Study in UK Universities for the January Intake - 2025
If you are looking into options to study in UK universities next year, now is the right time to start working on your application. While September is typically the UK’s largest intake, aiming for the January intake has some strong upsides, including the extra time to prepare yourself and the lower competition for seats.
It is necessary to know the ins and outs of the January 2025 intake before you decide to commit to your decision. Below, we run through the general steps you need to take as you decide on your intake and university and start applying.
Steps to Apply to UK Universities for January 2025
A smooth admissions process to study in the UK starts with a complete understanding of the timelines and steps you have ahead of you. Thorough research and timely applications are key to successful admissions. Your study abroad journey is going to look different from the next person’s, depending on your program, budget, where in the UK you are applying to study, etc. Nonetheless, the general roadmap to study in UK universities gives you a great idea of how to get going and stay on track.
Step 1: Research and Shortlisting
The first step is to find the university and course you want to enroll in. Research is the most important part of the process while applying to study abroad. It’s only with patience and thorough research that you can narrow down the ideal options that match your study goals, budget requirements, career aspirations, and more. You can explore a thorough list of university courses with GRADSearch, our very own course search engine!
Below is a breakdown of what to consider when looking into your options to study in UK universities:
| University | Shortlist the universities that best fit your goals and preferences |
| Course/Program | Select the course you want to enroll in |
| Minimum Eligibility Requirements | Understand the entry requirements of your target universities and programs and work towards meeting this. These include academic qualifications and other requirements, like English proficiency test scores. Remember, it’s better to dedicate your time towards applications with a stronger shot at success by meeting and exceeding minimum entry requirements |
| Tuition | Compare tuition ranges across your shortlist to narrow down options in your budget |
| Location | Consider how the university’s location impacts things like tuition, costs of living, transport, accommodation, etc. |
| Faculty | Research the faculty teaching at the university of your choice |
| Scholarships | Explore available scholarship opportunities at your target universities |
Step 2: English Proficiency and Other Tests
The next step is to take all the necessary tests for your application. A common requirement for overseas education applications is an English proficiency test. Since the language of learning in the UK is predominantly English, your English proficiency test scores indicate to admissions officers your ability to succeed in their programs. Both UK universities and the UKVI accept IELTS scores for student and visa applications. Typically, universities require:
| Level of Study | IELTS Score |
| Undergraduate level | 6.0 overall with 5.5 individually for each section |
| Postgraduate level | 6.5-7.0 overall with 6.0 individually for each section |
Universities also accept alternatives to the IELTS Academic, like TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic scores.
Depending on your program and university, you may need to sit for other tests too. These tests can include the GMAT or GRE General test for postgraduate applicants. Law applicants to specific universities may need to sit for the LNAT, while future students of medicine may need to complete the BMAT, UCAT, or GAMSAT.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
If you are applying to study abroad after 12th grade for a bachelor’s degree in the UK, you will be using the UCAS platform to submit applications. All UK universities accept applications through the UCAS platform – you can apply to up to five programs with one application! Postgraduate prospects generally apply directly to their respective universities, though some universities also accept postgraduate applications through UCAS.
Applications to UK universities typically consist of:
● Personal Identification
● Academic Transcripts
● English Proficiency Scores
● Other Test Scores (if necessary)
● Personal Statement
● Letters of Recommendation (LoRs)
● Intake and Program Details
You may also need to provide information about your extracurricular activities, work experience, etc.
Step 4: Accept an Offer and Receive Your CAS
Once your applications are in, you will start receiving responses, including offer letters. Conditional offers require you to fulfill certain conditions to confirm enrolment. This could be meeting language test requirements, if you applied without sitting for the IELTS, meeting score boundaries for your classes or programs, etc. An unconditional offer guarantees your spot to study in UK universities.
To move ahead with enrolment, you will need to get the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). This electronic record validates your enrolment and other details to immigration authorities as part of your student visa application.
Universities may hold pre-CAS interviews – similar to the credibility interviews for UK student visas - to determine whether you are a good fit for the program. Prep for these interviews as you would for the actual credibility interview, as you will need to clear it to get the CAS!
Step 5: Applying for a Visa
The last thing you need to do is apply for a student visa. After receiving the CAS, you are now eligible for a student visa in the UK. Gather all necessary documents and financials to apply and start your visa application through the official UK immigration website.
Deadlines to Apply for the January Intake 2025
The January intake is an excellent opportunity for students who missed the major September intake or require a bit more time to complete their application. Many UK universities accept applications for the January or winter intake. Although not as big as the Autumn intake, the Winter intake is still very popular. This is especially the case for postgraduate programs in the UK.
Universities accepting applications directly will set their own deadlines, as is usually the case for postgraduate applicants. Unlike the main September intake, UCAS does not provide a common deadline for January applications. Nonetheless, you can easily research the course you want to apply to and discover the university’s application deadlines for its secondary intakes.
Pros & Cons of the January Intake
The biggest intake in the UK occurs around September for the majority of programs and universities. There are, however, advantages and disadvantages to selecting the January intake.
Pros of the January Intake in UK Universities
● Flexibility: January enrollment students who missed the September admission can still apply to study in UK universities. This is especially helpful if you need more time to prepare for tests, collect your documentation, or retake classes or exams to get your grades where they need to be.
● Less Competition: There may be fewer applications for the January intake than for the September intake. This could mean less stiff competition for admission.
● Availability of Accommodation: You might have trouble finding accommodation in September since there’s high demand with many students coming in. By the winter intake, it might be a bit easier to score the student housing you prefer as some students will start to move out after the autumn semester.
Cons of the January Intake in UK Universities
● Less Program Availability: It's possible that some courses won't be available in January or will have fewer seats. You may also find less variety in your options for a study abroad scholarship for Indian students after 12th grade or for your master's degree.
● Harder Time Fitting In: It could be a little difficult for January arrivals to fit in at the university a semester after the start of the official academic year.
● Weather: January lands you in the UK in the middle of winter, which might be more difficult to adjust to right away than the beginning of autumn.
UK Universities Offering Courses for the January Intake
Now that we have run through the steps and timelines for the January intake, the next question is figuring out your options to study in UK universities. The UK is world-leading in higher education, with over 160 world-ranking universities. While we can’t cover everything in one blog post, we break down below some of our top picks.
University of Exeter
The University of Exeter ranks among the top 200 best universities in the world. It is also one of the UK’s prestigious Russell Group of universities!
You can start your postgraduate studies at the University of Exeter in January, completing the same Master’s programs you would be starting in September. The application deadline for postgraduate taught courses for the January intake is 30 August 2024. Some undergraduate courses are also available for the January intake and have a similar application deadline. Note that not every Master’s program is available for the Winter intake.
Winter intake programs at the University of Exeter include:
Undergraduate
● Civil Engineering with International Foundation - BEng
● Engineering and Management with International Foundation - BEng
● Electronic Engineering with International Foundation - BEng
Postgraduate
● Business Analytics - MSc
● Business and Management - MSc
● International Business and Strategy - MSc
● Engineering Business Management - MSc
● International Supply Chain Management - MSc
Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University is a QS 5-Star university and a five-time pick for the UK’s University of the Year. In 2023, it landed in the top 10 for best universities for work experience!
Nottingham Trent University is offering a number of postgraduate courses for their January 2025 intake. These courses span several fields including business, technology, and science. These are the same programs you would be studying if you enrolled in September, so you’re not missing out!
Winter intake programs at Nottingham Trent University include:
Postgraduate
● Finance - MSc
● Management - MSc
● Cyber Security - MSc
● Medical Engineering - MSc
● Event Management - MA
● Sound Engineering and Audio Production - MSc
● Nursing Adult - MSc
● Molecular Cell Biology - MSc
● Molecular Microbiology - MSc
● Neuropharmacology - MSc
University of Lincoln
The University of Lincoln is a Triple Gold rating holder under the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. As of January 2024, the university is offering a range of its postgraduate programs full-time with a January intake! Keep an eye out for the application deadlines for the January 2025 session.
Winter intake programs at the University of Lincoln include:
Postgraduate
● Construction Science and Management - MSc
● Interior Architecture and Design - MA
● MA Media and Communications - MA
● Digital Marketing - MSc
● Accounting and Finance - MSc
● Marketing - MSc
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is one of the top 20 universities in the UK for international students – and among the top 30 worldwide! You can apply for the semester starting in January at the University of Westminster through its dedicated application portal. The deadline to apply for the January semester is October 15th, 2024.
Winter intake programs at the University of Westminster include:
Postgraduate
● Air Transport Planning and Management - MSc
● Art and Visual Culture - MA
● Corporate Finance Law - LLM
● Cultural and Critical Studies - MA
● Energy and Environmental Change - MA
● English Language and Linguistics - MA
Rounding Up
If you are looking into your options to study in UK universities in 2025, now is the right time to start working on those applications. January intakes are a great option for students who missed the September intake or need a little more time to prep their applications. Whatever the case, many UK universities offer several of the same programs for both intakes. Rather than holding up your study abroad plans by a year, have a look at starting sooner by exploring your January intake options!
