Decoding UK Intakes 2024 : January, May and September Intakes

Everything International Students Need to Know About UK Intakes 2024

For anyone seeking global education, the United Kingdom often takes the top spot. It is the home to various universities and colleges that have a historical reputation and the best education therefore, most of the students choose to study in UK. The UK universities only provide two significant intakes each year, in contrast to the United States of America, which offers three. 

There are 2 main intakes to study in the UK for international students, one in January and one in September. However, some UK universities also offer May intake for some of the courses. 

How To Decide The Right UK Intake For You?

For a student studying abroad, deciding which intake to choose is the toughest thing. The truth is UK intake for bachelor’s and UK intake for master’s depends on factors such as course availability and scholarships. The primary intake in September is the most popular option as it offers a wide range of courses and opportunities for scholarships. Additionally, universities tend to have more resources and support systems in place for students entering via the primary intake. 

The secondary intake in January also provides a decent number of course options for students. The tertiary intake that is in May has the fewest options available, both in terms of universities and courses. Scroll down to find out about about the duration of each UK intake in 2024:

January/February/Winter intake in the UK

The winter intake, also known as the January intake, is the second type of intake in the UK. During this session, universities accept applications for a limited number of courses. While there may not be as many options available compared to the September intake, some students and applicants have a preference for this session.

Applications for the upcoming intake typically begin in June of the preceding year and generally conclude by September. Let’s now examine which universities in the UK will be accepting applications for the winter intake of this academic year:

• University of Bradford
• Swansea University
• University of Surrey
• University of Westminster
• University of Wolverhampton
• Keele University
• University of Leeds
• Kingston University
• London Metropolitan University
• Queen Mary University of London

Let’s talk about the timeline and tasks for winter intake in the UK. 

September/October/Fall Intake in the UK

In the UK, the fall intake is known as either September or October intake. It is a popular choice among international students, as it offers a wide range of courses and has the highest number of admissions due to its alignment with the academic year in September. The application timeline for this intake typically opens in February and closes in May, although it may vary depending on the university and course. Often referred to also as autumn intake, over 80% of UK aspirants prefer this option since it provides ample opportunities for both undergraduate and post-graduate studies while aligning with global academic schedules. All top universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs during fall intake in the UK. Some of these top universities are:

1. Queen Mary University of London
2. Coventry University
3. University of Liverpool
4. University of Exeter
5. Aston University
6. Brunel University
7. University of Oxford
8. University of Cambridge
9. Kings College London
10. Birmingham City University

While you figure out your preferred university or college for UK intakes 2024, here’s how the process will unfold:

May/Spring Intake in the UK

Certain institutions in the UK offer an alternative admission intake known as May Intake. This particular intake attracts a smaller number of students, resulting in less competition and increased chances of acceptance into universities. However, it’s important to note that the range of programs available during this period is somewhat limited.

Just a very few universities offer May or Summer intake in UK, check them out:

• Coventry University
• Keele University
• West of Scotland University
• Birmingham City University
• Cranfield University
• Queen’s University Belfast
• Ulster University

The decision to pick the right UK intakes for international students depends on the individual. MSM Unify treats every application case with equal consideration and gravitas, which makes the process easier for everyone. Register yourself today at www.msmunify.com to make the most of UK intake 2024.