UK Intakes: September vs January vs May for Nepali Students

For Nepali students planning to study in the UK, choosing a university and course is only part of the decision. Another important question is when to start.

September is the traditional and most common university intake in the UK, but it is not the only option. Some universities also offer courses starting in January, while selected programmes may have a May or another alternative start date. So which UK intake is better for a student from Nepal: September, January or May?

There is no single answer for everyone. Your best intake depends on your preferred course, the universities offering it, how prepared you are with your academic and financial documents, and how much time you need for the admission and visa process. This guide compares the three options to help you make a more informed decision.

An intake simply refers to the period when a new group of students begins a course. UCAS describes September/October as the more typical start period for UK university courses, and notes that a smaller number of courses have start dates between January and July. This is why you will generally find considerably more choice at the main autumn entry, while alternative intakes depend more heavily on the individual university and course.

The three intake periods Nepali students are most likely to come across are:

Importantly, these are not fixed nationwide admission periods. Each university determines the start dates available for its courses.

September and October are the standard starting months for most UK higher education courses, and UCAS itself refers to September/October as the more typical course start period. For a Nepali student who has a specific university or subject in mind, September will usually be the first intake worth exploring.

Advantages of the September intake

• More course choices. Since September is the traditional academic-year start, students have access to a much wider range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. This can be particularly important if you are looking for a specialised subject rather than choosing a course based on which intake is available.
• Better suited to undergraduate applicants. Most undergraduate applications are organised around the main UCAS admission cycle.

For 2027 entry, for example, completed applications can start being submitted to UCAS from 1 September 2026. The equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses is 13 January 2027. Oxford and Cambridge, as well as most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses, have an earlier 15 October 2026 deadline (see UCAS dates and deadlines). International applicants may still be accepted by some universities later in the year if places remain, but UCAS recommends checking directly with the university rather than assuming a course will remain open.

Who should consider September?

• You want the widest possible choice of universities and courses.
• You are applying for a bachelor’s degree through the regular UCAS cycle.
• Your preferred programme is only offered once per academic year.
• You have enough time to prepare your academic, English-language and financial documents before the course begins.

Missing September does not automatically mean waiting another full year. A number of UK universities offer January entry, although the courses available can be more limited than in September. UCAS specifically notes that some courses start between January and July, and advises applicants to check individual course listings and deadlines.

There are clear examples of January entry on official university websites. The University of Portsmouth currently lists undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research options starting in January 2027. The University of Greenwich also has a dedicated January intake across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, while making clear that not every course is available for January entry.

Advantages of the January intake

• You do not necessarily need to wait until September. If you were unable to complete your application for the previous September intake, a suitable January course could let you begin several months earlier than the next autumn intake.
• More preparation time. January can suit students who need extra time after finishing their studies in Nepal to receive final academic documents, prepare an English-language test, research universities, arrange finances or fulfil offer conditions.

However, having extra time should not be confused with January admission being “easier”. Entry requirements are determined by individual universities and courses.

Who should consider January?

• You missed September but do not want to wait another year.
• Your preferred course genuinely offers a January start.
• You need a few extra months to prepare.
• You have checked the university’s specific international application and CAS deadlines.

May entry is another option, but students need to be particularly careful when researching it. Unlike September, May is not a standard start date across UK universities — UCAS notes that only a limited number of courses start between January and July compared with the more typical autumn start.

That does not mean May intake is unavailable. Coventry University, for example, officially promotes May starts for many of its postgraduate courses and advises international applicants to apply early because additional time may be required for the visa process. The University of Portsmouth’s 2026/27 academic calendar also includes a specific May 2027 start period for relevant courses. These examples show why May intake should be treated as a course-specific option rather than a UK-wide intake available everywhere.

Advantages of the May intake

• You missed both September and January.
• A suitable programme at your preferred university has a May start.
• Waiting until the following September would unnecessarily delay your study plans.

Which intake would we generally recommend? For most students still at the planning stage, September should normally be explored first because it provides the broadest choice. January can be an excellent alternative when the right course is available and you need more preparation time or have missed September. May is worth considering when a suitable university specifically offers your chosen programme at that time — it should not be chosen simply because it is the next intake available. The right course at the right university is usually more important than an intake that starts sooner.

There is no separate “September Student visa”, “January Student visa” or “May Student visa”. Students studying eligible courses normally apply through the same UK Student visa route, regardless of the month the course starts.

According to GOV.UK Student visa, an applicant must, among other requirements, have an offer from a licensed student sponsor, meet the relevant financial requirements and meet the applicable English-language requirement. For applicants applying from outside the UK, a Student visa application can be submitted up to six months before the course begins, and GOV.UK states that a decision will usually be received within three weeks, though processing can take longer in some circumstances.

Your university will normally issue your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) after you have met its conditions for sponsorship. A Student visa application cannot be made without the required CAS. Early preparation is therefore important regardless of your intake.

Most Nepali students planning a full UK degree will also need to consider the UK’s tuberculosis testing requirement. GOV.UK requires a TB test when a person is coming to the UK for six months or longer and has lived for six months or more in a listed country within the relevant period. GOV.UK provides a dedicated page for approved TB testing facilities in Nepal (GOV.UK TB testing in Nepal), and states that the test must be conducted through a Home Office-approved International Organisation for Migration (IOM) clinic. Include TB testing in your visa timeline rather than leaving it until the final stage.

Financial evidence also needs to meet UKVI requirements. Current requirements for tuition fees, maintenance funds and the period for which money must be held should always be checked directly on GOV.UK before submitting the visa application, as immigration rules and figures can change.

There is no universal application deadline covering every university and intake. For undergraduate applications, follow the relevant UCAS dates as well as any course-specific deadlines. For postgraduate courses, UCAS states that students generally apply directly to the university or course provider, so deadlines can differ significantly between institutions.

As a practical approach, start researching several months before your intended intake. This gives you time to:

• Shortlist the right course and university.
• Check academic and English-language requirements.
• Prepare and submit the application.
• Meet any conditions attached to the offer.
• Arrange tuition deposits or other university requirements.
• Prepare financial documents.
• Complete your TB test where required.
• Receive your CAS.
• Submit your Student visa application.
• Arrange travel and accommodation after the visa decision.

Do not assume that an advertised intake means applications will remain open until the course begins. Universities may have separate deadlines for international applicants, deposits, CAS requests and enrolment.

For Nepali students, the choice between the September, January and May intakes should begin with the course rather than the calendar. As Nepal’s first AIRC-certified and ICEF-screened education consultancy, Edwise Foundation has guided students to the UK since 2005 — helping you shortlist the right course and university, then plan the application, CAS, finances, TB test and UK student visa process backwards from your chosen intake. With a 96% acceptance rate and 7,000+ students placed, our team helps you avoid choosing a start date just because it is sooner. For the full picture of studying in the UK, requirements and intakes, see our complete guide to study in the UK from Nepal.

• GOV.UK — Student visa: Overview
• GOV.UK — Student visa: Money you need
• GOV.UK — Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants
• GOV.UK — Tuberculosis testing in Nepal
• UCAS — Dates and deadlines for uni applications
• UCAS — Applying as an international student
• University of Portsmouth — Courses starting in January
• University of Greenwich — January intake
• Coventry University — Master’s starting in May

Factual information verified using official UK Government, UCAS and UK university sources. Information checked August 2026. Always confirm the latest intake dates, entry requirements and visa rules on the official university, UCAS and GOV.UK websites before applying.