Spring Intake in the UK 2025: A Complete Guide
The academic calendar for higher studies in the UK begins around September every year. This marks the commencement of fall intake when a large number of academic programs are available for international students. It is the main study intake in the UK.
However, due to various reasons, many of the students prefer spring take (January intake) to commence or continue their academic journey. If you’re a study abroad aspirant planning to pursue higher studies in the UK during the spring intake, this blog is for you!
We’ll explore the benefits, challenges, course availability, and everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
- Study Intakes in the UK 2025: Key Highlights
- What is Spring Intake in the UK?
- Top Reasons to Consider the Spring Intake in the UK
- Challenges during Spring Intake in the UK
- Popular UK Universities for the Spring Intake 2025
- Available Courses for Spring Intake in the UK
- Required Documents for the University Application Process
- Application Timeline for Spring Intake in the UK
- University Application Process in the UK for Spring Intake
- Key Takeaways by AdmitX
- FAQs
Study Intakes in the UK 2025: Key Highlights
There are 3 study intakes in the UK.
- Fall intake in the UK is the primary intake when universities offer major study programs like STEM courses, finance, business management, and social sciences.
- Spring Intake is the secondary intake, in which a few of the major courses are available to international students.Â
- Not all UK universities conduct the admission process in this intake.
- During the summer intake, diploma and foundation courses are available for international students at UK universities.
| Intakes | Application Cycle | Commencement of Intake |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (September Intake) | Sep/Oct 2024-Feb 2025 | Late August/September 2025 |
| Spring (January Intake) | Sep 2024-Jan 2024 | January/February 2025 |
| Summer (May Intake) | Jan 2025-March 2025 | May/June 2025 |
What is Spring Intake in the UK?
- Among all other study intakes in the UK, spring intake is the second most common intake, and it attracts students from around the world.Â
- Depending on the university, the spring intake begins in January and lasts until around March-April.Â
- In other words, students can begin their study programs in the middle of the academic year.Â
Now, let’s understand the reasons why you should consider the spring intake to get admission to UK universities.Â
Top Reasons to Consider the Spring Intake in the UK
There are various reasons to consider the spring intake to get admission to UK universities, which we have described below.
Alternate Chance to Study in the UK
Since the spring intake begins in the middle of the academic year, it provides an excellent opportunity if you missed the fall intake or your application was rejected. In short, it allows you to start your studies sooner without having to wait for another year.
Less Crowded Classrooms
Those who go for spring intake may find the student-teacher ratio low, and it offers them more personalised attention from professors and a better learning experience. Â
Less Crowded Classrooms
Those who go for spring intake may find the student-teacher ratio low, and it offers them more personalised attention from professors and a better learning experience. Â
Higher Chances of Acceptance
The low competition in the spring process for admission to UK universities makes the application process more relaxed and increases the chances of acceptance.
Affordable Living Expenses
If you are looking for a more affordable living setup in the UK while pursuing higher education, then spring intake is the best option for you because of the presence of fewer students on campus and in the city, which can lower the demand for housing and other services.
Start Your Summer Internship Early
Enrolling in spring intake allows you to complete your course faster and pursue the summer internship and training programs early as compared to September-start peers.
Challenges during Spring Intake in the UK
There are a few challenges that international students might face if they go for the spring intake in the UK.
Availability of Fewer Courses
- Only selected bachelor’s programs are available during the spring intake in the UK.
- Highly specialised programs such as medicine and dentistry are unavailable during this intake.
- Master’s programs are available but with a few options.
- Those programs that are tied to specific research areas (post-graduate research and PhD) are only available in fall intake.
Limited Networking Opportunities
Due to the small class size and low enrollment during the spring intake, you may find a smaller student cohort, which could limit the networking opportunities as compared to the fall intake.
Limited Support
UK universities structure their academic calendar around the fall intake, which is the most popular and in-demand admission cycle. Due to this higher demand, universities allocate more infrastructure, resources, and support services to the fall intake as compared to the Spring intake.
Popular UK Universities for the Spring Intake 2025
Below, we have tabulated some of the popular universities of the UK that are offering admission to international students for Spring intake 2025, along with their QS world university rankings 2025 and application deadlines for postgraduate courses.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 | Application Deadlines for PG Courses (Spring Intake 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Loughborough University | 224 | 6th December 2024 |
| Heriot-Watt University | 256 | 01st December 2024 |
| University of Strathclyde | 281 | Depends on program |
| University of Leicester | 285 | 01st December 2024 |
| University of East Anglia | 332 | 31st October 2024 |
| University of Dundee | 418 | 02nd December 2024 |
| Essex University | 472 | 02nd December 2024 |
| University of Hull | 516 | Depends on program |
| Coventry University | 526 | 16th December 2024 |
| Manchester Metropolitan University | 601 | 25th November 2024 |
| University of East London | 901 | 29th November 2024 |
Available Courses for Spring Intake in the UK
Some of the common courses which are available during the spring intake in the UK are
- Accountancy & Finance
- Architectural Engineering
- Biosciences
- Business Management
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Language programs
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Urban Studies
Required Documents for the University Application Process
Following is a common checklist of required documents for the university application process. This may depend on the course and the university.
- Completed university application form
- Previous academic documents, such as
- Class X marksheet
- Class X passing certificate
- Class XII marksheet
- Class XII passing certificate
- School leaving certificate
- UG marksheets of all years
- UG degree certificate
- PG marksheets of all years
- PG degree certificate
- College/university passing certificate
- Migration certificate
- GMAT/GRE Scorecard (if applicable)
- Language Proficiency Test scorecard (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo etc.)
- 1 CV or Resume
- Statement of Purpose/Essays
- Letters of Recommendation
- Work Experience Letter
- University application fee of GBP 60-120 or INR 6,483-12,967 (depending on the institute)
- Passport
Application Timeline for Spring Intake in the UK
- The application window for the spring intake in the UK lasts between September and January.Â
- Hence, those applicants who are exclusively looking to get admission in this intake should start preparation at least 6-9 months before the commencement of the application cycle.Â
- International applicants who missed the fall intake or had their applications rejected are often already prepared, as they may have completed most of the required steps earlier.Â
- As a result, they may not need additional preparation to apply for the spring intake.
University Application Process in the UK for Spring Intake
- Enlist at least 8-10 UK universities providing the desired course in the spring intake.
- Visit their official websites and check the important details such asÂ
- Fee
- Location
- Syllabus
- Entry requirements
- Career outcome
- Class profile
- Application dates
- Shortlist 5-7 universities depending on the above factors listed and personal preferences.
- Considering their application dates, start applying for the programs on their official websites or the UCAS application portal.
- Complete the university application form.
- Upload the documents
- Pay the application fee
- Review and submit the application form
- Print out the confirmation receipt
- Wait for the university’s response.Â
- Upon completing the application process, you will get an unconditional offer letter by email.
- Accept the offer letter.
- Pay the first installment of the tuition fee and fulfill other conditions, if provided.
- You will get a confirmed offer letter from the university through email.
- Proceed with your student visa application.
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
The spring intake is a popular option in the UK, offering a second chance to applicants within the same academic year who either missed their opportunity to apply during the fall intake or had their applications rejected. This intake allows students to stop waiting for the next academic year.
There are many programs available in the spring intake, such as accounting and finance, business, management, social sciences, natural sciences, etc., depending on the university.
FAQs
How many study intakes are in the UK?
There are 3 study intakes in the UK: fall, spring, and summer intakes. Fall intake is the primary intake and marks the beginning of an academic year in the country.
Which study intake is best for me to pursue studies in the UK?
Fall intake is considered the best study intake in the UK because, at the beginning of an academic year, UK universities provide diverse options of courses and scholarships that might not be available during spring and summer intakes. It also depends on your personal preferences and academic goals.
Is spring intake good for me?
You can opt for the spring intake if you missed the opportunity to apply during the fall intake or had your applications rejected. The number of courses available for this intake might be less than that for the fall intake.
How long are the classes during spring intake in the UK?
Depending on the university, the spring intake in the UK lasts between January to March-April. It is the country’s second most popular study intake, and it is relatively shorter than the fall intake.
Are undergraduate programs available for the spring intake?
Depending on the university and discipline, some undergraduate programs are available for the spring intake. You can check the UCAS portal or university websites for more information.
