The UK is one of the top destinations for international students seeking high-quality education abroad. The September intake is the most popular among the different intake periods, attracting over 80% of international students each year. This intake aligns with the start of an academic year and offers international students a broad range of courses and scholarship benefits. It also provides other benefits like better facilities, housing, and various courses.
Additionally, the September intake aligns with job recruitment cycles, internship opportunities, and campus activities, giving students time to develop networks and gain valuable skills throughout their studies. The September intake also aligns with the global academic calendars, making the transition from high school to undergraduate programs seamless.
Here, we will explain in detail everything you need to know about the UK September 2025 intake. This guide will cover the September intake, its benefits, and the step-by-step application and admission timeline. We will also discuss key deadlines, essential documents, top universities and courses, and scholarships available for international students.
Table of Contents
What Is the September Intake in UK Universities?
An intake is when universities take admission for their undergraduate and postgraduate courses. There are usually three intakes in any UK university: the January or Winter intake, the May or Spring intake, and the September or Fall intake. The September intake is generally the most popular, as almost 80% of the international students choose it.
The admission period during the fall or autumn is considered the September intake. This is the most popular intake period to enroll in UK universities. Academic years at UK universities begin at this time as well. Students can apply for the January or May intake if they miss the September intake period.
Why Is the September Intake So Special for International Students?
There are numerous benefits of choosing the September intake for international students while applying to any UK university. These include course availability, scholarship opportunity, academic alignment, better housing, networking opportunity, etc. These are described in detail below.
Course Availability
The September intake marks the beginning of the academic year for all UK universities. The intake offers the largest selection of courses, programs, and degrees. For international students, this intake offers numerous courses from which they can pick and choose their favorite. Other intakes might not allow selecting many courses as seats fill up with time. The courses are always available during the September intake because this intake is the first admission period.
Scholarship Opportunities
September intake offers more scholarship opportunities because it is the starting period of the academic year. The universities usually reserve the best scholarship options for international students for the September intake. Universities offer scholarships like the GREAT Scholarship, Commonwealth Scholarship, and Chevening Scholarships to international students during the September intake. This reduces international students’ tuition fees, making their journey abroad cheaper and more manageable. The chances of getting scholarships approved are generally the highest during the September Intake.
Academic Alignment
One of the most significant advantages of the September intake is that it perfectly aligns with the global academic calendar. This ensures students seamlessly transition from high school to the undergrad programs. The September intake also perfectly aligns with the timing of exams, graduation, and job opportunities, offering students a smooth academic experience.
Better Housing and Facilities
Another benefit of the September intake is that since the universities operate at full capacity, students get better access to housing, libraries, labs, and other student facilities. It is easier for students to get affordable housing, significantly reducing their overall costs. The September intake also provides the students with better resources, campus orientations, and student services.
Career Opportunities
The September intake also aligns with the recruitment timeline for many internships, part-time jobs, and graduate programs. International students can join the workforce more quickly if they enroll during the September intake. Students also get enough time to build skills, network, and prepare for starting a job when they get admitted in the September intake.
Preparation time
International students get ample preparation time when they apply for the September intake because they get enough time to process the visa, sit for various tests, and gather necessary documents. The September intake gives students enough time to avoid any last-minute delays as they apply early.
UK September Intake Step-By-Step Application and Admission Timeline 2025
The entire application and admission process is detailed below with step-by-step instructions.
August-October 2024
All students should start research and planning in August-October 2024 to get their application accepted for the September intake. Around this time, students should conduct thorough research about different programs and universities. Another important task for all students at this time is searching for scholarship opportunities. Students should also go through the university web pages to learn about application requirements such as transcripts, test scores, essays, etc.
November-December 2024
The second step of the application process is registering and taking the required tests, such as IELTS and TOEFL. Take time to prepare for these tests, and the results will influence your application success rate. Students should retake tests to improve scores if it is necessary to do so.
January 2025
Students must request and obtain various application materials and transcripts around this time—request official transcripts from your previous and current institutions. Students should also contact their professors for recommendation letters. Another essential step to take at this time is outlining essays for application.
February 2025
The next step of the application process is financial planning and scholarship applications. Conduct thorough research about all available scholarships from institutions and organizations. Students should also prepare financial documents such as bank statements for visa applications.
March 2025
Students must draft and prepare all the application materials during this time for the September intake. The most critical tasks in this step include gathering transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation. Students should also start working on their essays, such as personal statements and program-specific essays. Do not forget to proofread and edit the applications to avoid any issues.
April-May 2025
Students need to finalize the applications and submit them for evaluation. The most important tasks in this step are reviewing university deadlines, prioritizing applications, double-checking all applications, submitting applications through the UCAS portal, and paying any required application fees.
June-July 2025
The acceptance or rejection letters will start to come around this time of the year. Students must monitor all the application statuses and respond promptly to interview requests. Another important task is to research common interview questions and practice responses. You may also need to prepare additional documents requested by universities during the application review process.
August 2025
This step of the application process includes reviewing choices and finalizing them. Students need to analyze the financial packages, scholarships, and grants if they are available to compare the different options. Students must accept their offers and submit a deposit to the chosen university by the deadline.
September 2025
The last steps of the process are applying for a student visa, securing housing arrangements, completing any pre-enrollment requirements, packing for departure, and preparing for arrival in the UK.
When Should You Apply for the September 2025 Intake?
Students should apply between October 2024 and January 2025 for the September 2025 intake. UCAS undergraduate deadline for most courses is January 31, 2025. Postgraduate deadlines usually vary based on university and courses, but you must apply at least a few months before the intake.
Application and Admission Deadlines for September 2025 Intake
International students must carefully plan and apply for UK universities keeping the deadlines in mind. There are separate deadlines for application and admission and the time can also vary slightly based on the university. Start the application process at least 3 months early to have enough time for visa processing and other important tasks.
Application and admission deadlines vary based on university and courses for Master’s degree in the UK. Unlike the undergraduate courses, postgraduate courses do not have a common deadline for application or admission so you have to check for the particular university and course of your choice on related web pages.
Here is a chart detailing the application and admission deadlines for September 2025 intake.
| Type of course | Application deadline | Admission Deadline |
| UCAS Undergraduate (Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science) | 15 October 2024 | End of March 2025 |
| UCAS Undergraduate (most courses) | 31 January 2025 | Early May 2025 |
| Postgraduate | Varies depending on university | Wi4-8 weeks after application |
Essential Documents for September 2025 Intake
Students must collect all the necessary documents before successfully applying to UK universities. Although the certificates and documents you require vary based on the university and the courses, the standard documents needed for the September 2025 intake are listed below.
- Academic Transcripts
- Personal Statements
- Recommendation Letters
- Standardized Test Results (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Updated CV/Resume
- Bank Statement
- Portfolio (in relevant courses)
- Passport copy
- Statement of Purpose
- Research Proposal (for research based degrees)
Top Universities for the September 2025 Intake
Some of the top universities for the September 2025 intake are listed below.
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- London School of Economics
- University College London
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Manchester
- King’s College London
- University of Bristol
- University of Warwick
Top Courses for the September 2025 Intake
Some of the top courses for the September 2025 intake are Law, Medicine, Philosophy, Political Science, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Computer Science, Business, Accounting & Finance, International Relations, Nursing, History, Architecture, and Petroleum Engineering.
Scholarships for the September 2025 Intake in the UK
There are many different scholarships offered by various organizations and universities for the September 2025 intake in the UK. These are listed below.
- Chevening Scholarship
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship
- Simmons University Kotzen Scholarship
- Imperial College London PhD Scholarship
- Commonwealth Scholarship
- GREAT Scholarship
- University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship
- University of Anglia Scholarship
- Rotary Peace Fellowship
- Goldsmiths International Response Scholarship
- Dundee Global Excellence Scholarship
- Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence Scholarship
- Global Leaders Scholarship
- Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship
- Clarendon Scholarship
How Many Intakes Are There in September in the UK for International Students?
All of the Universities in the UK offer three intakes for international students. These are:
- September or Fall intake
- January or Winter intake
- May or Spring intake.
Some universities offer February intake although it is not very common among UK universities. The September intake is the biggest and most competitive and the January and May intakes provide alternative options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is September Intake Available in the UK?
Yes, September intake or the fall intake is available for international students. It is the most popular admission period in the UK as almost all UK universities offer courses that start in September. Keep an eye on the university webpages to learn about admission.
When to Apply for the September Intake?
International students should start applying three to four months before the September intake to get admitted during this period. Writing the application letters, making payments, and collecting all the necessary documents takes time. So, starting the process at least three to four months earlier is wise.
Which Intake Is Best for the UK?
The September intake is the best for international students studying at UK universities because the universities offer more courses and scholarships during this intake. The September intake also has other advantages, such as academic alignment, better career opportunities, and less overall cost.
What Is the September Intake?
The September or fall intake is when many universities worldwide, including the UK, USA, and Canada, begin their academic year and admit many new students. Other intake periods are January or Winter intake and May or Spring intake. September intake is always the largest of the three, as the universities admit 80% of the students during this session.
When Should I Start My Preparation for UK September Intake?
You should start your preparations at least 12 months in advance for the September intake in any UK university. The application process takes time as you must sit for exams like IELTS or GRE and collect all the necessary documents.
What if I Face Rejection in the University of My Choice?
Rejection is unfortunately quite common when applying to UK universities, especially the top-ranked ones. Always keep backup plans and apply to several universities to maximize your chances of admission to a UK university. Look for other universities and courses, or consider having a gap year to try again next year if you face rejection from the university of your choice.
What if I Miss the UK September Intake Deadline?
If you miss the September intake deadline for UK universities, you can apply for the January or May intake. Although other intakes do not admit as many students as the September intake, they are good options for international students who missed the opportunity.
How Much Will I Have to Spend on Tuition Fees in the UK?
An international student can expect to pay around £11,400 to £38,000 per year for undergraduate degrees and about £9,000 to £30,000 for postgraduate degrees. Tuition fees can vary from university to university and degree to degree.
What Is the Spring Intake in the UK?
The Spring intake starts around January or February, and classes begin in May. This intake is also known as the Summer or May intake. This is the least popular among students as most prefer to enjoy the spring break instead of getting admitted to a university.
Is September Intake Fall or Winter?
The September intake is considered as the Fall intake. The Winter intake starts in January, and the Fall intake starts in September.
What Is the UCAS Deadline for September 2025 Intake in the UK?
January 29th, 2025, is the UK’s UCAS deadline for the September 2025 intake. The final deadline for all undergraduate courses is June 30th, after which all applications are entered into clearing. The clearing starts on July 5th. Students can start their applications in the UCAS Hub from May 14th, 2025.
Can I Get Scholarships in the UK for September 2025 Intake?
Yes, you can apply for different types of scholarships, such as the GREAT Scholarships, the Chevening Scholarships, and the Commonwealth Scholarships in the UK for the September 2025 intake.
Conclusion
The September intake in the UK is the most popular choice for international students because of the broader selection of courses, increased scholarship opportunities, academic alignment, and improved access to housing and campus facilities. Students should prepare early and follow a structured application timeline to secure success. The September 2025 intake offers the perfect opportunity for international students to begin their academic journey in the UK successfully.