A Comprehensive Guide to UK Intakes: Spring, Winter, and Fall

Every year, the United Kingdom welcomes around 700,000 international students to this amazing country with its top-notch education and exciting student life. So, if you’re planning to study in the UK, the first step is figuring out the best time for you to enrol in your desired course. This blog will guide your every decision when planning your move to this country. What are the different types of intakes? When should I start applying for UK intakes 2025? How do I even pick the right intake for me? You might find these questions pop up in your head. Well, we have covered each step of the intake process. So let’s get started!

Types of UK intakes

Fall, winter, spring - these aren’t just seasons of nature, but also the different seasons you can apply to the best UK universities for international students. That’s right! There are three different types of UK intakes that you need to be aware of: 

1. January (Winter) 
2. September (Fall) 
3. May (Spring)

UK Intakes - Fall/September 

The main course of all the intakes is the UK fall intake. Since the academic year typically begins in September, most UK applicants prefer this intake as its application process lasts from December to July, while admission happens during the period of February to May. The number of courses for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs is generally higher for the UK fall intake. The main advantages of applying for the fall intake in UK are that you get a wide range of courses to pick from, and there are several fully funded scholarships in UK for this intake. However, you might notice that there is higher competition as a majority of students opt to apply for the UK September intake.

September Intake Universities in UK

If you're considering applying for September intake in UK then, here's a list of top universities that offer a wide range of programs:

1. University of Bradford
2. University of Surrey
3. Swansea University
4. University of Westminster
5. University of Derby
6. University of Wolverhampton
7. University of Leeds
8. Keele University
9. London Metropolitan University
10. Kingston University
11. Birmingham City University
12. University of Central Lancashire
13. Bucks New University
14. University of Reading
15. University of Hertfordshire

Top Courses for Fall Intake in UK

Here are some of the top courses that are in high demand and offer excellent career prospects:

1. Business Management
2. Data Sciences
3. Finance Management

When to Apply for UK Fall Intake 2025?

The fall intake in UK, also known as the September intake, is super popular among international students. To stay ahead, it’s best to start planning early. Most universities open their applications a year in advance, so you should begin around September 2025. Ideally, submit your application by January 2025 to have the best chance at getting your dream offer. But don’t panic if you miss that window! Many universities have deadlines that stretch into the spring and summer (around March to June), but the earlier, the better.

UK Intakes - Winter/January

Winter intake typically starts applications from September to November and has admissions from June to September. Although it doesn’t see as many applicants as the UK September intake, the winter intake in UK also has a few benefits for applicants. Since you start studying much later in the year, it gives you quite some time to prepare your application. It’s relatively easier to get during the UK winter intake than during the fall intake in UK. The applications do start a lot sooner than other UK intakes, so you need to keep an eye on the deadlines. And since not all courses are available for the UK Winter intake, we recommend planning only once you’ve confirmed your desired course will be available.

January Intake Universities in UK

If you're exploring options for the January intake in the UK, here are some excellent universities in UK that provide a range of programs:

1. University of Brighton
2. University of Lincoln
3. University of South Wales
4. Oxford Brookes University
5. Keele University
6. Birmingham City University
7. City University of London
8. University of Greenwich
9. University of the Sunderland
10. Birkbeck University of London
11. Queen Mary University of London
12. Coventry University
13. University of Liverpool
14. University of Exeter
15. Aston University
16. Brunel University
17. Bangor University
18. Edge Hill University
19. Kingston University
20. Northumbria University
21. University of Chester
22. Anglia Ruskin University
23. De Montfort University
24. University of Essex
25. The University of Bath
26. The University of Bedfordshire
27. The University of Birmingham
28. The University of Buckingham
29. Edinburgh Napier University
30. London Metropolitan University
31. London South Bank University
32. Manchester Metropolitan University
33. Newcastle University
34. Sheffield Hallam University
35. Middlesex University
36. The University of Derby
37. The University of Northampton

Top Courses for Winter Intake in the UK

If you're exploring options for the January intake in the UK, here are some popular courses to begin your academic journey:

1. Business
2. Engineering and Technology
3. Law
4. Medicine

When to Apply for UK Winter Intake 2025?

The winter intake, usually in January or February, is a great option if you missed the fall application deadlines. Most UK universities start accepting applications for winter around April to June 2025. To stay on top of things, aim to submit your application by September 2025. Some universities may accept applications as late as October or November 2025, but it's better to apply early to avoid last-minute stress. This gives you time to handle your student visa, sort out your accommodation, and be fully prepared!

UK Intake - Spring/May 

Also known as the UK’s summer intake, the spring intake in UK is the least popular among the three intakes since most students prefer taking a spring break instead. This is why only a few universities offer courses for UK spring intake, which are typically quite limited in number. However, due to fewer courses and fewer applicants, you have a higher chance of getting in during the Spring intake. Applications for spring intake usually start around January or February for courses that start in May.

May Intake Universities in UK

If you're looking to start your studies in the UK during the May intake, here are some top UK May intake universities: 

1. University of Kent
2. Brunel University
3. University of Bedfordshire
4. Coventry University
5. Northumbria University
6. Salford University
7. Ulster University
8. Queen Mary University of London
9. Keele University
10. University of Chester
11. Sheffield Hallam University
12. West of Scotland University
13. Richmond University of London
14. BPP University

Top Courses for Spring Intake in the UK

Some of the most sought-after spring intake courses known for their robust career opportunities: 

1. Business
2. Marketing
3. Data Science & Cyber Security
4. Project Management & Construction Management

When to Apply for UK Spring Intake 2025?

If you're aiming for the UK Spring Intake 2025, it's important to apply early. Most universities start accepting applications in June 2025, with deadlines typically falling between September and November 2025. To increase your chances, it's best to apply by September. Ensure your documents are ready by May 2025. Also, remember to plan for any required English language tests like IELTS. Once you receive an offer, apply for your visa by October or November 2025 for this UK intake 2025. 

Documents Required for Application in UK

Applying to UK intakes for international students can be overwhelming sometimes since there is a lot you cannot afford to miss out on! For instance, DOCUMENTS! Don't worry, we’ve got you covered! Here's a quick list of the essentials you’ll want to have ready:

1. Completed Application Form
2. Proof of Academic Qualifications
3. Personal Statement (SOP)
4. Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
5. English Language Test Scores
6. CV/Resume
7. Passport Copy

Learn About the Application Process for UK intakes

The application process for each intake is mostly the same, apart from the change in deadlines. Let’s take a look at how you can apply for your desired UK intake.

Step 1: Pick your desired course and colleges

The first step of applying for UK intake is to shortlist the courses and universities that you’re interested in applying to. When choosing a course, you should consider the curriculum, how it aligns with your career goals, tuition fees, and entry requirements, and check which intake it is available for. 

Step 2: Track the deadlines

Once you’ve put together a list of your chosen universities and courses, you need to keep track of the deadlines for each intake. Checking which intake your desired programs and colleges are available in, you can map out a timeline for how to apply to UK universities and which intake to apply for. 

Step 3: Match the eligibility criteria

Make sure you check the eligibility criteria and prepare accordingly. Most universities in the UK ask students to pass an English language proficiency test or a standardised test. You’ll need to prepare, take the tests, and get a high score to increase your chances of securing admission during your chosen UK intake.

Step 4: Ready your documents

Another important step is making sure you have all the necessary documents for applying. Please make sure you familiarise yourself with the requirements for each course and university and prepare the documents well in advance.

Step 5: It’s time to apply!‍

Now all you need to do is keep track of your chosen UK intake’s deadlines. Some universities do require applicants to fill UCAS applications, while others accept direct applications. Make sure you follow the instructions for the application process carefully and submit the required documents and application before the deadline.

Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing an Intake

So, how do you pick which UK intake to apply for? There are plenty of factors to consider when picking your intake. Let’s take a look at some of them:

1. First off, decide on which course and university you want to enrol in. When picking the best UK intake for you, you need to make sure that your chosen course is offered in your dream university during that intake.

2. Understand the merits and demerits of each intake and plan accordingly. If you are looking for a UK intake that’s easier to get into, you might want to apply during the May intake. However, if you would prefer to take a spring break instead, this might not be the best option for you.

3. Applying for different intakes could also change your academic expenses, considering the tuition fees, private education loans and financial aid opportunities might be different for all three.

4. Another important aspect is things to look for when choosing student accommodation during your course. Luckily, amber offers a wide range of student accommodations close to the UK’s top-rated universities. We do recommend booking early to secure your new home away from home!

As you can see, the UK intakes aren’t all that confusing after all! We hope we helped you get a better understanding of the different types of intakes, their application processes, and deadlines. Be it fall, spring, or winter, the first step in preparing for your UK intake should always be securing student accommodation near your university. The early bird gets the worm! So why not check out amber’s student accommodation and get started on your plan to move to the UK?