All you need to know about UK Universities Intakes
The UK offers two major intakes: Fall and Winter. However, some of the universities also accept students in the summer intake. Find out everything you need to know about the UK universities intakes.
Students who wish to study in the UK must know about the UK universities intakes. Each university in the UK has its own admission intake throughout the year, which varies with the courses and admission requirements. Most of the universities in the UK offer 2 major intakes: Fall and Winter. However, some universities offer spring/summer intake for certain courses.
Every year, the United Kingdom attracts over 300,000 students representing more than 150 nationalities. Renowned for its world-class teaching standards, 16 of the UK universities ranked among the top 100 according to the QS world rankings 2022. Learn about the different UK universities intakes and prepare yourself accordingly to avoid any last-minute hassles!
Table of Contents
- Intakes in the UK
- MBA Intakes in the UK
- Important UCAS Deadlines
- Which Intake should be Opted by International Students?
- Admission Requirements to Study in the UK
Intakes in the UK
The academic calendar of UK universities starts in September and ends in July/August. The table below provides information about the major UK universities intakes:
| Intake | Starts from | Duration | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | September | September–December/early January | Primary intake |
| Winter | January | January–April | Secondary intake |
| Summer/Spring | May | May-August | Least preferred intake |
Fall
In September and October, the UK receives the largest number of applications. It is also known as the fall or the autumn intake in the country. The majority of colleges in the UK begin their programs in the month of September. Application deadlines for the September intake usually fall between February and May of the particular academic year. However, the deadlines may vary according to the colleges and courses. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant institution for more information.
Given below are the September intake universities in the UK:
- Queen Mary University of London
- University of Oxford
- University of Exeter
- Kings College London
- University of Westminster
- London Metropolitan University
- University of Hertfordshire
- Birmingham City University
- Brunel University
- University of Cambridge
- University of Leeds
- Kingston University
- Aston University
- Swansea University
- Coventry University
- University of Liverpool
Timeline For September 2022 Intake In the UK
Application deadlines for different universities in the UK vary from one university to another, but the application process usually begins 8 to 16 months before the commencement of the course. Students need to have a well-defined plan in mind so that the application process can be completed smoothly. The table given below shows the step-by-step procedure that students should follow while applying for the fall intake:
| Timeline | Activity |
|---|---|
| April 2021 to June 2021 | Shortlist Universities |
| June 2021 to August 2021 | Appear for the Tests |
| August 2021 to December 2021 | Prepare your Documents |
| December 2021 to April 2022 | Submit Application |
| April 2022 to July 2022 | Apply for Visa |
| July 2022 to August 2022 | Plan your Travel |
Winter
As far as admission cycles in the United Kingdom are concerned, January to February is a supplementary intake. January Intake does not offer as many classes as the September admission cycle, but it provides an opportunity for candidates who have missed the entry into the main admission intake in the UK. It gives students additional time to work on their submissions. Submission deadlines for winter intake are typically between June and September. Depending on the university and course, however, the deadlines may vary.
The list of universities in UK for January intake is given below:
- Queen Mary University of London
- University of Liverpool
- Coventry University
- Birmingham City University
- University of South Wales
- University of Exeter
- Kingston University
- University of Greenwich
- University of Sunderland
- Oxford Brookes University
- Brunel University
- Aston University
- Brunel University
- Northumbria University
- Bangor University
Timeline For January 2022 Intake In the UK
Similar to the Septemeber Intake, students are encouraged to begin preparing for the application process of the January intake a year before the deadline for application submission. The table given below shows the timeline that international applicants should follow for the January 2022 intake:
| Timeline | Activity |
|---|---|
| April 2021 to June 2021 | Research Universities |
| June 2021 to August 2021 | Take Entrance Tests |
| August 2021 to September 2021 | Begin Applying to Colleges |
| September 2021 to October 2021 | Responding to Emails |
| August 2021 to November 2021 | Arrange your Funds and Apply for Visa |
| November 2021 to December 2021 | Tickets and Departure |
Summer/Spring
Admissions in April/May intakes are least preferred in the UK. There are few universities that offer admission during this time period, and the course options are relatively limited too. Most of the universities do not offer this intake because the students prefer to take a spring break. In contrast to other admission cycles, this one is less competitive because the chances of getting an offer are greater. The application deadline to apply for the summer intake in UK universities is April 30th, 2022. The deadline applies to most UK universities, but applicants should check with their respective universities to avoid any confusion.
Here are the April/May intake universities in UK:
- Coventry University
- University of Chester
- West of Scotland University
- Northumbria University
- Bedfordshire University
- Queen Mary University of London
- University of West London
- Keele University
- Ulster University
- Sheffield Hallam University
- Salford University
Timeline For May 2022 Intake In the UK
Though the number of courses offered by the UK universities in the summer intake is limited, this intake is a good opportunity for international students who could not apply for September or January intakes. Most universities in the UK that offer summer courses have a predefined process for accepting applications and completing the admission process. Let us now look at the timeline for May 2022 intake:
| Timeline | Activity |
|---|---|
| August 2021 to September 2021 | Explore Universities Offering Summer Courses |
| September 2021 to October 2021 | Take Standardized Tests |
| October 2021 to February 2022 | Apply for Admission |
| February 2021 to March 2022 | Wait for Decision |
| February 2022 to April 2022 | Apply for Visa |
| March 2022 to April 2022 | Plan your Travel |
MBA Intakes in the UK
Students who intend to pursue MBA in the UK need to apply during April/May. MBA admissions typically start in April and May until around September. Listed below are the top business schools offering admissions during April/May in the UK:
- Imperial Business School
- London Business School
- Warwick Business School
- Alliance Manchester
- Cambridge Judge Business School
- Cass Business School
Important UCAS Deadlines
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service) is a UK-based organization that manages all undergraduate admissions. We've provided UCAS deadlines for 2021-2022 below. For confirmation regarding important deadlines, you can also contact the respective university or visit their website.
| Deadline | Event |
|---|---|
| 15th October 2021 | Students can apply for courses in Cambridge and Oxford and for a majority of medicine and veterinary medicine courses at other universities by this date. |
| 15th January 2022 | All UG Programs for European (EU) students. |
| 30th June 2022 | All UG Programs for international students |
Which Intake should be Opted by International Students?
Choosing the right admission intake can be a bit confusing. Admissions to the January intake are open to students who are unable to attend the September admissions. According to some, September intakes are superior and more preferable in terms of course volume than January intakes. Although it is the most desired intake in the UK, there are some universities that also provide excellent courses for the January intakes. Students who don't have their scores ready should avoid the rush and apply for the next intake. The following criteria can be used to decide which intake would be the best fit:
- Availability of the program of your choice
- Preparation time required for your documents
- Your academic records
- Scores of your entrance tests
- Acceptance rates of universities
- Job Opportunities
- According to your convenience
Admission Requirements to Study in the UK
As you are now aware about the UK universities intakes, you must also familiarize yourself with the basic admission requirements of the UK. To study in the UK, international students need to demonstrate that they are proficient in the English language. This can be done by providing exam scores like IELTS or TOEFL. Check out the eligibility criteria and documents required to apply to top universities in the UK.
Eligibility Crtieria
A student needs to meet the following criteria to be eligible to study in the UK:
- To apply for an undergraduate program, students must have completed class 12th with at least 50% marks.
- To apply to PG programs, students must hold a degree that is equivalent to a British bachelor's degree. The minimum requirement is a second division bachelor's degree.
- International students need to prove their proficiency in English by taking the IELTS/TOEFL/PTE tests.
Below are the average score score requirements for English language proficiency tests:
- IELTS: 6.0 – 6.5
- TOEFL: 80 – 90
- PTE: 56 – 61
Documents Required
The following are the important documents you will need to apply to universities in the UK:
- Academic transcipts
- Valid passport
- Statement of Purpose
- Updated CV/Resume
- Letters of Recommendation
- UK student Visa
- Portfolio (if required)
- GMAT/GRE scores
- Research Proposal (for PG Research)
- Passport size photographs
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