The UK is one of the best study destinations and home to various universities and colleges that have a historical reputation in the courses they provide and the accreditation they own. Unlike in the US, where there are three significant intakes, UK universities offer only two major intakes per year.
So if you are looking to apply to top universities or your dream university in the United Kingdom, don’t worry because we are here to guide you!
Let us look at the intakes in UK in detail in this comprehensive guide:
In this article
- How many intakes are there in UK?
- Winter intake in UK 2025 (January/ February)
- Summer intake in UK 2025 (May)
- Fall intake in UK 2025 (September/October)
- MBA intakes in UK
- Documents required for applying to universities in UK
- FAQs
How many intakes are there in UK?
Universities and colleges in UK commonly have three intakes: Fall, Winter, and Summer. However, the universities and programs may have different numbers of intakes and start dates.
The universities and the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) in UK focus primarily on two popular intake sessions;
- The September/October intake (Fall intake)
- The January/February intake (Winter intake)
Sometimes, the universities also offer a May intake on a selective number of courses, subject areas, and class sizes as the other two intakes in UK grab the attention of a significant student population planning to study abroad!
UK intakes and admission deadlines
| Intake | Tentative admission deadlines |
|---|---|
| September/October - Fall | February to May |
| January/February - Winter | June to September |
| May - Summer | January or February |
Grab your spot now! limited seats available for upcoming intakes in UK
Winter intake in UK 2025 (January/February)
The January intake in UK is the winter intake. It is the second type of intake. Universities open applications for a brief number of courses, including postgraduate programs. Although the intake options may not be much compared to the September intake, some students and applicants prefer this session.
The application for this intake generally opens in June of the previous year and mostly ends in September.
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Now, let us look at the top UK universities that will open applications for the winter intake of this academic year
Also read: Countries offering January intake
UK universities January/February intake 2025 with initial tuition fee deposit
| Name of the University | Initial tuition fee deposit |
|---|---|
| University of Brighton | £5,000 |
| University of Lincoln | £5,000 |
| University of South Wales | 50% of first year's fees |
| Oxford Brookes University | £3,000 to £8,000 |
| Keele University | £4,000 |
| Birmingham City University | £4,000 |
| City University of London | £2,000 |
| University of Greenwich | £3,000 |
| University of the Sunderland | £3,500 |
| Birkbeck University of London | £5,000 |
Benefits of winter intakes in the UK
- This intake offers another chance for students who missed the application deadline in the primary fall intake.
- It is less competitive and more convenient for students to plan well and apply.
- Students have the space to catch up with the lessons without taking a gap year.
The average tuition fees at the universities discussed in this article range between £27,500 and £64,000.
Apply now for our upcoming intakes in UK!
How to apply for January/February intakes in UK?
- Be an early bird: If you plan to pursue the January intake 2025 in UK, start your exploration and research on various universities by August of the previous year. Use this time to learn more about each university and its eligibility requirements. Draft your plans accordingly and start with the application process for the degree courses.
- Take the exams: Start your preparations to crack English language assessment tests like IELTS/TOEFL and take them by April or May. You will get the results within a week, which will pave the way for you to apply without any pressure.
- Start shortlisting your applications to universities: Contact your professors and get your letter of recommendation. Finally, start drafting 2-3 SOPs that have strong content. You can do these between June to September, during which the application window for the winter intake opens and ends.
- The final steps: Do not leave out the emails and messages that you may get from the universities you applied to. Sit for personal interviews if they conduct one. Finally, notify your decision to the universities that are ready to take you on board!
- Get set to fly! Prepare your paperwork and visa to pass to UK: Before departing to the university, organise your international credit/debit cards, gather all the documents and depart relaxingly!
Don't miss out on the upcoming intakes in UK - Apply today
Summer intake in UK 2025 (May)
The April/May intake is the least preferred session offered by UK universities. This is because students generally take their spring break at this time. So, this leads to a significantly less competitive environment to study in UK, especially for undergraduate courses and postgraduate courses. So, if you are starting your higher education in the May intake, then apply to the universities by January or February.
Universities with initial tuition fee deposit may intake 2025 in UK
| Name of the University | Initial tuition fee deposit |
|---|---|
| University of Bedfordshire | £10,075 |
| Coventry University | £8,000 |
| Northumbria University | £5,500 |
| Salford University | £5,500 |
| Ulster University | £4,000 |
Take the next step towards your dream education! - Apply now
Fall intake in UK 2025 (September/October)
The September or October intake is generally called the fall intake in UK. This is the largest drive conducted by the universities to take in a major number of applications from international students.
Scholars overseas too 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 this intake generally opens in February and goes on until May.
Benefits of the fall intake in UK
- It is the primary and the most popular intake in UK.
- Most universities open applications for a significant number of courses in this intake.
- The intake window is an attractive option and perfect in such a way that after you complete the course, you will be exposed to a large number of internship and career opportunities and can contend in an intensely competitive environment in your academic journey.
Secure your spot today! explore universities and apply now!
September/October intake universities in UK with initial tuition fee deposit
| Name of the University | Initial tuition fee deposit |
|---|---|
| University of Bradford | 50% of the fee charge |
| Swansea University | £4,000 |
| University of Surrey | £3,000 |
| University of Derby | £8,000 |
| University of Westminster | £4,000 |
| University of Wolverhampton | £5,000 |
| Keele University | £4,000 |
| University of Leeds | £3,000 |
| Kingston University | £8,000 |
| London Metropolitan University | 50% of the first year's tuition fees |
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How to apply for September/October intakes in UK?
- Start early: If you intend to follow the September intake for 2025 in the UK, it is significant to begin your investigation and analysis of various universities by August of the previous year. This early start allows you to understand more about the university and its requirements and ensures a smooth application process.
- Ace your exams: Start preparing to get a good score on competitive English language tests like the TOEFL/IELTS and take them by January or February. And its results will help you work on the application process without any pressure.
- Start shortlisting your applications to universities: You can get your letter of recommendation from your professors who taught you before. You can create 2-3 SOPs that have strong content about your potential skills and abilities. You can complete these steps between February and May, during which the application window for the fall intake opens and ends.
- The final steps: Once you make a decision, quickly inform the universities eager to take you on board. Don't miss out on any emails, interviews and messages from your chosen universities.
- Get set to fly! Finally, prepare your paperwork and visa to fly to UK: Before going to the university, gather your debit/credit cards and essential documents.
Related intakes: Intakes in USA | Intakes in Canada | Intakes in Ireland | Intakes in Australia
Related articles
MBA intakes in UK
The MBA intakes in UK usually happen around April or May month of each year. Some universities welcome applications during the fall or September intake of UK universities, and the intake process takes up to 4 or 5 rounds. On the whole, these rounds take place for 6 to 7 months (April or May).
UK universities that have opened applications for MBA intake 2025 - 2026
| Name of the University | Initial tuition fee deposit |
|---|---|
| London Business School | £6,500 |
| Imperial College Business School | 10% of first-year fee |
| Judge Business School, University of Cambridge | £7,950 |
| Warwick Business School | £2,500 |
| University of Edinburgh Business School | £1,500 |
| Lancaster University Management School | £6,000 |
| Cardiff Business School | £1,000 |
| Leeds Business School | £3,000 |
Apply now for our upcoming intakes in UK!
Keep these documents ready for applying!
- Your completed application form
- Application fee
- 2-3 Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- At least 3 Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Standardised test scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS)
- CV/resume
- High school or degree certificates from undergraduate programs
- Academic transcripts
Pack these during your departure
- Immigration documents
- UK student visa
- Passport
- National identity proof
Apply now and secure your place for the upcoming intakes in UK!
FAQs
1. When can I apply for fall 2025 in UK?
2025 entry applications can be started from 14 May 2024 and submitted to UCAS from 3 September 2024.
2. Is IELTS required for UK intakes?
Most colleges and universities have IELTS scores as eligibility criteria to apply. Yet, there are certain universities where you can apply without these scores. Some of the universities are Swansea University and the University of Birmingham.
3. Why is September intake better than other intakes?
The fall intake or the September intake is the primary one in UK. So, many universities open a vast number of applications for various courses. Moreover, there will be intense competition with increased internship and job offers when you complete your course.
4. Which intake in UK is best?
The primary intake witnesses the highest number of students and is held in September. The second most preferred option is the January Intake in UK, which offers limited courses. May (last) intake has a few university and course options and is the least popular among all UK intakes.
5. Is the May 2025 intake available in UK?
Yes, you can apply for the May intake in the UK between October and February. Since many students prefer to study in Winter or Fall intakes, the competition is low so you can easily join in May intake.
6. What universities are available for September intakes in UK?
All programs are available for UK September intake deadline. Since all top UK universities accept applications for September intake, you will not face a problem of choice while applying.
7. What does fall intake mean?
Fall intake is the academic semester that begins in September and ends in December. It is the primary intake for most universities in the United States and other countries around the world.
8. Are there any October intake universities in UK?
UK universities offered two major intakes: The Winter intake (January/February) and the Fall intake (September/October). During the Fall intake, many universities see a huge increase in admissions from international students.
9. Which intake is best for UK?
UK universities offer the Winter (January/February) and Fall (September/October) intake options for international students. Both are best for students. If you miss the January intake in UK, you should choose the more popular September intake.
