Study Intakes in Australia: Universities, Courses & More
Australia is the 4th most popular study-abroad destination for Indian students, following the USA, UK, and Canada. The country is home to the world’s top universities, a friendly community, pleasant weather, and diverse career opportunities.
Australian universities primarily offer admissions to international students during the February and July intakes, commonly called semester 1 and semester 2, respectively. Additionally, some institutions provide a third intake in November each year. In this blog, we have discussed the study intakes in Australia, along with popular universities, courses, and more.
Study Intakes in Australia
- The primary study intakes in Australia are February (semester 1) and July intakes (semester 2), in which all Australian universities offer admission to international students.
- Some institutes like RMIT, University of Technology Sydney, and Monash University also offer admissions for November intake (semester 3).
- Some institutes offer trimester or term-based start times.
| Intakes | Commencement of Application | Application Deadlines | Commencement of Classes | Type of Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (Feb intake) | September 2024 | December 2024 | February/Early March 2025 | All courses |
| Semester 2 (July intake) | February 2025 | May-June 2025 | July/Early August 2025 | Majority of Courses |
| Semester 3 (November intake) | June 2025 | September-October 2025 | October/Early November 2025 | Some in-demand courses |
February Intake in Australia
- The February intake in Australia lasts every year between February/March and November.Â
- It marks the beginning of the academic year in Australia, where all higher education providers offer different courses to international students.Â
- The application process for the February intake in Australia starts around September and concludes in December, depending on the university and courses.
Features of February Intake in Australia
Wide Range of Courses: In this intake, Australian universities offer an extensive range of courses at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels aligned with the applicant’s career goals and interests.
Scholarship Opportunities: Since the February intake is one of the primary intakes, many Australian universities offer scholarships and financial aid specifically for the students commencing their studies in this intake.
Pleasant Weather: February month marks the end of the summer season in Australia, characterised by warm and pleasant weather that attracts students worldwide to pursue their higher studies.
Popular Universities in Australia for February Intake
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 | Application Deadlines (February Intake 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | 13 | 30th November 2024 |
| University of Sydney | 18 | 01st December 2024 |
| University of New South Wales | 19 | 31st October 2024 |
| Australian National University | 30 | 31st December 2024 |
| Monash University | 37 | Depends on the courses |
| University of Queensland | 40 | 30th November 2024 |
| University of Western Australia | 77 | 31st October 2024 |
| University of Adelaide | 82 | 01st November 2024 |
| University of Technology Sydney | 88 | 30th November 2024 |
| RMIT University | 123 | 4th October-22 October 2024 (Undergraduate) 26th September-1st December 2024 (Post-graduate) |
Popular Courses Offered in February Intake
The following are some of the most popular courses available during the February intake at Australian universities.
- Agriculture & Forestry
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Business Management
- Civil Engineering
- Engineering & Technology
- Dentistry
- Earth Sciences
- Geology
- Mining Engineering & Ocean Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Nursing
July Intake in Australia
- The July intake in Australia is also known as semester 2, which usually lasts between July and April every year.Â
- It is also called ‘mid-year intake’ because it provides options for international students to commence their higher education mid-year.Â
- The application process for the February intake in Australia starts around September and concludes in December, depending on the university and courses.
Features of July Intake in Australia
Start Early: If the academic year of the previous studies ends in June, then students are not required to wait another 6 months to commence their studies in Australia. They can take entry into the mid-year intake to pursue their desired program.
Alternate Chance: If the applicants have missed their first preference (Feb intake), a mid-year enrollment might give them another chance to commence their higher studies in Australia.
Smaller Class Size: Depending on the course, the enrollment in the July intake might be less than the February intake, potentially leading to smaller class sizes and more personalised attention from professors.
Popular Universities in Australia for July Intake
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 | Application Deadlines (July Intake 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | 13 | 31st March 2025 |
| University of Sydney | 18 | 15th May 2025 |
| University of New South Wales | 19 | 28th February 2025 |
| Australian National University | 30 | 30th May 2025 |
| Monash University | 37 | Depends on the courses |
| University of Queensland | 40 | 31st May 2025 |
| University of Western Australia | 77 | 26th July 2025 |
| University of Adelaide | 82 | 01st May 2025 |
| University of Technology Sydney | 88 | 30th April 2025 |
| RMIT University | 123 | TBA |
Popular Courses Offered in July Intake
The following are some of the most popular courses available during the July intake at Australian universities.
- Accounting & Finance
- Architecture & Built Environment
- Business & Management
- Communication & Media
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
November Intake in Australia
- The November intake in Australia is also known as semester 3, which is the least popular for pursuing regular degree programs.Â
- The application process starts around June and concludes in September-October, depending on the university and courses.
Features of November Intake in Australia
Less Competition: Depending on the courses and universities, fewer students apply for this intake because the options are very limited. It can increase your chances of acceptance into the desired program.
Availability of Short-Term Courses: The November intake in Australia primarily offers vocational and short-term courses. Students enrolling in this intake can benefit from specialised programs to enhance skills in specific fields.
Availability of Bridge Courses: The November intake in Australia provides bridge or preparatory courses. These courses are ideal for students who may not meet direct entry requirements for certain programs, allowing them to build the necessary skills or academic foundation.Â
Popular Universities in Australia for November Intake
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 | Application Deadlines (February Intake 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| University of New South Wales | 19 | 15th June 2025 |
| Monash University | 37 | Depends on the courses |
| University of Technology Sydney | 88 | 30th August 2025 |
| RMIT University | 123 | TBA |
| Deakin University | 197 | TBA |
| La Trobe University | 217 | 21st June 2025 |
| Griffith University | 255 | TBA |
Popular Courses Offered in November Intake
The following are some of the most popular courses available during the November intake at Australian universities.
- Vocational Education & Training Courses (VET) such as diploma and certificate level programs in the study fields like
- Business ManagementÂ
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Foundation and Preparatory Courses
- Specialised Diploma Programs (Digital Marketing, Graphics Designing, Event Management, etc.)
- Professional Development Programs
Choosing the Right Intake to Study in Australia
The following factors should be considered while choosing a study intake in Australia.
Availability of Courses: Before selecting a particular intake to begin the study abroad journey in Australia, it is important to check whether your desired academic program or degree course is available in your chosen intake. It should be noted that not all courses are available in every intake.
Application Readiness: Determine when you are ready to submit your university application. If you are still in the process of arranging and gathering your documents or giving standardised tests, then you must target a later intake.
Academic Requirements: If your desired course requires you to complete the foundation or preparatory course to begin the main study program, then you can choose semester 3 or November intake to complete that assignment, saving your crucial time.
Personal Preferences: Your decision to choose a study intake can be influenced by various personal preferences, such as weather conditions, the degree type you wish to pursue, internship opportunities, etc.
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
The February and July intakes are the two main study intakes in Australia, which offer a wide range of academic programs, scholarships, and internship opportunities. There is also a third intake, the November intake, which is less common than the Feb and July intakes since it offers mostly short-term courses and diploma programs.
The choice between them may depend on the applicant’s preferences, course availability, and other factors such as academic requirements, application readiness, etc.
FAQs
How many study intakes are in Australia?
There are 3 study intakes in Australia, primarily February (semester 1) and July intake (semester 2). There is another intake (Nov intake or semester 3) in which some universities offer admission to a few selected regular study programs.
When should I apply for the July 2025 intake in Australia?
The application process for the July 2025 intake will last between February and May/June 2025, depending on the universities and courses.
What study intake is good for pursuing a master's in Australia?
The February and July intakes are ideal for pursuing master’s programs in Australia, as they offer various course options and scholarship opportunities.
Is November intake good for Australia?
November intake can be utilised to pursue short-term courses such as diplomas, higher diplomas, certificates, and preparatory programs to gain relevant academic and vocational skills.
When should I apply to study in Australia?
To study in Australia, you can apply for one of the following intakes, depending on the availability of your desired study program.
- You can apply for the February intake between September and November.
- For July intake, you can apply between February and May/June.
- For November intake, you can apply between June and September/October.
