Every year, the United Kingdom welcomes thousands of 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. Say hello to UK intakes - three important deadlines that you need to be aware of when moving to the UK for higher education. These 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 2024? How do I even pick the right intake for me? You might find these questions pop up in your head. Well, we’re here to guide you through 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 UK universities. That’s right! There are three different types of UK intakes that you need to be aware of when applying for a course at a UK university. Out of these three, the two bosses of the intakes, the January and September intake in UK are the major ones, while the third, less popular intake type, the May intake, is only offered for some courses.
Fall Intake
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 scholarships available for this type of UK intake. However, you might notice that there is higher competition as a majority of students opt to apply for the UK September intake.
Top courses for Fall Intake in the UK: Business Management, Data Sciences, Finance Management
September Intake Universities in UK
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
Winter Intake
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.
Top courses for Winter Intake in the UK: Business, Engineering and Technology, Law, and Medicine
January Intake Universities in UK
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
Spring Intake
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.
Top courses for Spring Intake in the UK: Business, Marketing, Data Science & Cyber Security, Project Management & Construction Project Management
May Intake Universities in UK
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
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 you want to enrol in. When picking the best UK intake for you, you need to make sure that your chosen course is offered during that intake.
2. The same goes for the universities you desire to study at. Not all universities offer courses for all three UK intakes, which is why you need to check before picking an intake.
3. 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.
4. Applying for different intakes could also change your academic expenses, considering the tuition fees and financial aid opportunities might be different for all three.
5. Another important thing to look out for is where you’ll be staying for the duration of 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!
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. When it comes to universities, you should always make sure to research the ranking, fees, financial aid, location, and accommodation options for each university.
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. Using these and checking which intake your desired programs and colleges are available in, you can map out a timeline for how you want to apply and which intake to apply for. Always aim to apply early so you get enough time to prepare for moving abroad, such as booking accommodation and filling out applications. Also, keep in mind the entry requirements for your chosen course and universities when doing so, as you might need to take additional tests such as IELTS or GMAT to be eligible.
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 for these tests, 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. These could include academic transcripts, statement of purpose, recommendation letters, financial documents, and proof of language proficiency. 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 that you’ve got your documents, tests, and plans sorted, all you need to do is keep track of your chosen UK intake’s deadlines. Some universities do require applicants to apply using the UCAS system, 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.
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?