UK Intakes 2026: January, May, & September
for Bangladeshi Students

Popular Intakes in the UK

There are three popular intakes in the UK, such as September (fall), January (winter), and May (summer). The September intake is the most popular intake, and almost every course and scholarship is available through this intake. The January intake is a secondary option that offers fewer programs, and the May intake is a smaller, specialised intake with even more limited university and course options. 

September Intake in the UK

The UK September intake is also known as the Fall intake. September is the primary admission period for UK universities, marking the start of the main academic year.

The main reason for choosing the September intake in the UK is the wide range of available courses, scholarships and accommodations. However, to take admission through the September intake in the UK, you have to apply within the deadline. 

Why Choose September Intake in the UK?

Among the UK intakes, September is the most popular as the academic year begins in September in the UK. Let’s explore some advantages of the UK September intake. 

• Largest course availability: Almost all universities offer their full range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, giving students the most options.
• More scholarship and financial support: Since September is the main academic year, a larger number of scholarships and financial aid opportunities are available to coincide with this period.
• Increased internship and job prospects: Starting in September aligns with the recruitment timelines for many internships, part-time jobs, and graduate programs, offering more opportunities.
• Early graduation opportunity: Joining the September intake in the UK allows you to graduate at the start of the academic year. Graduating in September can align your graduation with the global job market.
• Vibrant campus atmosphere: You will join when most students start, leading to a lively, vibrant and engaging campus with many events and activities.
• Better access to resources: As the fall intake, facilities like libraries and labs are at full capacity and readily available, especially during the initial weeks. 
• More opportunities for social engagement: You can join clubs, societies, and networking events from the start of the academic year.

Disadvantages of September Intake in the UK

Though the September intake is always the smart choice to study in the UK, it has some disadvantages too. Let’s explore the cons of the UK fall intake. 

• Most competitive intake for university and accommodation
• High demand requires preparing early
• Visa processing time may increase due to high volume
• The weather is cooling and damp at this time

September Intake Deadline in the UK 

The UK September intake deadline is June 30th, though specific deadlines vary by university and course. Some undergraduate courses have earlier deadlines, such as October 15th for Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary programs, and specific universities may have different dates for various parts of the application. It is essential to check the specific deadlines for your chosen course and university directly.

Popular Universities for September Intake in the UK

Popular universities for the September intake in the UK for Bangladeshi students include Ulster University, Northumbria University, Teesside University, the University of Cumbria, and Leeds Beckett University etc.

Other universities offering low tuition fees for international students include Staffordshire University, Birmingham City University, and the University of South Wales. Let’s explore the key facts of the top 5 affordable universities in the UK for the September intake. 

Available Courses in the UK for September Intake

Since September is the Fall intake in the UK, almost every course remains available through this intake. Let’s explore the available courses in the UK for the September intake. 

• Business Studies
• Biological & Life Sciences
• Art & Design
• Computing & IT
• Journalism
• Public Health
• Political & Social Sciences
• Law & Legal Studies
• Pharmacy
• Engineering
• Agriculture Sciences
• Language & Culture

Though every course remains available through the September intake in the UK, Bangladeshi students usually prefer to apply to some specific courses like Business Studies, Engineering and IT. 

Application Timeline for September Intake in the UK

Among the UK intakes, the September admission usually opens in September. However, a proper guideline is needed to avoid unnecessary delays in application and visa processing. Let’s explore the application timeline for the September intake in the UK. 

January Intake in the UK

The January or winter intake is a secondary admission window for UK universities that allows students to start their higher education in the new year. It offers some key advantages like less competition and extra time for preparation, though there are fewer course options, especially at the undergraduate level, compared to the main September intake.

Why Choose January Intake in the UK?

The UK January intake is the best option for those who have missed the September entry in the UK. However, the January intake in the UK also has some major benefits, such as

• More preparation time: You get some extra months to prepare for the English test scores, organise finances, and finalise other application documents.
• Less competition: With fewer applications than the September intake, you may have a higher chance of getting accepted into your desired program.
• Personalised attention: Smaller class sizes mean more individual support from course instructors and easier access to university resources.
• Flexible entry: It’s an excellent option if you missed the September intake deadline in the UK or want to change courses without waiting a full year.
• Easier accommodation: Securing on-campus or nearby housing is often less competitive for January intake students. 

Disadvantages of the UK January Intake

The main disadvantages of the UK January intake include limited course availability and potential difficulties with social integration since you’ll be joining a year group that has already started. 

Other drawbacks of the January intake in the UK include less scholarship availability compared to the September intake and facing colder weather conditions upon arrival.

January Intake Deadline in the UK for Bangladeshi Students

The January deadline in the UK for most Bangladeshi students is generally in October or November, though some universities may extend this to December. 

It is crucial to check specific university and course deadlines early, as popular programs book quickly, and some deadlines, like the October 15 deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, and medicine courses, have already passed.

Popular Universities for January Intake in the UK

Popular universities for January intake in the UK include the University of Hertfordshire, Bangor University, Middlesex University, and Brunel University etc. 

The other affordable universities for the UK January intake include Ulster University, Northumbria University, Ravensbourne University, University of Winchester, etc. 

Let’s explore the top 5 UK universities that Bangladeshi students prefer the most for the January intake.

Available Courses in the UK for January Intake

Since January is the secondary intake in the UK, many courses remain available through this intake. Let’s explore the available courses in the UK for the January intake. 

• Business Studies
• Computing & IT
• Public Health
• Political & Social Sciences
• Law & Legal Studies

Mostly Bangladeshi students apply for Business courses through the January intake. Some students also apply for the Computer & IT program. However, the Computer & IT program has very limited options in the January intake in the UK. 

Admission Timeline in the UK for January Intake

Among the UK intakes, the January admission usually opens in July. It is a very short admission period. However, a proper guideline is needed to avoid unnecessary delays in receiving the offer letter and visa processing. Let’s explore the application timeline for the January intake in the UK. 

May Intake in the UK

The May intake in the UK, also known as the summer intake, is a less common, “minor” intake period in the UK that offers a limited number of specialised undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It is a good option for students who missed the September or January intake deadlines or need more time to apply, as it typically has lower competition for seats and scholarships.

Why Choose the May Intake in the UK?

The key reasons for choosing the May intake in the UK offers advantages such as less competition, which can increase your chances of getting accepted, especially if you missed the September or January intakes. Let’s explore other benefits of applying through the May intake in the UK. 

• Less competition: The lower number of applications can increase your chances of acceptance for both courses and accommodation.
• Flexibility and faster start: It provides an opportunity to start your studies sooner if you missed earlier intakes, allowing you to get a head start on your academic year.
• Smaller class sizes: You may experience more personalised attention from teachers and a better faculty-to-student ratio.
• Potentially faster graduation: Starting in May can allow you to graduate earlier than those who start in the September intake.

Disadvantages of the UK May Intake

The main disadvantages of the UK May intake include limited course and university options, tighter application and visa deadlines, and potential difficulty securing accommodation.

May Intake Deadline in the UK

There is no single deadline for the May intake in the UK; deadlines vary by university, with some application deadlines being early (like March for some universities) and others being in April.

Popular Universities for the May Intake in the UK

Since May is a very short intake and not every university in the UK offers this intake, here are some popular universities for the May intake in the UK. 

Available Courses in the UK for May Intake

May intake in the UK offers very few course options for international students. Here are the available courses in the UK for the May intake. 

• MSc Artificial Intelligence
• MSc Big Data Technologies
• International business
• Project Management
• Digital marketing
• Computer science and AI

Admission Timeline for May Intake in the UK

The May admission usually opens in January. It is a very short admission period. Let’s explore the application timeline for the January intake in the UK.