Intakes in UK 2024: Top Universities, Courses & Application Process

If you are a study abroad aspirant, you must have thought about how many intakes does the UK have. Well, you are not the only one. Understanding intakes in UK is essential in order to plan ahead, prepare documents, ensure eligibility, and prepare the rest in advance to increase your chances of admission. In other words, UK intakes can help you figure out the best time to apply to the best universities in UK. So, if you are planning to study in UK and are looking for everything about intakes in UK, this blog is for you. In this blog, you will read about the intakes in UK 2024 and more useful information to secure a spot. If you are ready to achieve your study abroad dreams, let’s get started.

How Many Intakes are there in the UK?

It’s critical to learn more about the UK academic calendar before giving right into the particulars of the Fall and Spring intakes. There are two main semesters in the UK academic year: the Fall Semester and the Spring Semester. Apart from these two major intakes, some universities in the UK also offer April/May (summer) intake. Here are the admission months for UK universities:

Intake	Duration	Application Timeline
September Intake	September to December	December to July
January Intake	January to April	September to November
May Intake	May to August	October to November

Intakes in the UK for Indian Students

Three types of intakes are commonly followed by UK Universities:

☑️The first intake in January to February.

☑️ Second intake in September to October.

☑️ Lastly, additional Intake in April/May for select courses

Students who skip the September admissions can qualify for the January Intakes in the UK. Some might say that perhaps the September admissions in the UK are higher than January in terms of the total quantity of programs available. However, there isn’t much comparison between the two as they start off January is an equal number of successful courses that provide an opportunity for students to choose from. There is also another intake called the May admissions in the UK which you can take upon. 

If you skipped the September intake, you can look forward to another January intake as the January Intakes in the UK requirements grant you more time to focus on your applications so that you can fill in the gaps, if there are any.

Also Read: Spring vs Winter vs Fall vs Summer Intakes!

January/February Intake in the UK 2024

The intake from January to February is a supplementary one in terms of admission cycles in the UK. Not as many classes are offered at the beginning of January Intake relative to the September admission cycle, but this admission period provides an incentive for candidates who have skipped entry in the main admission cycles in the UK. It allows students extra time to focus on their submissions. The deadline for submissions will be between June and September and will vary from course to course and from institution to institution. 

Here are the January/February Intake Universities in the UK 2024:

1. Queen Mary University of London
2. Coventry University
3. University of Liverpool
4. University of Exeter
5. Aston University
6. Brunel University
7. Bangor University
8. Birmingham City University
9. Brunel University
10. Edge Hill University
11. Kingston University
12. Northumbria University
13. University of Chester
14. University of Greenwich
15. University of Sunderland
16. Anglia Ruskin University
17. Birkbeck University of London
18. City University of London
19. De Montfort University
20. Keele University
21. Oxford Brookes University
22. University of Brighton
23. University of Lincoln
24. University of South Wales
25. University of Essex

Also Read: January Intake Universities in UK!

September/Fall Intake in the UK 2024

The largest intake in the UK is in September and October. It is sometimes considered the Fall intake of fall in the United Kingdom. Many colleges in the UK offer all classes at the beginning of September. The deadline for applications to be submitted in September would be between February and May of the academic year. However, this will always vary based on courses and shifts from institution to institution concerning admissions in the UK. Students should review the specifics of the respective institution.

Here are the top universities for UK September Intake:

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
11. Bucks New University
12. University of Central Lancashire
13. University of Reading
14. University of Hertfordshire
15. University of Surrey
16. University of Derby
17. University of Westminster
18. University of Wolverhampton
19. Keele University
20. University of Leeds
21. Kingston University
22. London Metropolitan University
23. University of Bradford
24. University of Sussex 
25. University of York
26. Bournemouth University
27. Kingston University 
28. Cranfield University 
29. Goldsmiths University of London 
30. City, University of London
31. University of Essex
32. Hartpury University
33. Durham University

Also Read: Difference Between September and January Intake in the UK

May Intake Universities in the UK 2024

April/May intake in UK is the least preferred admission session. It is offered by a few universities/colleges with the least options of courses. The students prefer to take a spring break, so a lot of universities do not offer this intake. The pool of applicants is very small during the May admissions which is also called the Spring Intake. But the competition for this admission cycle is the least intense as there is an enhanced chance of getting an offer. Here are April/May Intake Universities in UK 2024:

1. Coventry University
2. Northumbria University
3. Queen Mary University of London
4. Keele University
5. Ulster University
6. University of Chester
7. Sheffield Hallam University
8. West of Scotland University
9. Salford University

Important UCAS Deadlines

All applications for undergraduate programs are overseen by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service in the United Kingdom (UCAS). The UCAS deadlines for the UK intakes of 2024 are shown below, however, these are the essential dates to remember when contacting your preferred university.

Date	Note
31 January 2024	For the majority of courses.

Note: After specific deadlines, several UK universities will accept overseas applications. If you are late, check with your university.

MBA Intakes in the UK

If you are applying for an MBA in the UK, then you need to apply during April/May admissions in the UK. The MBA admissions are open from April and May to around September. Here are the top business schools for MBA or top MBA colleges in UK admissions in the UK in April/May:

1. London Business School
2. Booth School of Business, The University of Chicago
3. Said School of Business, University of Oxford
4. Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London
5. University of Cambridge, Judge Business School
6. Warwick Business School, University of Warwick
7. Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester
8. University of Edinburgh Business School, The University of Edinburgh
9. The Business School (formerly Cass), CITY, University of London
10. Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield University
11. School of Business and Management– Queen Mary University of London
12. School of Management – Anglia Ruskin University
13. Lancaster University Management School
14. Business School – Coventry University
15. Cardiff Business School – Cardiff University
16. University of Strathclyde Business School
17. Leeds University Business School – University of Leeds
18. Durham University Business School, Durham University
19. Aston Business School, Aston University
20. Nottingham University Business School, Nottingham Trent University
21. Bath School of Management, University of Bath
22. Brunel Business School, Brunel University London
23. Exeter Business School, University of Exeter
24. Adam Smith School of Economics and Finance, University of Glasgow

Note: Apart from April and May, these business schools for MBA in UK are also open till June as well as for January and September intakes in the UK.

PhD Intakes in the UK

When it comes to PhD in the UK, there are no such fixed intakes as all universities have rolling admissions and stay open for applications from PhD scholars throughout the year. So, you can apply for PhD throughout any of the three intakes or as per the specific admission dates for your chosen university.

Intakes for Masters in the UK

Out of the three major intakes in the UK, the January and September admissions in UK are mainly for Masters while there are a few May intakes from universities in the UK that also take masters applications. The best intake in the UK for masters is in either January or September since most of the popular universities are open for admissions and you can apply to more than 5 universities, thus keeping your options open.

Which UK Intake to Choose?

Students who are unable to attend the September admissions may apply for the January intake. Some may claim that the September intake is superior and preferable to the January intake in terms of course volume. Of course, it is most desired among all the intakes in the UK, however, certain universities offer excellent courses for the January intake as well. You can choose which intake to take based on the following criteria:

• Your desired course’s availability
• The amount of time required to prepare your documents
• As per your convenience 
• Your academic records
• Your Entrance exam scores
• Acceptance rates of the university
• Job opportunities available
• Your readiness to join the university

The Fall Intake in the UK

In the United Kingdom, the September or October intake is referred to as the Fall intake. This is the most significant drive by universities to attract a large number of applications from international students.

Scholars from other countries prefer this intake to pursue a course at the university of their choice because there will be more options. The application period for this intake typically begins in February and lasts until May.

Merits of the Fall Intake in the UK

• It is the primary intake
• Most universities accept applications for a significant number of courses
• The intake window is ideal in that after completing the course, you will be exposed to a wide range of internship and career opportunities and will be able to compete in a highly competitive environment

UK Universities for Fall Intake 2024

Here is a list of universities offering fall intakes in the UK:

• University of Bradford
• University of Surrey
• University of Derby
• University of Westminster
• University of Wolverhampton
• Keele University
• University of Leeds
• Kingston University
• London Metropolitan University
• Birmingham City University
• Bucks New University
• University of Central Lancashire
• University of Reading
• University of Hertfordshire

Winter Intake in the UK 2024

The winter intake begins in January. It is the second most common type of intake in the United Kingdom. Universities accept applications for only a limited number of courses. Although there are fewer options than in September, some students and applicants prefer this session.

The application period for this intake usually begins in June of the previous year and ends in September.

Merits of the Winter Intake in the UK

This intake provides an additional opportunity for students who missed the application deadline for the primary Fall intake. It is less competitive. It makes it easier for students to plan ahead of time and apply. Students can catch up on their classes without taking a gap year

UK Universities for Winter Intake 2024

Let us now look at the universities in the UK that will be accepting applications for the winter intake of this academic year.

• University of Brighton
• University of Lincoln
• University of South Wales
• Oxford Brookes University
• Keele University
• Birmingham City University
• City University of London
• University of Greenwich
• University of the Sunderland
• Birkbeck University of London
• Bangor University
• Brunel University
• Edge Hill University
• Kingston University
• Northumbria University
• University of Chester
• Anglia Ruskin University
• Coventry University
• De Montfort University

May Intake in the UK

The April/May session is the least popular session offered by UK universities. This is because most students take their spring break during this time. As a result, studying in the UK becomes significantly less competitive. So, if you want to start your higher education in May, apply to universities by January or February.

UK Universities for May Intake

Here is a list of universities offering summer intakes in the UK:

• University of Bedfordshire
• Coventry University
• Northumbria University
• Salford University
• Ulster University

Popular Courses For UK Intakes

• Business and Management
• Law
• Engineering
• Computer Science and Information Technology
• Economics and Finance
• Biotechnology and Life Sciences
• Psychology
• International Relations and Political Science
• Environmental Science and Sustainability

UK Intakes 2024: Which Intake to Choose?

A variety of factors influence the selection of an intake to study in the United Kingdom. Because not all universities and course options are available in every intake, your intake choice is heavily influenced by the university and course you choose. Your previous academic record, test scores, application start and deadline dates, and so on are all factors that influence your intake selection.

Most international students prefer to take the September intake, However, January and May intake are also great for some of the selected courses like Business Management, Data Sciences, Finance Management, etc. Don’t lose hope if you don’t enroll for this year, be ready and apply for next year’s intake.

Documents Required for Admission Intakes in the UK

If you are applying to study abroad, you need to keep in mind that there are specific documents that are seen as being very crucial. Some of the supporting paperwork for the UK admissions must be arranged by candidates. The following are some of the mandatory documents that applicants from outside the UK must submit in order to be considered for admission to the top universities in the UK:

• Your filled-out application
• fee for applications
• diplomas from high school or degrees
• CV/resume
• 2-3 SOPs
• 3 LORs or more
• scores on standardized tests (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS)

Also Read: IELTS and GMAT Scores to Study in UK

Tips for Applying to UK Intakes

Understanding the education system of a new country can be challenging at first. Here are a few useful tips for applying to UK intakes:

1. Start early: If you plan to enroll in a UK university for the September 2024 intake, start looking into and comparing universities by August of the prior year. Use this time to research each university’s admissions standards and learn more about them. Make the necessary plans and start the application procedure.

2. Win your tests: Start getting ready for English proficiency exams like the TOEFL or IELTS, and take them by January or February. You won’t feel rushed to apply because you’ll get the results in a week.

3. Begin shortlisting universities: your applications to the colleges you plan to attend. Make contact with former professors and ask for a recommendation letter. Lastly, start creating 2-3 SOPs with quality content. When the application window opens and closes for the autumn intake, which is in February and May respectively, these processes can be finished.

4. Stay Update: Please pay attention to any emails or messages you get from the colleges you applied to. If there are personal interviews, go to them. Inform the colleges that are willing to accept you of your decision going forward!

5. Prepare to take off: Finally, prepare your documents and visa so you can fly to the UK. Get your international credit/debit cards in order, gather all the required paperwork, and head off to school without a hitch!

The September intake is preferred by the majority of overseas students. Some of the courses, however, are best taken in January or May. If you don’t have your scorecards ready, bypass the rush and apply for the next intake instead.

How to Apply to Universities in the UK?

International students applying to UK universities must follow a well-researched guide before starting their application process:

Step 1: Shortlist Courses and Universities

The primary step in the application process is to shortlist courses and universities according to your academic profile and preference. Students can shortlist courses and universities through AI-Course Finder and generate a list of universities where they are most likely to get through and plan their application process.

Step 2: Know Your Deadlines

The next step is to know the exact deadlines of universities and colleges in the UK you are planning to apply to. International students have to take the application process well in advance (one year to 6 months before the actual deadline). This ensures that students can fulfil all the college requirements such as SOP, letters of recommendation, English proficiency tests, funding/scholarship options, and accommodation.

Step 3: Take Entrance Tests

The third step in the application process for UK universities requires students to take tests like IELTS/TOEFL/PTE or GRE/GMAT/LNAT/BMAT/MAT (in some courses). In some universities, students can be given submit scores for SAT or ACT exams. A new addition to English proficiency tests is the Duolingo Test which allows students to appear for the exam from the comfort of their homes and is accepted across the world.

Step-4: Compile Your Documents

The next step is to compile all the required documents and test scores for the application process. This means students should start writing their SOPs, getting letters of recommendation from teachers and supervisors, and arranging their financial statements along with other documents like test scorecards. With the COVID-19 pandemic, students must download their vaccine certificates and specify the administered vaccine for the application.

Step 5: Get Started with the Application

Once you have all the documents in place, students can start the application process either directly or through UCAS. Students applying to UK universities that accept direct applications can start by applying through the official university website. They have to select the courses, pay the application fees, and start the online application process. 

Interesting Reads

Study in UK for Free for International Students: Know How	UK Scholarships for Indian Students
What are the Requirements to Study in UK?	Top 10 Reasons to Study in UK
Public Universities in UK for International Students	Study in the UK Without IELTS

FAQs

Hope you now have the answer to your questions about intakes in UK for international students. Not sure how to go about it? Let the professionals at Leverage Edu take care of your academic journey! You may enlist the assistance of Leverage Edu specialists to assist you with the application process so that you can realize your goals. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.