Intakes in UK: September (Autumn), January & May Intakes and When to Apply

UK universities have courses available across September, January and May intakes, but the options are not the same throughout the year. The intake you choose can affect which courses are available, which universities you can apply to and how long you have to prepare your application.

September intake in UK is the largest, with the widest choice of courses and universities. The January intake in UK has fewer options and is usually chosen by those who miss the Sept intake, while the May intake is smaller, with selected courses available at some universities.

In the sections below, you’ll find information about each intake, including courses and universities on offer, application timelines, deadlines and things to check before applying.

September Intake in UK

If you want to start your studies in the September intake, you will have more courses and universities to choose from. Most students begin their academic year around this time, so you will also find more options across different study areas.

Here’s what you can expect from the September intake in UK:

What to check	September intake
Course availability	Usually the widest choice of undergraduate and postgraduate courses
University options	Most UK universities offer courses starting in September
Popular study options	Business, engineering, computing, finance, law, healthcare and many more
Suitable for	Students who want more choices when selecting a course or university

Universities Offering September Intake in UK

Most universities in UK run a September intake for their undergraduate and postgraduate courses. But, application deadlines may vary depending on the university, course and level of study.

Here are some universities in UK with September intake courses and their application deadlines:

University Name	September 2027 Application Deadline
Manchester University	13 January 2027 for most undergraduate courses via UCAS
University of Birmingham	13 January 2027 for most undergraduate courses via UCAS
University of Leeds	30 April 2027 for international postgraduate research applicants for a 20 September 2027 start
Westminster University	21 July 2027 for international postgraduates
University of Creative Arts	For overseas applicants: 20 August 2027
John Moores University, Liverpool	30 June 2027 for standard international applications; 31 March 2027 for postgraduate courses in Nursing and Social Work

These are published deadline examples and can vary by course and level of study. Always check the official university or UCAS website before applying.

January Intake in UK

The January intake in UK gives students another chance to start their studies without waiting until September. However, fewer courses are available compared to the main September intake, so it is important to check your preferred course and university before applying.

Here are the key highlights of the January intake in UK:

What to check	January intake
Course availability	Fewer undergraduate and postgraduate courses compared to September
University options	Available at selected UK universities
Popular study options	Business, management, computing, finance, data-related courses and other selected subjects
Suitable for	Students who want to start earlier or do not want to wait until September

Universities Offering January Intake in UK

Several UK universities offer selected undergraduate and postgraduate courses with a January start. The courses available and application deadlines can differ by university and course.

Here are some universities offering January 2027 courses and their application deadlines:

University	January 2027 Application Deadline
University of Kent	27 November 2026
Keele University	16 November 2026 for applicants from India and Kenya
Cardiff Metropolitan University	20 November 2026 for international applicants
University of Suffolk	2 November 2026 for selected January 2027 courses
University of Buckingham	7 December 2026 for international students

These are examples of published deadlines for January 2027. Deadlines can vary by course, country and study level, so always check the official university website before applying.

Postgraduate applicants can check deadlines and course options in our guide to masters intakes in UK.

May Intake in UK

The May intake in UK is a smaller intake. Some selected universities offer courses which begin around this time. It may be helpful if you miss the January intake or need more time to prepare your application. There are fewer courses available so check the start date of the course before you apply.

Here are the major highlights of the May intake in UK:

What to check	May intake
Availability of courses	Fewer courses than in September and January
University choices	Available at selected universities in UK
Popular areas of study	Postgraduate courses in business, management, computing and other selected courses
Well-suited for	Students who need a later start or who miss the January intake

Universities Offering May Intake in UK

Some UK universities have specific courses with a May start mostly in postgraduate study. Deadlines for applying can be different, so you need to check the deadline for the course you are interested in before you apply.

Here are some universities that offer May 2027 intake courses and their application deadlines:

University	May 2027 Application Deadline
Coventry University	31 March 2027 (for some postgraduate courses)
University of Greenwich	28 February 2027 (some postgraduate courses)
University of East London	28 March 2027 (for certain courses)
University of Chester	1 March 2027 (for selected courses in May/June)

These are examples of May 2027 application deadlines. Deadlines may vary depending on the course and the type of applicant, so always check the official university website before applying.

When to Apply for UK Intakes?

How long you will need to apply will depend on your chosen intake, course and university. As a rule of thumb, starting your preparation 6-9 months before your intake date gives you ample time to shortlist courses, prepare your documents, get an English test done (if required) and submit your application.

When you are offered a place you will also need time to arrange your finances, accommodation, and Student visa for UK.

Here’s a timeline you can use for each intake:

Intake	Start making arrangements	Application period
September Intake	September-December	Oct - June
January Intake	May-June	July-November
May Intake	December–January	January–March

After you apply, track your application and respond to any requests from the university. Once you have your offer, begin preparing your fees, finances, accommodation and Student visa.

These are general timelines for preparation. The exact application deadline varies by university, course and study level. Please check the official university or UCAS website.

How to Choose the Right Intake in UK?

Your intake will depend on your course, university, when you are ready to apply and when begin to study in UK. 

September is the most popular month, but January and May are also great if you want a different starting point or have missed the September intake. 

Here are a few things you should be sure of before you pick an intake:

• Course availability – Find out if the course you want to study is available in the intake you are looking for. Not all classes start in January or May.
• University options – September usually has more university and course options. For smaller intakes, check the available universities before making your decision.
• Application period – Select an intake that gives you enough time to prepare your documents, satisfy entry requirements and submit your application.
• Money and Budget – Allow yourself time to budget for tuition fees, accommodation costs and other money you will need for your studies.
• Visa preparation – If you’re applying for a student visa, leave yourself time after your offer to complete the visa process.
• Personal plans – Think about when you want to move to the UK and if the intake fits with your academic, work or personal plans.

Before you apply, check the start date, deadline, fees and entry requirements of the universities on your short list. This means you should choose an intake depending on the course you want to study, not just the month you’d like to start.

5 Things to Know Before Applying to UK Universities

Applying to a UK university is not simply a case of choosing a course and sending off your application. You will also need to check the intake, the availability of courses, the deadline, the fees and the documents needed for your application.

The details of this vary from university to university so it’s worth checking them out early so you don’t end up applying for a course that doesn’t fit in with your plans.

Here are a few things to consider before you apply:

1. Is the course available in the intake you have chosen?

Before you apply, check whether your preferred course actually starts in the intake you want. A course available in September may not be offered in January or May. Always check the official course page for the start date.

2. Do You Have Time to Apply?

Please check the deadline before you begin your application. Give yourself enough time to get your documents ready, sit an English test if you need to and send your application in before the deadline.

3. Are you eligible to enter?

Check Course Academic Qualifications, Marks, English Language score and other requirements. Some courses might also require relevant subjects, work experience, an interview or a portfolio.

4. Did you plan your budget?

Before you apply for your chosen course, do check the tuition fees and the other living costs that will be contributing to your total amount. Also, consider looking for scholarships available for your intake and course.

5. Are you Ready for the Visa Process?

For the Student Visa, make sure that you have enough time for the process to be completed. Check the latest visa requirements and have your financial and other supporting documents in place.

Conclusion

Choosing the right intake in UK starts with knowing what is available for your course and university. September usually has more choice, but January and May can be useful if your favorite course is running then.

Before you make your choice check the course start date, application deadline, entry requirements and fees. When you do your research early, you have time to prepare your documents and go through the application process.

Need help in choosing the right intake or university? Book a free 1:1 counseling session with upGrad’s study abroad experts and get guidance based on your study abroad plans today!