May).
Let us understand the differences between them:
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January Intake or Winter/Spring Intake in UK |
September Intake or Fall/ Autumn Intake in UK |
May Intake or Summer Intake in UK |
|---|---|---|
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Secondary Intake |
Primary Intake |
Offered by selected few universities |
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Less number of programs offered |
Universities/ colleges offers their main programs |
Least choice of programs |
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Lesser applications |
Receives maximum number of applications, therefore intense competition |
There are very few applications with least competition |
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Sessions begins from January |
Sessions begins from September |
Session begins from May |
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Application open: September to November |
Application open: December to July |
Application open: October to November |
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Admission: June and September |
Admission: February and May |
Admission: January and February |
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Limited availability of Scholarships & aids |
Maximum availability of Scholarships & aids |
Least availability of scholarships & aids |
Suggested: UK Education System
Now that you understand the difference, let us analyse each UK intake in 2025 for international students in detail:
Understanding the September or Fall Intake in UK
The September intake in the UK is considered to be the main or primary intake for all the universities. During this intake, all the universities in the UK offer admissions to a broad number of courses and receive a huge number of applications.
The application process for the September intake at UK universities begins 8 to 16 months before the session.
Top Universities for September Intake UK
All top universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs during the September intake in the UK. Some of these top universities are
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- University of Warwick
- Coventry University
- University of Leeds
- University of Bristol
- Lancaster University
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Manchester
Admission Journey to September Intake in UK 2025
The admissions journey for UK universities offering September intakes has already begun. Here’s a look at the timeline for the admissions-
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Months |
Timeline |
|---|---|
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April to September 2025 |
Shortlist the universities and gather information on requirements, deadlines, etc. from university websites. |
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June to December 2025 |
Prepare for standardised tests like the GMAT, GRE, TOEFL or IELTS, etc., depending on the requirements of the program at the chosen universities. |
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August to December 2025 |
Start preparing the SOP for UK. Also, start collecting other documents like transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc. |
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December 2021 to July 2025 |
Fill out and submit the application form for the chosen universities. Send in the required documents. |
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April to July 2025 |
Wait for the universities to revert. Accept the offer from the selected universities and choose the one you wish to attend. Apply for education loans and scholarships |
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June to August 2025 |
Apply for a UK student visa with the offer letter of the selected university. |
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July to August 2025 |
Book your flight tickets and plan your Journey to UK |
Suggested: Requirements to Study in UK for International Students
Let us now move on to discuss the January Intake in UK
Understanding January or Winter Intake in UK
The January Intake in the UK is a secondary intake where students in the UK and abroad seek to apply to their chosen institutions. It is not so popular because there are a limited number of vacancies in universities and programs across the country.
Top Universities for January Intake in UK
Being a secondary intake, not all universities participate in the January intake. Some of the popular universities for the January intake include:
- Kingston University
- City University of London
- University of Brighton
- Oxford Brookes University
- Brunel University
- University of Chester
- Aston University
Suggested: January Intake Universities in UK
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Admission Journey to January Intake in UK 2025
The admission process for January 2025 intake has already been closed so let us understand the the month by month timeline for January Intake in UK 2025
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Months |
Timeline |
|---|---|
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April to June 2025 |
Shortlist the universities and gather information on requirements, deadlines, etc. from university websites. |
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June to September 2025 |
Depending upon the degree and program, the students are required to take a standardised test (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL or IELTS, etc.) |
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August to September 2025 |
Fill out the application form and send in the required documents to submit in the preferred university |
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October to November 2025 |
Revert back to the emails within the given deadline and appear for the selection process. Accept the offer from the selected universities and choose the one you wish to attend. |
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October to December 2025 |
Apply for scholarships or loans to fund your education. With the offer letter of your desired university, apply for a UK student visa. |
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December 2025 to January 2026 |
Book your flight tickets and plan your Journey to UK |
Understanding May or Summer Intake in UK
It is an additional intake provided by a few institutions in the UK, and the number of students taking admission in May intake is very small. During this intake, the competition is reasonably low, and students have more chances of getting into the university. However, the number of programs offered during the May intake is limited.
Top Universities for May Intake in UK
Only a very few universities offer May or summer intakes in the UK. Here are a few of them:
- Coventry University
- Keele University
- West of Scotland University
- Birmingham City University
- Cranfield University
- Queen’s University Belfast
- Ulster University
Suggested: May Intake Universities in UK
All About May/Summer Intake in UK 2025
If a student wishes to go for May Intake in the UK, they need to apply during the initial days of the release of the application forms. Also, there are some important things for students to keep in mind while applying for Summer Intake in the UK:
- Make a list of all the universities contributing to the April/May intake and the courses offered by them.
- Make sure you keep yourself aware of the deadline and start date of the application forms. Keep visiting the university's website for updates.
- Attempt all the essential qualifying examinations well before admission starts.
- Apply as early as possible when the applications open up.
- After completing the application process, wait for the confirmation letter and apply for a student visa right away.
Suggested: How to Finance your Studies in UK
Having understood the intakes in the UK, the next question arises - how to choose an intake? Let us find answers to this question below:
Which UK Intake to Choose as an International Student?
Most international students prefer to take the September intake in the UK, which is better in terms of courses offered. However, January and May intakes are also good for some of the courses. It depends on which course and UK universities they prefer to take admission to.
Here are a few factors you need to consider before choosing the UK intake for pursuing a degree program:
- Confirm the availability of the chosen program in a particular intake
- Factor in the time required to collect the essential documents to take admission in UK
- Find out the acceptance rates of the university during that intake
- Availability of Entrance exam scores -such as GRE/ GMAT/ IELTS/ TOEFL
- Availability of scholarships and aids during the particular intake
- Assess your readiness to join the university during the chosen intake.
Suggested: UK Scholarships for Indian Students
From the Desk of Yocket
Intakes and deadlines for UK universities are crucial aspects to consider when planning your academic journey. In the UK, most universities offer two main intakes: the primary intake in September and a secondary intake in January. While the September intake is more common, the January intake provides flexibility for students. Deadlines for application submissions typically fall several months before the intended intake, so it's essential to plan ahead and adhere to these dates.
Yocket Premium is your ideal companion for a seamless admission journey to the UK in the fall of 2025. With our premium service, you gain exclusive access to expert guidance, personalised support, and a wealth of resources designed to make your application process a breeze. Trust Yocket Premium to be your partner in realising your academic aspirations and making your transition to the UK this fall a resounding success.
