Intakes in UK: Choose the Right One for Your Master’s Program

Intakes in UK: Choose the Right One for Your Master’s Program

If you’ve got dreams of studying in Britain, you need to understand the intakes in the UK. The main question we get asked is “How many intakes are there in the UK”? 

And the answer is simple: there are three. 

They are called the fall intake, the winter intake, and the summer intake. These intakes in the UK happen during September, January, and May, respectively.

If you’d like a deeper understanding of intakes in the UK, read on.

So without beating about the bush, let’s get right into it.

How many intakes are there in the UK?

The intake you choose is a very important decision, as it affects the courses you can take, scholarships, and postgraduate recruitment.

So, as we mentioned above, there are three main intakes in the UK. The academic year starts with the fall intake in September through to mid-October. Then, you have the ‘winter intake’ that starts in mid-January and continues through to the end of February. The last major intake is the ‘summer intake’ that runs from the end of April to the beginning of June.

Here’s a quick overview of the main intakes in the UK:

Let’s learn more about these UK intakes.

• Fall Intake

The fall intake in the UK is the one that is most popular among students, both national and international, and it runs from the start of September to the middle of October. 

That’s why if any of your friends have gone to the UK to study, they’ve probably left in September. 

This intake has the maximum number of degrees available, and almost every single university will have this intake. In fact, during our research, we haven’t found a single in-person university that does not have a fall intake. 

Anyway, coming back to the fall intake. 

It offers the widest selection of courses across all levels, from undergraduate to postgraduate programs. This intake also provides the maximum scholarship opportunities, especially for international students. 

When students ask us ‘which intake is best for the UK’ we often point to September because it offers the full university experience, complete with orientation programs and a large international student community. However, the caveat is that due to this popularity, competition for courses and scholarships can be intense. 

Also, especially in India, students need to prepare their applications well in advance to meet early deadlines. Typically, Indian high schoolers will miss out on any early access decisions because our boards (ISC, CBSE and state boards) do not publish results till the end of May, and early access deadlines are usually in April. Application deadlines for the Fall Intake can be as early as January for some programs, which may feel rushed for students who haven’t planned ahead. 

This is to align with one of the main UK academic years of April to March.

• Winter Intake

Next up, we have the winter intake that runs from the middle of January to the end of February each year. 

It is a fantastic arrangement if you’ve missed the fall intakes in the UK. Also, many students who are waiting for competitive exam results like the GMAT, MCAT, GRE and LSAT opt for this intake, so they can have a do-over of the exam if needed. 

The winter intakes in the UK provide flexibility for those who need extra time to prepare their applications, funding, or visas. In our experience, the Jan intake often has less competition for admissions and potentially lower accommodation costs. It’s also ideal for students who are completing their previous degrees in December or those who need extra time for visa processing. However, be aware that scholarship opportunities might be more limited compared to the September intake, and many courses have accelerated schedules to catch up with the academic year. 

This accelerated course load coupled with the fact the majority of social activities align with the fall intake can mean that your socialising opportunities might be limited with this intake. However, it’s not all doom and gloom — there are many upsides to taking the winter intakes in the UK. 

One of the big ones is that with fewer students enrolling, classes tend to be smaller, allowing for better interaction with faculty. Also, universities often have shorter processing times for applications during this intake. 

Additionally, many courses have intakes both in the fall and in winter, so if you wanted a particular program, you can pursue it without waiting a whole year.

• Summer Intake

And the last of the major intakes in the UK is the spring intake. This one is the smallest and least common of all UK intakes and caters mostly to specific programs in business, management, and STEM fields. The main pro is that as there is very little competition, you have a high(er) chance of securing admission to your program. However, by this point, all of the funding money has usually been allocated, which means you might not get any financial aid. Also, very, very few programs are available in the spring intakes in the UK, so if your program isn’t one, you’re out of luck. 

And now that you’ve got the basics of intakes in the UK down, let’s move into two specific areas of study: MBAs and PhDs. They use largely the same intakes in the UK as other fields of study but with some key differences. Let’s start with MBA intakes in the UK.

MBA intakes in the UK

You can usually find MBA programs across all three intakes, with certain benefits to each. 

For one, the Fall Intake (September) is the most popular, offering a broad range of MBA specializations, abundant networking opportunities, and maximum scholarship availability. It aligns with the main academic cycle, making it ideal for students aiming for a traditional university experience. The Winter Intake (January) caters to professionals needing more time for preparation or those targeting mid-year program starts. 

It often features smaller cohorts, providing more personalized interactions with peers and faculty. 

The Summer Intake (May) is less common but serves those seeking flexible, niche MBA programs in fields like finance or entrepreneurship.

Now, while the fall remains dominant for MBA programs, top business schools like LBS and Oxford Said often operate a rounds-based admission system rather than traditional intakes.

For example, Cambridge Judge Business School typically offers 4 to 5 application rounds starting from September through May, with the first round offering the best chances for scholarships and funding. 

With that done, let’s talk about the nuances of PhD. intakes in the UK.

PhD intakes in the UK

PhD programs in the UK are available in all three intakes, but each has unique advantages. 

The September Fall intake in the UK is traditionally preferred for PhD studies, as it aligns with departmental funding cycles and research council scholarships. 

Many universities allocate their primary research funding and teaching assistantships during this intake. It’s also when most research groups kick off new projects and when academic supervisors typically take on new students.

The January intake in the UK sees a good number of PhD students too, particularly in STEM fields and structured doctoral programs. 

This intake works well for students who need extra time to develop their research proposals or are finishing their master’s degrees in December. While some funding is available, it’s usually less than the September intake.

May intake in the UK for PhDs is less structured – it’s more about individual arrangements between supervisors and students, especially in humanities and social sciences where research can begin at any time. This flexibility makes it attractive for self-funded students or those with external funding, though university-based funding is rarely available during this period.

Remember, PhD timing often depends more on supervisor availability and research project timelines than traditional academic calendars.

So, with the PhD intakes in the UK covered, let’s talk about postgraduate master’s program intakes.

Intakes for Master’s in the UK 

Master’s programs in the UK offer flexibility with Fall, Winter, and Summer intakes, giving students the freedom to pick what works best for them. 

Just like with MBA and PhD programs, the Fall Intake (September) is the most popular and widely available. 

It’s perfect for students who want the full university experience—welcome events, bustling campuses, and plenty of opportunities to make friends. Plus, this intake has the most scholarship options and the largest variety of courses. If you’re unsure which intake is best for you, the Fall Intake is often the safest bet.

The Winter Intake (January) works well for students who might have missed the Fall deadlines or need extra time to prepare their applications. While the course selection is smaller than in September, many sought-after programs, especially in business and engineering, are still available. Smaller class sizes are a big bonus here, offering more interaction with faculty and classmates. If you’ve been busy finishing up another program or waiting for funding, this intake gives you a second chance without waiting a full year.

The Summer Intake (May) is the smallest of the three and usually focuses on niche programs or short-term professional courses. 

It’s a good option if you’re looking for a less competitive admission process or starting a program in business, STEM, or management. 

Each intake has its pros and cons, so it’s all about timing and finding the right fit for your goals.

Now, let’s move on to finding out which intake is the best one for you.

Understanding UK intakes: Which one is for you?

The fall (September) one is good for you when:

• You want access to the widest range of courses and specializations
• You are seeking maximum scholarship opportunities
• You prefer a traditional university experience
• You are prepared to meet early application deadlines

Choose winter (January) if:

• You need additional time to prepare your applications or are awaiting exam results.
• You prefer smaller class sizes 
• You want to avoid intense competition 
• You are flexible with limited course offerings

Choose summer (May) when:

• You are interested in specialized or niche programs
• You want less competition for admissions
• You prefer a more flexible start date
• You are less reliant on scholarships 

So that’s how you choose the best intake. Now, let’s find out which is the most in demand. 

What is the most preferred intake?

The Fall intake is the most popular one for international students in the UK. 

Here’s why:

• All universities participate in fall intake (100% course availability)
• Most scholarship and funding opportunities
• Largest intake of international students
• Maximum networking opportunities
• A fuller calendar of social events and activities
• More time to arrange visas and accommodation
• Better part-time job opportunities
• More housing options available
• Better timing for internship recruitment cycles

And now, in our last section, we’ll give you some tips when applying for university in the UK.

Tips for applying to UK intakes

These are our top tips, organised by intake.

For September:

• Naturally, apply as early as possible. Most universities have rolling deadlines and seats run out very quickly. So, get your hat in the ring as early as is humanly possible.
• Universities accept predicted grades to give you a ‘conditional’ offer letter. In India, we don’t have predicted grades so if you’re a high schooler, you can use your ‘pre-board’ exam results as predictive grades.
• Also remember that engineering seats in particular end by around mid-July, after which you’ll only get waitlisted seats. This is especially true of Russell-Group institutions.
• Housing demand is highest for this intake; book as soon as you get your offer.
• Arrive early to make the most of networking opportunities and fresher activities.

For January:

• Research courses with winter intakes, as options can be limited.
• Apply for your visa early to avoid holiday season delays.
• Utilize the months before January to strengthen your application and retake tests if needed.
• Focus on securing external funding sources since university scholarships may be limited.

For May:

• Always verify specific university and program requirements.
• Check English language proficiency test deadlines.
• Understand visa processing times for your specific country.
• Create a comprehensive application timeline.
• Be prepared to demonstrate financial sustainability for your studies.

While choosing the right intake is an important decision, it’s just one part of the process. What really matters first is shortlisting universities that align with your career goals and offer a high return on investment (ROI). Once you have that list, you can focus on programs whose intake matches your timeline for enrollment.

This is where GradRight’s university-search platform can simplify your journey.

Here’s how GradRight helps you make informed decisions:

1. Using 8 million+ data points across 40,000+ programs and 4,000+ universities globally, GradRight matches you with universities that fit your career goals, budget, and preferences.
2. You get insights into placement rates, alumni salaries, and program-specific benefits to ensure you’re investing in the right future.
3. Whether you’re targeting September, January, or May intakes, you can easily filter programs based on your timeline.
4. Find universities with scholarships and funding options to make your education more affordable.
5. With a clear picture of what each university offers, you can create stronger, more focused applications.

GradRight takes the guesswork out of shortlisting and ensures you’re setting yourself up for success from the very beginning.

Next, let’s dive into some FAQs about UK intakes to clear up any remaining doubts.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many intakes does the UK have?

The UK has three main intakes: September (Fall), January (Winter), and May (Summer). September is the primary intake, January is growing in popularity, and May offers limited courses.

2. Which intake is best for the UK?

The fall intake in the UK is generally considered the best option due to its wide range of courses, maximum scholarship availability, and the opportunity for a full university experience with extensive networking.

3. Which intake is best in the USA?

The Fall (August/September) intake is best for the USA, similar to the UK. Spring (January) is also popular, but Fall offers more opportunities and course options.

4. Is obtaining a UK study visa easy?

Obtaining a UK study visa can be straightforward if you meet all requirements, including proof of acceptance into a recognized institution, financial stability, and English language proficiency. However, it is essential to prepare thoroughly and ensure all documentation is accurate to avoid complications.