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UK Universities Application Deadlines 2025

UK Universities Application Deadlines 2025

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Discover application deadlines for UK universities in 2025-26. Plan your study abroad journey with intake timelines, key dates, and expert tips for a seamless application process

GyanDhan
Arshi Khan
Updated on:  17 Jan 2025  | Reviewed By:  Aman  | 16.3K | 21  min read

UK universities have been traditionally among the top choices among Indian students as they are world-class universities, and there are common linkages in the education system of the UK and India. Every year universities in the UK receive a big pool of applications from Indian students for various courses. According to the British Council data, 4,86,000 Indian students were studying in UK universities in 2022, a 29% increase from 2021. Intakes in UK universities are flexible, providing students with three annual admission options: Fall intake, Winter intake, and Spring intake.

 

While universities in the UK are ready to welcome new students from around the world, the application process can be quite complex and overwhelming since you are required to keep track of various deadlines for applications, scholarships, entrance tests, and more.

 

In this blog, you will learn about the UK university application deadlines, providing a thorough overview of UK university admissions and its process.

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Admission Intakes in UK Universities

Universities in the UK have yearly seasonal intakes with opportunities for international students to enroll according to the availability of their chosen course. Three annual intakes are there in the UK, namely fall (September/October), Winter (January/February), and Spring (April/May).

September intake in UK universities:

The September intake is the primary intake with most university participation and courses open. Applicants have more scholarships and grants open in this session compared to the other two. September intake applications are open from December to July, hence students must apply before the application closing date.

January intake in UK universities:

January intake is the secondary intake for admission to UK universities. A smaller number of universities participated in this intake compared to the September intake. Applications are open from September to November.

May intake in UK universities:

May intake is not quite popular as not many universities participate in this session. Applications are open from October to November for the May intake.

Intake Application Period Courses Universities Offering

September (Fall)

December to July

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    MBA
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    Computer Science
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    Engineering
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    Medicine
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    Law
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    Arts

Most UK universities offer admission in this intake.

( e.g., University of Oxford, University of Manchester, University College London (UCL), University of Edinburgh)

January (Winter)

September to November

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    MBA
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    Accounting and Finance
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    Psychology
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    Data Science
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    Economics

Select universities offer admission in this intake.

(e.g., Coventry University, Queen Mary University of London, University of Chester, Bangor University)

May (Spring)

October to November 

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    Hospitality and Tourism Management
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    Business-related diplomas
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    Design and Creative Arts
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    Short-term or vocational courses

Fewer universities offer admission in this intake.

(e.g., Northumbria University, University of Greenwich, University of South Wales, Ulster University)

 

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Top UK Universities and their Deadlines

The UK university application deadlines for some popular names are given below:

University Name Application Deadline

University of Oxford

16 October 2024

University of Cambridge

16 October 2024

University of Leeds 

29 January 2025 (All other undergraduate courses)

Imperial College London

16 October 2024 (Medicine and Dentistry); 29 January 2025 (Other courses)

University College London (UCL)

16 October 2024 (Medicine and Dentistry); 29 January 2025 (Other undergraduate courses)

King's College London

29 January 2025 (Standard undergraduate courses)

University of Edinburgh

15 October 2024 for Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

29 January 2025 (All courses through UCAS)

University of Birmingham

29 January 2025 (All undergraduate courses)

University of Manchester

29 January 2025 (UCAS deadline for most undergraduate courses)

 

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Application Deadlines and Timeline for September Intake 2025

Learning UK university deadlines for September intake must be your first priority as the September intake has the most applications every year. Almost all universities in the UK accept applications in the September session. Students must try to stick to the fall 2025 application deadline to get admission in the course of application. The below table will provide you with the timeline for the fall 2025 application deadline.

Month  Step  Action

December 

Research Universities and Courses

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    Start by looking for the preferred university and courses.
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     Check for eligibility criteria, tuition fees, scholarships, etc.

December - January 

Appear for the Standardized Tests

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    Register and appear for required tests like TOEFL/IELTS/PTE.

January - February

Collect Important Documents including LOR and other important Transcripts

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    Request Letter of Recommendation (LOR) 
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    Start writing your statement of Purpose (SOP)

March

Apply for the selected course in the preferred university

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    Fill out the application and attach all the important documents.
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    Pay the application fee.

March 

Wait for the Offer Letter from the university of application

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    Prepare for the interview, and collect other important documents.

April

Receive your Letter of Acceptance

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    Accept the offer and pay the university fee.
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    Prepare the documents required to apply for the visa.
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    Arrange the required funds to reflect in the account.

April - May 

Apply for the Visa

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    Submit your UK student visa application.

May - June 

Start preparing to fly for the course of the study

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    Make necessary arrangements like accommodation and other related things.

August

Book your tickets and fly to the UK

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    Arrive at your place of stay and settle down.

September 

Start University

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    Arrive on campus, attend orientation programs, and begin classes.
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Application Deadlines and Timeline for January Intake 2025

The January intake is suitable for students who missed the September intake or need more time to prepare. Deadlines vary by institution and course. It's advisable to check specific university websites for exact dates, as some may have deadlines as early as September 2024.

Month  Step  Action

June

Research Universities and Courses

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    Start by looking for the preferred university and courses.
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     Check for eligibility criteria, tuition fees, scholarships, etc.

June 

Appear for the Standardized Tests

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    Register and appear for required tests like TOEFL/IELTS/PTE.

June - July

Collect Important Documents including LOR and other important Transcripts

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    Request Letter of Recommendation (LOR) 
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    Start writing your statement of Purpose (SOP)

August

Apply for the selected course in the preferred university

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    Fill out the application and attach all the important documents.
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    Pay the application fee.

August - September

Wait for the Offer Letter from the university of application

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    Prepare for the interview, and collect other important documents.

September

Receive your Letter of Acceptance

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    Accept the offer and pay the university fee.
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    Prepare the documents required to apply for the visa.
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    Arrange the required funds to reflect in the account.

September

Apply for the Visa

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    Submit your UK student visa application.

November - December 

Start preparing to fly for the course of the study

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    Make necessary arrangements like accommodation and other related things.

December 

Book your tickets and fly to the UK

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    Arrive at your place of stay and settle down.

January 

Start University

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    Arrive on campus, attend orientation programs, and begin classes.

 

Scholarships

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Application Deadlines and Timeline for May Intake 2025 

The April-May intake in UK universities is less common and primarily available for specific courses. Application deadlines generally fall between October and February. Prospective students should consult individual university admissions pages for precise information. 

Month  Step  Action

August

Research Universities and Courses

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    Start by looking for the preferred university and courses.
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     Check for eligibility criteria, tuition fees, scholarships, etc.

August - September

Appear for the Standardized Tests

  • list items
    Register and appear for required tests like TOEFL/IELTS/PTE.

September - October

Collect Important Documents including LOR and other important Transcripts

  • list items
    Request Letter of Recommendation (LOR) 
  • list items
    Start writing your statement of Purpose (SOP)

October

Apply for the selected course in the preferred university

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    Fill out the application and attach all the important documents.
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    Pay the application fee.

October

Wait for the Offer Letter from the university of application

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    Prepare for the interview, and collect other important documents.

November

Receive your Letter of Acceptance

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    Accept the offer and pay the university fee.
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    Prepare the documents required to apply for the visa.
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    Arrange the required funds to reflect in the account.

November - December

Apply for the Visa

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    Submit your UK student visa application.

December - January

Start preparing to fly for the course of the study

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    Make necessary arrangements like accommodation and other related things.

April

Book your tickets and fly to the UK

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    Arrive at your place of stay and settle down.

May

Start University

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    Arrive on campus, attend orientation programs, and begin classes.
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What are Early Decision Deadlines for the UK?

The deadline for applications to the top UK universities for most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science is October 16. However, students are advised to check for their specific course and university to avoid any delays in their application procedure.

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The Regular Decision Deadlines for UK University

The UK university admission for international students and domestic students for the majority of undergraduate courses generally falls in January, which is 29th January 2025 for the academic session of 2025-26. Applications submitted by this date receive equal consideration.

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Does the UK Provide Rolling Admission Deadlines?

Some UK universities may accept applications on a rolling basis until courses are full. However, it's advisable to apply by the main deadlines to ensure availability and equal consideration.

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International Students and Deadlines

International students are required to take care of additional requirements and must regularly check the university website for timelines to avoid any delays in the application process.

 

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    International students need a student visa to study in the UK. You can apply for your student visa up to six months before your course starts.
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    If you do not hold UK citizenship then you are required to provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid

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    Students often miss out on important deadlines which can lead to loss of opportunities for admissions or scholarships. Hence, students are required to regularly visit the official website of the university to avoid delays and must submit their applications early to avoid system crashes or incomplete submissions.
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    Students fail to upload the necessary documents, leading to further delays or rejection. Students are required to create a checklist and must carefully examine the document requirements.
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    Late submission of applications can lower the quality of your application. Always submit applications weeks before the deadline to avoid last-minute stress.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for multiple intakes in the same academic year?
 

Yes, you can apply for multiple intakes. However, you must check the university-specific requirements. Moreover, not all programs are offered in all the intakes.

Do postgraduate courses have the same deadlines?
 

The masters application deadline UK differs and generally varies with the course and university. Thus, you are required to research well about the desired course and their deaqdlines on the official websites.

Do application deadlines differ by course or university?
 

Yes, deadlines often differ based on the course, level of study (undergraduate or postgraduate), and the university. 

What happens if I miss the deadlines?
 

If you miss out on the deadline that translates into waiting for the next intake. However, some universities accept late applications depending on the availability of the seat. Hence, it is o contact the admissions office immediately if you're close to the deadline.

Are deadlines different for international students?
 

Generally, UK university admission for international students does have different deadlines to allow enough time for visa processing and other formalities.

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