September Intake in the UK for 2024

Knowing the ins and outs of intakes is essential when you plan to study in the UK. Sticking to a timeline that sets you up for success is much harder without a solid idea of intakes. Many - if not most - international students are aiming to apply for the September intake in the UK for 2024!

The September intake also goes by the Autumn intake. One of the reasons behind its popularity is the fact that the largest number of universities have the greatest number of programs available for this intake! Alongside this, students get other benefits, all of which you’ll learn about in this guide by UniSearch's experts.

What is the September Intake in the UK?

September intake indicates the start of an academic year in the UK. It is the primary intake in the UK, beginning in early September or late August and ending in December or early January. Under this intake, most UK universities offer a large number of industry-forward courses and allocate numerous seats for both domestic and international students.

Many students who want to study in the UK apply for admission when the September intake commences. You can aim at applying for admission during this intake if you're going to apply to several UK universities to receive a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) for your Student visa.

How Many Intakes Are There in the UK?

The UK offers two significant intakes: January/February and September. Some UK universities offer the April/May intake alongside these two intakes. Below, you can find a detailed insight into these intakes.

September Intake in the UK 2024 (Autumn)

September intake, aka the Autumn intake, begins in September and runs through December or early January. The application deadline for September 2024 intake in the UK is between February and May. However, the application deadline can vary from institution to institution.

January Intake in the UK 2024 (Winter)

The January intake, also known as the Winter intake, commences in January and ends in April. The deadline for submitting an admission application remains between June and September.

May Intake in the UK 2024 (Summer)

The May intake, known as the Summer intake, begins in May and runs through August. It's an optional intake that many UK universities don't offer. Short programs, English language courses and pre-university preparatory programs are common during the Summer intake.

The application deadline for this intake remains between January and February - meaning you must apply for admission within this period if you aim to get into a UK university through the Summer intake.

Why Choose September Intake in the UK?

Many international students choose the September intake over other options for a couple of reasons. Below, we will outline those reasons to help you understand and decide whether the UK’s most popular intake is the right one for you.

• Nearly all UK educational institutes accept admission applications for the September intake.You can apply for admission to several different universities in the UK for this intake. 

• You can access the maximum number of scholarships, financial aid, and bursaries during the September intake. 

• The maximum number of study programs are available when the September intake begins.

• Students planning to apply for admission during this intake get plenty of time for researching courses, preparing for temporarily relocating to the UK, and completing other steps related to studying in the UK. 

• Students wrapping up high school or a bachelor’s degree in spring, who don’t wish to wait before the next step in their academic journey, prefer aiming for the September intake

These are among the prime reasons motivating international students to apply for admission to several top-class UK universities when the September intake begins. There can be plenty of other reasons too, like preferring to start classes when the weather is still pleasant rather than bitingly cold in the winter. An extreme climate difference can be a bit of a shock if you’re from parts of the world like Bangladesh where you’re not used to chilly, snowy winters.

When to Apply for the September Intake in the UK?

Although the fall intake starts in late August or early September, we recommend you begin preparing for admission to a couple of world-class UK universities up to a year before the intake begins. 

For instance, if you want to attend a university for the Autumn semester of 2024, you should start preparation in April or May of 2023. Following this rule will give you plenty of time since the application process can take two to five months. 

You will have enough time to shortlist your preferred universities and courses, take English Language Proficiency tests, manage finances, assess and send documents, work on your personal statement, and complete any other tasks related to your university admission.

Deadline for the September Intake in UK

Overseas students must submit their applications for the September intake in the UK 2024 before the deadline approaches. Otherwise, all your hard work will end in vain and you will have to wait for the next intake to get admission to your chosen UK universities. 

We recommend you apply at least three months before your chosen study program starts to avoid such a hassle. The best way to keep ahead is to be aware of the application deadlines each university sets. You might be able to apply right up until the deadline date, but last-minute application can lose you the shot at your seat. So, prepare ahead and apply as early as you can.

Let’s look at the deadlines to apply for the September intake in the UK. Before proceeding further, we want you to know that UK universities and programs have varying deadlines. However, the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) has a fixed deadline for international students which you can see in the table below. 

All universities accept undergraduate applications through UCAS. This platform lets you apply to up to 5 programs at the same time with one application. Nonetheless, many universities also accept direct applications, so it’s a matter of preference and convenience which platform you use.

Entry Criteria in the UK Universities for September Intake

The UK hosts some of the best-in-class universities known for their academic excellence. Most of these educational institutes have a high graduate employability rate and flexible entry requirements. Entry requirements for most programs will tend to ask for:

• All academic transcripts and certificates

• A valid passport

• Proof of English Language Proficiency

• Minimum GPA entry requirement for undergraduate and graduate courses

• Letter of recommendation(s)

• A portfolio/Research paper

• Letter of intent/Personal statement

• CV/Resume

• Proof of work experience (if applicable)

• Proof of finances

The entry requirement is dynamic and changes depending on which university and course you choose to begin your journey of studying in the UK.

List of UK Universities Offering Undergraduate Admissions for the September Intake

Practically every UK university accepts undergrad applications during the September intake. Below we shortlist some top picks for you to consider that offer excellent value for the cost of your education.

List of UK Universities Offering Graduate Admissions for the September Intake

Here are a couple more world-class UK universities offering exceptional master's programs in September intake.

Steps to Follow to Apply for the September Intake in the UK

Here are some steps you must follow while applying for the September intake in the UK. 

Step 1: Research the course you want to study and shortlist your chosen universities. You should begin this process between January and February of the prior year. Also, ensure you check specific entry requirements for particular courses and universities.

Step 2: After finalizing the course and shortlisting universities, you should start taking exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, and others, depending on the study program you want to undertake and its requirements. We recommend you complete taking exams between March and April. Now is also a good time to work on your personal statement and start talking to lecturers and employers about reference letters.

Step 3: It is time to register and start sending out applications. You can do this through UCAS as an undergraduate applicant if you are planning to apply to multiple universities. You can also apply directly to many universities! While creating an account for admission applications, you must provide your personal and academic details. Also, upload essential documents like your transcripts, certificates, personal statements, letters of recommendation, CV, etc. 

Step 4: Now, you have a UCAS or university application account, you can start applying to your chosen universities once you’re confident you meet all eligibility criteria. Submit admission applications before the deadline for the September intake of your chosen universities. 

Step 5: You will start receiving conditional and unconditional offer letters. Conditional offer letters ask you to fulfill one or more requirements to guarantee your seat. This could be completing your current qualification with a certain GPA or sitting for an English proficiency test. An unconditional offer letter guarantees your seat in your chosen program! Once you choose which university you want to study in, follow the university’s instructions to accept the offer. 

Step 6: Finally, you need to apply for the Student route visa. Since the application process for a Student route visa can be quite complex, you must stay conscientious while applying for a study visa to pursue your degree in the UK. These are all the steps you must consider while applying for the September intake in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When to Start Applying for Fall 2024 UK?

Though the application deadline for the September intake is June, you can begin the admission application process up to one year before the deadline starts. You can begin the process in April of the previous year to avoid future hassles.

Which UK Intake is Better for International Students?

September, aka the Fall or Autumn intake, is the most popular out of all intakes. Students who choose this intake get the most options in courses and universities to choose from. Plus, they benefit from many scholarships and bursaries while applying for the September intake.

Is January 2023 Intake Available in the UK?

Indeed, the January intake is available in the UK. Students who miss or don't want to apply for the September intake choose January, also known as the Winter intake, to get into their preferred UK universities.

Is June Intake Available in the UK?

UK universities don't offer a June intake; instead, some institutions provide Summer intakes, which begin in April/May. You can choose this intake if you miss the Autumn or Winter ones.

Which Intake is Appropriate for Bangladeshi and Indian Students?

The September intake is appropriate for Bangladeshi and Indian students since many academic institutions in the UK offer tons of courses and scholarships during the autumn season. However, choosing this intake has a disadvantage too. Students need to face high competition and securing a seat at the best university gets quite challenging.

Our Concluding Thoughts

The September intake in the UK is crucial among all other available intakes students keep an eye on to get into their preferred universities. Most UK universities offer many career-focused courses, scholarships, and financial aid when this Autumn intake begins. That's why the competition of getting admission remains high at this time. To avoid heavy competition, start working on your applications early, shortlist universities you meet the eligibility criteria of, and apply well before the deadline.