May intake universities in the UK

May intake universities in the UK give international students another chance to enrol in their desired program abroad. Those who have missed the Fall or Spring intake can take advantage of this Summer intake to avoid missing a crucial academic year. The May intake is not as popular as the Fall intake but has advantages. That's why many Indian students look out for it. May intakes, also called tertiary intakes, are open for graduate and postgraduate level programs. Some certificate and diploma programs that may be short-term are also available. Let's take a closer look at the benefits, advantages and opportunities offered by the May intake.

Is the May intake in the UK right for you?

The May intake has both advantages and disadvantages for an international student as follows: 

Pros of May intake in the UK universities 2024 

• Some exclusive programs are open only in May, notably valuable short-term courses. This is a great time to pick up some extra qualifications or develop additional skills. 
• The competition for admission for the May intake is lower, so your chances of getting in are improved.
• The class sizes are limited, so there is a better faculty-to-student ratio. 
• The smaller class sizes also mean you have less competition when looking for employment opportunities after graduating.

Cons of May intake in the UK universities 2024 

• The most popular programs are offered in the Fall and Spring intake rather than in May. 
• The number of courses you can choose can be limited for the May intake. 
• The May intake in UK universities for 2024 is not available at all the major institutions, so your choice is restricted. 

1. Coventry University London

The University secured the 51^st rank in the Guardian University Guide 2023. It also ranks 251-300 in the Young University Ranking 2023. Final-year students gave a satisfaction rating of 82.6 for the teaching.

The university has several May intake courses, some of which are:

2.University of Kent

This university was ranked in the top 500, in the Times Higher Education Rankings 2024. Creativity is welcomed here and students are also given enough opportunity to experience workshops and hands-on practical training in their chosen field.

The University mainly offers post graduate courses and PhDs in their May intake. Some of the programs are open for May intake in the UK at this university are:

3. Northumbria University

If you want to study in the UK at this university, these are some course options open to you:

4. Brunel University

Some of the courses open for international students in the May intake are:

5. Ulster University

Their May intake features a number of courses that are unique courses and can add value to your CV.

Some of the courses are:

6. University of Roehampton

At this university, the programs begin in April. The programs to choose from are:

7. University of East London

Here are a few that were open in May 2023 and are likely to be offered in 2024 as well:

General admission requirements

When you start the application process for the May intake at top universities in the UK, it is best to have the required documents ready. Some of these documents are needed for your UK study visa application too. In general, the eligibility requirements and documents needed for UK universities are:

• Age 18+ years old or have a parental/ guardian consent letter if younger.
• Have an acceptable test score proving English language proficiency
• Have a valid passport with sufficient time until expiry. 
• (For some courses) Have covered specific subjects at the graduate or undergraduate level.
• Academic transcripts
• Academic reference letter 
• Statement of purpose
• Work reference where applicable
• Copy of current, valid passport
• GMAT/ GRE scores where needed
• English language proficiency scores 

When your application is accepted and the enrolment confirmed, the university will send you a CAS, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, which is critical for your UK study visa application. 

Deadlines for application

If you wish to apply for the May intake in the UK, the deadline is usually by February of the intake year. This varies between universities, so check the university website or prospectus for your final dates. The timeline that you should follow is: 

The university usually sends you confirmation by March/ April, after which you can immediately apply for your UK study visa. Most programs begin in May. 

May Intake FAQs answered

Is there a May intake in the UK every year?

Yes, there is a May intake in the UK every academic year. However, not all universities nor all courses have May intakes. Some unique programs that are not open during the more popular intakes begin in May, so it is helpful for international students to monitor this intake. 

When does the application for May intake open? 

Applications are open from late December of the year before the intake to February of the intake year. Make sure you have everything you need for your application before the deadlines. 

Is the May intake ideal for international students?

This depends on which program you want to study because not all programs are available. But, if your program is open for May intake, this is a good opportunity. 

Should I wait for the May intake and avoid applying for other more popular intakes? 

Generally, no. It is best to apply during the other intakes as well. This way, you maximise your chances of admission to your chosen university unless the course you want is only available in May.

What May intake universities are there in the UK

Not all UK universities have May intake programs but some well- known ones do. These are some of the prominent universities where you can apply for the May intake:

The May intake at universities in the UK is not the most popular choice for students looking to study there, but this intake has its advantages. It’s a great time to explore short-term courses that can add great value to your existing credentials. Since this intake is not as popular as the other two, this could be your opportunity to enrol at a top university.