There is a preference of study in UK by international students, particularly Indian students. The UK has a good education system which is considered the best worldwide, the worldwide recognized degrees, the good quality of teaching and the good prospects of getting jobs once the graduation. Thousands of Indian students seek to join UK universities every year to seek undergraduate and postgraduate education.
Though the majority of students know the September and January intake, most students are not aware of the fact that a few universities in the UK have a May intake. This intake is also not common but can be very helpful to students who desire to get faster admission or missed previous intakes.
The May intake in UK universities is an excellent chance to students who do not wish to wait till the subsequent academic year. It is particularly useful among postgraduates who are interested in beginning their studies in good time. This paper will discuss all that you need to know about the UK universities in May intake, such as courses, application dates, eligibility, benefits, comparison and frequently asked questions.
What Are the May Intake in UK Universities?
The May intake or the Summer intake or Spring intake is a restricted intake of some UK universities. It is primarily offered in postgraduate programs, especially in business, management, data science and analytics, as well as courses related to technology.
The May intake is less varied compared to the September intake that is the principal one in the UK. Nevertheless, it continues to offer students a good chance to be flexible in admission schedules.
The Main Characteristics of May Intake:
- This intake is offered in fewer universities
- Reduced course selections in comparison with September
- Reduced rivalry among applicants
- Reduced admission and processing time
Due to these characteristics, the May intake would be the best choice among students that prefer fast admission and early career entry.
Why Choose the UK May Intake?
The May intake has more flexibility and a reduced waiting time, which is why it is preferred by many students. The key advantages of the May intake in UK universities are as follows:
- Short waiting time to admission
- Reduced competition than September intake
- Reduced size of the classes and greater individual attention
- Appropriate to students who were late to past deadlines
- Premature graduation and joining of the labor force
- Reduced tension in the application process
The May intake may be a good option to students who wish to have an easy and fast transition to studying abroad.
Available Courses in May Intake UK
The majority of UK universities provide career oriented postgraduate programmes in May intake. These courses will be used to enhance employability and practical skills.
Common Courses Offered:
- MBA & Business Management
- International Business
- Data Science & Analytics
- Computer Science & IT
- Project Management
- Finance & Accounting
- Marketing and Digital Marketing
Note: In May, courses at undergraduate level are extremely scarce. MSc or MBA programs are preferred by most students who apply in May.
May Intake Universities in the UK
The list of popular UK universities that offer May intake is presented below. Note that the availability of courses can vary annually and can also differ according to campus.
- University of Greenwich
- University of Warwick
- University of East London
- Ulster University
- University of Bedfordshire
- Northumbria University
- University of Hertfordshire
- University of Sunderland
Note: Availability varies according to the course, intake capacity and campus. The students are advised to ensure that they check the latest intake status prior to applying.
Deadlines (Important) – May Intake UK
It is highly advisable to plan your application schedule when it comes to the May intake since there is less time.
May Intake Application Timeline:
- Applications Open: November – December
- Application Deadline: March – April
- Offer Letter: 2–4 weeks of application
- CAS Issuance: April
- Visa Application: April – May
- Course Start: May
Hint: Apply in advance to eliminate last minute visa delays.
UK May Intake Eligibility Criteria
Different universities and courses have varying eligibility requirements, although most of the universities use similar requirements.
Academic Requirements
- Postgraduate courses: Bachelor degree
- Minimum 55%–65% for Indian students
- The technical programs have relevant academic background requirement
English Language Requirements
- IELTS overall score: 6.0 – 6.5
Other universities also admit:
- PTE
- Duolingo
- Medium of Instruction (MOI)
Work Experience (If Required)
- Work experience may be required of 1–2 years in MBA programs
- A majority of MSc programs do not need work experience
Is May Intake Good for Indian Students?
Yes, the UK May intake is good among the Indian students, particularly where the situation is as follows:
- You have not got the September intake or the January intake
- You desire to be admitted early and graduate faster
- In May, you have the course you want
- You are not set in stone about university
The students should however also consider that there are limited opportunities in terms of scholarships, internships, and course choices than in September intake.
Read more: UK September Intake Guide for Indian Students
How to Apply for UK May Intake?
The process of applying to the May intake is very easy and takes the following steps:
- Filter universities and courses
- Ready documents (SOP, LOR, academic transcripts)
- Submit online application
- Receive offer letter
- Accept offer and pay deposit
- Receive CAS letter
- Apply for UK student visa
Final Conclusion
May intake in UK universities is an intelligent choice among those students who desire to join the university with minimum competition. Despite the fact that the universities and courses are few, it is a great opportunity to the postgraduate students particularly those dealing with business, management and technology.
Provided that you are flexible, well prepared and make an early application, the UK May intake can make you begin your study journey immediately.
Students are advised to thoroughly look at all the upcoming UK intakes before applying to know the date of application, availability of the course, and visa deadline. To have an overview of the September, January, and May admissions, refer to this full guide to the UK intakes for Indian students.
Frequently Asked Questions – UK Universities That Take in May
1. Is the May intake present in every university in the UK?
No, there are only a few universities that have May intake, which is usually in postgraduate studies.
2. Is it possible to apply to May intake in UK as Indian students?
Yes, Indian students are eligible to apply provided that they have academic and English language requirements.
3. Is UK May intake good for jobs?
Yes, however, there are more job opportunities and internships during the September intake.
4. Does it have scholarships in May intake?
There are limited scholarships. September intake has greater funding alternatives.5. When do I apply to UK May intake?
Those are the most favorable months to apply between December and March.
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