United Kingdom

UPCOMING INTAKES IN THE UK

The academic year in the UK runs from September to July. Generally, UK Universities and Colleges have 3 intakes. Some of them might also refer to an intake as a term.

The 3 intakes available in the UK are:

Intake 1: Term 1 – It commences in September/October and is the major intake

Intake 2: Term 2 – It commences in January/February intake is also available

Intake 3: Term 3 – It commences in May/June and is available for selected Courses.

Step 1: decide on a university or college and course

Coming to study in the UK is your opportunity to gain the skills, outlook and confidence you need to fulfil your potential. To ensure you choose the course that is right for you and for what you want to achieve it is best to read as much as you can about the range of courses, colleges and universities available and compare them. It is also important to check the course entry requirements. You can do this using the course profiles on the institutions' websites. If you have any questions, you can contact the university directly, who will be very happy to help you find the information you need.

Step 2 : Register and apply

Postgraduate courses in the UK have their own specific entry requirements and application processes, so check the individual course websites for instructions on how to apply.

To register and apply for postgraduate courses, you will need to provide:

Your personal details including your qualifications.
A reference or contact details for a referee (someone, such as a lecturer or tutor, who can confirm your ability to do the course).
A personal statement – where you explain why you want to do this course – and the skills, life experiences and achievements that make you suitable.

Different postgraduate courses in the UK have different entry requirements, so check the individual course websites for instructions on how to apply.

Many postgraduate courses do not have a fixed application deadline, so you can apply as soon as you decide that you want to study on a UK course. However, it is always best to apply early to make sure you have the best chance of being accepted.

Step 3 : Accept your offer

Your university or college will contact you (usually via email) to tell you whether or not you have received an offer to study. If you applied via UCAS it's easy to track the status of your application at any time.

If you are accepted with an unconditional offer, then congratulations! You have a place and you can accept straightaway.

If you are accepted with a conditional offer, the place is yours as long as you meet a few extra requirements. This could be achieving certain exam grades or English language test scores.

For some courses you may be asked to come for an interview before you receive your offer, either on the phone or sometimes in person. Check the course information before you apply to find out whether this is required.

Step 4: Arrange funding

Now is the time to arrange funding. You may be eligible for one of the many scholarships available to help with the cost of your studies.

Step 5: Apply for visa

As an international student, you are likely to need a visa to take up your study place in the UK.

Step 6: Prepare for your stay

Once you have your offer and your visa, it's time to get packing! You can now begin to look at things like flights, accommodation and anything else you will need to help you make the most of your time in the UK