What is the UK University May intake?

The May Intake in the UK is a key admission period that allows students to start their studies later in the year than September or January. It might be a less common time to begin studies, but it gives international students a good amount of flexibility when it comes to course choices while being less competitive than the other admission periods.

The deadline for the 2025 May intake falls between October 2024 – February 2025

Despite this, it's still important to start your application early, as this makes you much more likely to secure a spot at the university of your choice., but you should be preparing your application up to a year in advance of this. 

When is the May intake?

If you want to begin your studies in May 2025, you’ll need to apply between October 2024 and January 2025. Despite May intakes having a slightly more flexible deadline than the other intakes, you should still confirm the specific dates with the universities you’re interested in as they can vary quite a lot from course to course.

It’s always a good idea to start your application as early as possible - it gives you more time to make sure your paperwork is all filled out correctly (if you’re nervous about this, our lovely advisors can help you with it!).

Why choose the May intake?

Starting your studies in May can be a great choice! Here’s why:

• Plenty of course options: While September is the main intake, May still offers a good range of programs, so you’ll have plenty of choices without having to wait for September.
  
  
• Smaller class sizes: Fewer students tend to join in May, which often means smaller class sizes. This can give you more personalised support from your tutors and easier access to university resources.
  
  
• Better accommodation choices: With fewer students arriving, there is less competition for university housing.
  
  
• Less competition for places: As a less popular intake, you may find it easier to get accepted for courses that might have stiffer competition at other times of the year.

Don’t forget to take advantage of any available scholarships and bursaries during the May intake, as they can provide valuable financial support.

What are the downsides of the UK’s May intake?

While the May intake for UK universities has many benefits, it’s always smart to keep the potential downsides in mind.

For example, while not exactly a contradiction of the point above, it’s worth remembering that not all programs offer a May start, so you may have fewer course choices.

You’ll also be joining halfway through the academic year, so you might feel slightly out of sync with students who started in September. You may find it takes a bit more time to settle in \socially, as students who joined in earlier intakes will already started establishing new friendships and routines.

When should you start preparing for the May intake?

We always say it’s best to start preparing your application a year in advance (if you can!). That way you’ll have plenty of time to research universities and courses, gather all the required documents and apply for any relevant scholarship opportunities.

If you’re an international student and you want to study in the UK, you’ll also need to make sure that you’ve applied for your student visa properly.

Visa acceptance rates have recently declined due to incorrectly completed applications, so working with one of our counsellors will give you some much-needed peace of mind. You can be sure that your application will be handled perfectly, and your chances of approval will be higher.

What If you miss the May intake deadline?

Missed the deadline for the May intake? Don’t worry! You’ve still got plenty of options to consider:

• Apply through clearing: Many UK universities offer open places through the UCAS Clearing process, so if you don’t have an offer you can still secure a spot.
  
  
• Consider the next intake: Most UK universities also have a September intake, and some even have January intakes. Use our course search tool to explore these options.
  
  
• Check with other universities: Some universities may have remaining spots for May, although availability can be unpredictable.
  
  
• Prepare for the Next Intake: If none of the above options work, use the time to strengthen your application for the next available intake.
  
  
• Book a call with us and get some help: Our British Council-trained counsellors are all experts on UK universities, and can help you explore your options. Book a free call today and get ahead with AHZ!

In other words, even if you’ve missed the May intake deadline, all is not lost! Get in touch and we’ll help you find the best way to make your dream of studying in the UK a reality.

How can AHZ help?

If you’re considering applying for the May intake, our team of counsellors is here to make the process easier for you. We’ll help ensure all your documents are completed accurately, provide you with support with finding accommodation, and loads more!

We’re proud to have a strong reputation for guiding students from the start to the end of their journey through the UK’s Higher Education system - and our service is completely free!

Here’s how AHZ can help:

• Free guidance and application support: We offer expert support at no cost, giving you access to over 140 UK institutions, and helping you at every stage.
  
  
• Student visa application assistance: Our experts streamline the visa application process so you can focus on your studies.
  
  
• Help finding accommodation: Need some help finding a place to stay? Our team can help you secure comfortable housing during your time in the UK.