A lot of Indian students choose the United Kingdom as their study abroad location. The place is home to some of the best universities in the world.
If you want to study in the UK, you need to understand the intake schedule. The January intake universities in the UK are the earliest option for you right now.
The academic calendar begins in September and ends in July. In this period, students are accepted in three intakes:
- Fall or September/October intake
- Winter or January/February intake
- Summer/Spring or May intake
| Intake season | Intake month | Academic year |
| Fall | September | September–December/early January |
| Winter | January | January–April |
| Summer/Spring | May | May-August |
Why consider January intake universities in the UK?
The fall intake is the most popular among international students to study in UK. However, January intake universities in the UK are underrated and actually a great option. Here’s why.
- You get the chance to apply if you have missed the September/October intake.
- You get more time to work on your application.
- The January intake universities in the UK receive fewer international applications than the September intake because it is a secondary intake. So, it increases your chances of getting in
- It is also a great option for students who are considering taking a gap year. The time frame gives you enough time to relax after finishing school or graduation without having to miss out an entire academic year.
- It also gives an opportunity to students who missed the Fall intake deadline for their desired university to re-apply and not miss an academic year.
Top 10 January intake universities in UK
| University name | Relevant ranking | Course/Department | Education level |
| Bangor University | # 601-650 in QS World University Rankings | MA/MSc/MBA in Banking and Finance MSc Accounting MSc Accounting and Banking MSc Accounting and Finance MA/MBA in Banking and Law. | Only Master’s |
| Queen Mary University of London | 117th in the world and 14th in the UK by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. | MSc Management MSc Management with Integrated Pre-Masters MSc Marketing MSc Artificial Intelligence with Machine Learning MSc Big Data Science with Machine Learning Systems | Only Master’s |
| University of Bedfordshire | Ranked 801-1000 by THE (Times Higher Education)- University Ranking 2022 | BSc Artificial Intelligence BSc Business Information System BSc Cybersecurity BSc Computer Animation and Visual Effects BEng Computer Systems Engineering | Both Bachelor’s and Master’s |
| University of Derby | 601 in World University Rankings by Times Higher Education | BSc (Hons) Interior Architecture and Venue Design BSc Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering BA (Hons) International Business BA (Hons) International Business and Finance | Both Bachelor’s and Master’s |
| London South Bank University | Ranked 801 in World University Rankings by Times Higher Education | Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Marketing Business Management Engineering, Architecture, and Built Environment Education, Psychology, Arts, and Sciences Nursing, Midwifery | Both Bachelor’s and Master’s |
| University of Essex | Ranked 50th for ‘politics and international studies’ and 55th for sociology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022. | MBA MSc in Artificial Intelligence MSc in Behavioral Economics MSc in Management Economics LLM in International Law MSc in Business Analytics | Only Master’s |
| University of East Anglia | Ranked #320 in Best Global Universities | BA Broadcast and Multimedia Journalism BSc Operating Department Practice BA Drama BSc Physics with a Year Abroad BSc Economics with a Year Abroad BSc Social Psychology | Both Bachelor’s and Master’s |
| University of York | One of the top 24 research universities in the UK | BEng (Hons) Music Technology Systems BEng (Hons) in Electronic Engineering with a Foundation Year BSc (Hons) Physics Business and Finance | Both Bachelor’s and Master’s |
| Lancaster University | Lancaster is 146th out of more than 1,000 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2023. | Advertising and Marketing: BA Hons Architecture: BA Hons Biochemistry: BSc Hons Biochemistry: MSci Hons | Both Bachelor’s and Master’s |
| Leeds Beckett university | Leeds Beckett ranked in the 601-800 band and placed joint 67th of the 93 UK universities assessed by the Times Higher Education. | MA English Language Teaching MA International Human Rights and Practice MA International Political Economy MA International Relations MA Landscape Architecture MA Peace and Development MA Public Relations and Strategic Communication MA Urban Design | Both Bachelor’s and Master’s |
Things to consider before you apply for the January intake universities in UK
There are a lot of expectations to fulfill, if you want to get into a good college abroad.
Talk to advisors
You can discuss your application in India from advisors.
They will assess your application to check if you meet all the prerequisites and offer you advice to help you study in UK.
Such consultancy agencies can be expensive and time-taking. Hence, we recommend going to an online free platform.
Sign up on SelectRight. We connect you with mentors who can answer your questions and help you with various aspects of your application.
Not only that, on SelectRight you can connect with alumni and current students so that you can get relevant advice.
Language Requirements to study in UK
English language entry requirements vary according to:
- which program you are taking – this can affect whether you need the standard English language requirements or the higher English language requirements.
- the level at which the program is taught
- the duration of study. For example, for one-semester programs colleges usually accept a declaration that your education was conducted in English.
Standard scores needed to qualify for the January intake universities in UK.
IELTS – Overall: 6.0. Listening, reading, speaking and writing: 5.5
TOEFL (iBT) – Overall: 87 , Listening and reading: 20, Writing: 21, Speaking: 22
If you do not meet the direct entry language requirements, some colleges offer supplementary pre-sessional Academic English courses that you can take before or during your academic program.
Supporting documents you need for January intake universities in UK
Transcript of records
You should have an original transcript in English, or an English translation signed and stamped by your home university.
Description of the grading system at your home university
If your university or school followed a different grading system then explain that in your application.
This will help the academic staff understand your transcript. Failure to provide this could lead to rejection.
Evidence of language requirements
You have to provide a certificate of your English proficiency test scores to prove that you qualify for the program.
Reference
Depending on your course and university, you will have to submit one or two academic references. These can be from any lecturer or professor at your home institution who has taught you.
Your referee will only be contacted if there are any points of clarification required about your application.
Portfolio
Some programs like Performance Music and Fine Art and Design require applicants to submit a portfolio of their work.
When to apply for the January intake universities in UK
Applications for the January intake generally open after applications for the September intake are closed.
The deadline is usually between June and September and will differ for various courses and universities.
Hence, you should check the university’s website and any external agencies through which you have to apply.
We recommend that you gather all the documents and funds at least 3 months before the application deadline. Some universities have a first-come-first-serve system while assessing applications.
Sometimes the university may also ask for extra information in order to process your application.
The typical timeline for the September intake starts in June-July when you start prepping. You have to follow multiple stages to get your application assessed. However, for the January intake, your process will have to start in March so that you can submit your application by June, or July.
A timeline for January intake universities in UK
Use the period between April and May to narrow your scope
- Choose your course.
- Choose where you want to study in UK.
- Understand your requirements- SOP, LOR and start collecting them.
- We recommend that you also look at scholarships. You can only apply for scholarships if you have applied to your desired university by a certain time frame.
- Start preparing for the tests you have to take.
Choosing a course and university is extremely difficult because there are just so many options. Hence, the process can take up a good chunk of your time.
Thankfully, we have better ways of doing this today. Like, SelectRight. The AI-based platform uses 6 million data points across 10,000+ STEM, CS & MBA programs to give you transparent and unbiased recommendations on where you should study in the UK.
The platform matches you with programs based on your requirements. You can create a wishlist of your courses and universities and easily access them at any time.
Use June to take the standardized tests
You don’t need to take many standardized tests to be admitted to a college in the UK. The typical test is TOEFL or IELTS, take the test in June. This gives you enough time to retake the test, if you score low.
Apply by July
You should gather all your documents and apply by July.
A letter of recommendation can be tricky since it’s not in your hands. So, keep in touch with your teachers to ensure that they fill it out in time.
After this, you need to arrange your finances. You must already have an idea about how you are going to fund your education but this is the time to reach out.
Research and apply for education loans, scholarships and financial aid. SelectRight can also help you look for education loans and scholarships.
SelectRight can help you find and get into your dream January intake universities in the UK for free.
