UK Popular Academic Intakes 2024-2025

The United Kingdom is a dream destination for students looking forward to studying abroad. Most of the universities in the UK are standing proud in the global rankings by Times Higher Education. Not only are they recognised but corporate companies respect their quality education. As challenging as it seems to finalise a course and university to go to, it’s where the journey begins!

The competition to get into UK universities is fierce. A Universities and Colleges Admissions Service in Gloucestershire, England called UCAS witnesses applications from over 7 Lakh students every year, aspiring to get into the 380+ prestigious universities of the UK. And the intakes are where students play their bets to win. When the Indian schools allow students to enrol once a year, UK universities offer 3 intakes.

1st Intake: Autumn

Autumn Intake is the most popular and, hence, primary intake in the UK. It happens in September-October and has the largest number of applications received. Over 80% of applicants choose this intake as it supports all courses available and universities to apply to. Furthermore, it aligns with the academic schedule in India maintaining a consistent flow. It allows quality time for students to prepare for their applications and interviews. The Autumn intake, or the September intake, lays various options on courses and scholarships for students to choose from. Not only that, the course comes at just the right time when graduates can access internships and other career opportunities. The season is competitive for both students and graduates.

The University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London have their standard autumn intakes. The application window typically stays open from February to May. However, universities may have slightly different durations for different courses.

2nd Intake: Spring

The spring intake is the secondary intake in the UK. The application window for this intake opens between September to November. On the other hand, it allows students to catch up on their respective courses without taking the year off. With a larger preparation time, the spring intake does have some upper hand on the main intake after all. While the course options may be limited when compared to that in the Fall, competition is at a low too. Aberystwyth University, the University of Birmingham and the London School of Economics are some of the universities which accept students from this intake. It is also an ideal intake for students wishing to pursue post-graduation programs.

Also known as the winter intake, all the courses with this intake begin amidst the winters of the UK. Universities proceed with their intake process from January and take interviews and admissions till April. Students flying to begin their study through this intake must consider the weather and its needs, as the winters in the UK are mean.

3rd Intake: Summer

Students can apply for the spring or summer intake from October to November. The summer intake is an additional intake in the UK. The University of Bedfordshire, Coventry University and Northumbria University are some of the universities that use this intake to collect the rest of its herd from May to August. London School of Economics too participate in the process. Like the spring intake, the choices of courses and universities are limited. As a result, it is least preferred by aspirants. But those who do, have a much higher chance to get admitted because of the low competition. Moreover, the batch size is smaller and gets more attention from the faculties.

Masters & PhD Intakes

The UK takes admissions for MBA students between April and May. As for all courses, universities might have a different or additional intake for their colleges. Likely, some accept applications during the fall and September intakes too. The process, however, is lengthier than the UG application process. It could take up to 4-5 rounds, or 6-7 months. For other postgraduation courses, there are 3 intakes from which the January and September intakes are the most preferred.

Universities in the UK offer rolling admissions for PhD. There are no special intakes. Students can apply in any of the 3 intakes or when they are ready. The opportunities as well as the possibilities are endless.

Make a Choice

Be it a UG course or a PG course, all intakes have their own benefits. While the Autumn intake offers the most courses, the Summer intake has the least acceptance. The Spring intake has the most balance. These intakes can be compared easily with the availability of the choice of courses and universities. Students who need more time to decide and prepare will always have the option of applying during the latter intakes. The application cost (INR 5,000 to INR 15,000) as well as the visa process for all intakes are the same. They only vary as per the university standards.

Students can also apply during clearing. Universities fill their vacant spots through clearing from July to October.

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