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May Intake in UK 2025: Universities, Courses, Requirements & More

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  • read time3 min Read
  • By:CANAM Group
  • Updated On:Oct 04,2024 04:13 PM IST

  • Fewer Students apply for the May intake, leading to less competition for seats.
  • The timeline for the May intake typically begins in August-September and ends in April-May. 
  • Several universities in the UK offers courses for the May intake, including Coventry University, University of West London , University of Bedfordshire etc. 

May Intake in UK.webp


Among all the popular study-abroad destinations, most international students prefer to study in the UK because of its esteemed institutes that offer education using advanced pedagogical methods. UK academic institutes accept admissions throughout the year based on the course and admission requirements. The three study intakes for admission are winter, summer and autumn, beginning in January, May and September, respectively. While most UK universities offer courses for the September intake, some also offer courses for the May intake. May intake generally suits candidates who missed applying for September or January intakes. Let's learn more about intakes in the UK especially May intake in 2025.

How Many Intakes are there in UK?

Universities and colleges in the UK accept admissions for three intakes, i.e. January/February, September and April/May. September is the most popular of all these intakes because it offers most course options. The availability and timing of all these intakes vary depending on the university or program of choice. Here's the list of acceptable intakes: 

IntakesAdmission Months
January/February IntakeJune and September
September IntakeFebruary and May
April/May IntakeJanuary – February (Applications may open by October-November)

Why Choose May Intake in the UK? 

May intake in the UK is one of the least popular intakes among international students because not many universities offer courses during this time. Students generally take spring break in May, which is why several universities avoid offering study options for this intake. But May intake in the UK makes up for the disadvantages, as it offer other better benefits that are hard to reap during January and September intake, such as:

Less CompetitionSince fewer students apply for the May intake, there's less competition for seats during the May intake in UK universities.
Better Placement OpportunitiesOne major benefit of applying for May intake in the UK is that students get fewer competitors during the placement season after graduation.
More Scholarships OptionsUsually, May intake universities in the UK offer scholarship opportunities specifically for students starting in May, which helps to lower the financial burden.
Opportunity to Avoid Missing an Academic YearStudents who couldn't apply for the January or September intake can avoid missing their academic year by applying for the May intake in the UK.

Timeline for UK Summer Intake 2025

Since May intake in the UK is a less popular intake for admission, the application deadline depends on the type of course and university a student chooses to apply for. Therefore, it is important for students to start the application process on time. Below is the detailed timeline for the May intake:

Note: The timeline mentioned above is for reference purposes only and primarily depends on the deadline of courses offered by different UK institutes.

ActivityTimeline
Start searching for the programs that best match one's interest and the UK's institutes that provide those programs.August – September
Prepare and appear in the tests required by the institute, such as English language tests or other standardized tests for application.September –October
Make a list of all the necessary documents and compile them before applying.October - November
Make an application to the preferred institute and submit the application.November – February
Wait for the response from the academic institute.February - March
Make a visa application.March – April
Book tickets to reach the UK before the commencement of the May intake.April - May

Note: The timeline mentioned above is for reference purposes only and primarily depends on the deadline of courses offered by different UK institutes.

Student Visa Process for May (Summer) Intake in UK

In order to apply for May intake, students need to start their planning a year in advance. So, to apply for the May intake next year, students need to start searching for programs in September. Therefore, It is important to start the preparation in advance to avoid missing application deadlines and apply to the desired universities in the UK for the May intake 2025 on time. Here's how students can go about the process:

  • Students must start matching their profiles and look for different institutes that offer their desired programs between August and September.
  • After finalising the course of choice, students need to prepare for course-specific requirements such as language proficiency tests or other standardized tests between September and October.
  • Apart from preparing and attempting course-specific tests, students must also gather all the documents required for application, which they should finish by the end of November.
  • After selecting the course, gathering the necessary documents, and attempting the required exams, students should begin the application process and apply to different institutes. This can be done between November and February.
  • Institutes generally take a month to respond to the application requests of international students. So, the next step is to wait for their response between February and March.
  • After finally receiving the offer letter from the applied institute, the final step is to make a visa application and fly to the country to begin the May session.

May Intake Universities in UK

Although May is not a common intake month for universities, there are some universities in the UK that do offer courses. These courses are usually for postgraduate degrees, short courses, specialised courses, or courses with unique structures. Here are some of the universities and the courses they offer for May intake in the UK in 2025:

Name of the InstituteAvailable Course Options 
Coventry University
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Accountancy
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Accounting and Finance
  • Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Acting (Stage and Screen)
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Adult Nursing
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Aerospace Systems Engineering
  • Master of Engineering (Hons) in Aerospace Systems Engineering
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Aerospace Technology
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Architectural Technology
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Architecture
  • Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Automotive and Transport Design
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Automotive Engineering
  • Master of Engineering (Hons) in Automotive Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Aviation Management
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Banking and Finance
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biological and Forensic Science
University of Bedfordshire
  • Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Film Production
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Food and Nutrition Science
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Forensic Science
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Forensic Science and Criminology
  • Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Graphic Design
  • Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Health and Social Care
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Human Resource Management
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Human Resources Management with Law
  • Master of Science in Environmental Management
  • Master of Science in Financial Risk Management
  • Master of Science in Forensic Analysis
  • Master of Science in Forensic Psychology
  • Master of Science in Health Psychology
  • Master of Science in Information Systems Management
University of Greenwich
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Midwifery
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Operating Department Practitioner
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Paramedic Science
  • Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Physical Education and Sport (Extended)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Physical Education and Sport
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science (Extended)
  • Master of Arts in English: Literary London
  • Master of Science in Food Innovation with Industrial Practice
  • Master of Science in Food Innovation
  • Master of Science in Forensic Psychology
  • Master of Science in Global Environmental Change
  • Master of Science in Natural Resources (by Research)
  • Master of Science in Machine Intelligence

University of Chester

  • Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Chemical Engineering
  • Master of Engineering (Hons) in Chemical Engineering
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Chemistry
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Chemistry with Foundation Year
  • Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Chinese and English Language
  • Master of Science in Oncology
  • Master of Science in Orthopaedics
  • Master of Science in Programme and Project Management
  • Master of Science in Psychology (Conversion)
  • Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition
  • Master of Science in Sociology of Sport and Exercise
  • Master of Science in Sports Biomechanics
  • Master of Science in Sports Medicine
University of Roehampton London
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Management
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Management (Top-Up)
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Economics
  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
  • Bachelor of Arts in Creative and Professional Writing
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Policing
  • Bachelor of Arts in Dance
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance
  • Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media
  • Bachelor of Arts in Drama
  • Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies
  • Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies
  • Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Linguistics
  • Bachelor of Arts in English Literature
  • Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Philosophy

How to Apply for May Intake in UK?

The application process for the May intake in the UK is similar to other intakes apart from the dates of completion. As the application date and intake deadlines vary from institute to institute, students are advised to check the university website and the courses they offer.

Students can apply for this intake independently by visiting the university's application portal or with the help of an education consultant, who can provide them with expert guidance from submitting an application to receiving an offer letter.

UK Universities Requirements

Every institute requires a certain set of documents from international students before accepting their application. While the list of documents differs from institute to institute, some of the essential documents needed for admission to universities in the UK for the May intake are:   

Conclusion


Various factors influence students' choice of intake, such as previous academic records, test scores, application start and deadline dates, and so on. Therefore, it is important to take the assistance of study abroad consultants who are experts in the field and guide students in making an error-free application. To know more about the May intake in the UK or universities in the UK that offer programs of your choice, visit the nearest Canam office today.

FAQ

The May intake is commonly known as the summer intake in the UK.

Applying for a university in the UK is a complex process as it involves many formalities. Therefore, the general timeline to apply for May Intakes in the UK is between October and January, as the classes commence in June or August.

The deadline to apply for May intake varies from institute to institute and also depends on the seats available for the courses offered by such institutes. However, it is advised to students to apply between the months of December and February to avoid any delay.

The best intake to apply for study in top UK academic institutes is either January or September, as most of the universities are open for admissions in these intakes.

Popular areas of study in the UK are:
• Creative Arts
• Culinary Arts
• Engineering
• Life Sciences
• Education/Teaching
• Computer Science
• Performing Arts
• Life Sciences and Biosciences
• Mathematics and Actuarial Science

Every university has different CGPA requirements. However, the minimum admission requirement in any university is 3.5+ on a scale of 4 or 9 on a scale of 10.

A study gap of up to 2 years is acceptable if the student is applying for an undergraduate or diploma course in the UK, and a gap of up to 5 years is permitted in the case of postgraduate courses.

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