UK university intakes
UK universities run a dominant September intake and a smaller January one. The practical difference for an Indian applicant is less about the months than about when the scholarship deadlines fall, which is far earlier than the admission deadlines.
At a glance
| Intakes | Sep, Jan |
|---|---|
| Destination guide | UK |
What runs when
- September — every course, every scholarship, the full cohort.
- January — a subset of taught master's, far fewer awards, smaller cohort.
- Rolling admissions at many universities, so early application genuinely helps.
Chevening and the Commonwealth awards close around a year before the September start — often before you have even applied to universities. That is the earliest date on your whole timeline.
Timeline that works
- Autumn, a year ahead — IELTS booked; Chevening and Commonwealth applications in.
- Winter — university applications and their scholarship forms.
- Spring — offers; loan application started.
- Early summer — CAS issued; loan sanctioned; funds held for the required period.
- Summer — Student visa applied for.
The CAS is the dependency that catches people: the visa cannot be applied for without it, and it is issued only once you have accepted and met every condition.
UK intakes — FAQs
2 questions
No. January is a subset, usually taught master's. Confirm your specific programme rather than relying on the university advertising one.
The large government awards close roughly a year before the course starts, well before university application deadlines.
Not sure which intake to target? A counsellor works backwards from your test dates, funding and visa timeline to the intake you can actually make — free.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 1 October 2026.