Missed September?

UK universities with a
January intake.

Missing September doesn't mean losing a year. These universities run January starts on popular courses — here's the verified list, the deadlines, and the visa timeline that makes it work.

15
January-intake universities
Sep–Oct
Best time to apply
~3 weeks
Typical visa decision
Same degree
As September starters

Verified January starters.

Every university below offers January intakes on a meaningful range of master's (and some bachelor's) courses — not just one token programme. January cohorts are smaller and some named scholarships are September-only, but the degree, the Graduate Route eligibility and the quality are identical. The one real constraint is time: the January window is short, so the application-to-visa sequence has to run cleanly. That's what we manage.

University of Bradford

Bradford, West Yorkshire

PG from £15,700/year

January, September

Bradford profile

Aston University

Birmingham, West Midlands

PG from £16,350/year

September, January

Aston profile

University of Sunderland

Sunderland, North East England

PG from £16,500/year

January, September

Sunderland profile

University of Huddersfield

Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

PG from £18,700/year

September, January, May

Huddersfield profile

University of Hertfordshire

Hatfield, East of England

PG from £17,950/year

September, January

Herts profile

Kingston University

Kingston upon Thames, Greater London

PG from £19,300/year

January, September

Kingston profile

University of Brighton

Brighton, South East England

PG from £15,960/year

September, January

Brighton profile

Robert Gordon University

Aberdeen, Scotland

PG from £15,910/year

September, January

RGU profile

Coventry University

Coventry, West Midlands

PG from £18,600/year

September, January, May

Coventry profile

Birmingham City University

Birmingham, West Midlands

PG from £18,970/year

September, January

BCU profile

University of Greenwich

London, Greater London

PG from £18,700/year

January, September

Greenwich profile

University of Salford

Salford, Greater Manchester

PG from £16,000/year

September, January

Salford profile

Teesside University

Middlesbrough, North East England

PG from £17,000/year

January, May, September

Teesside profile

University of Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton, West Midlands

PG from £18,465/year

September, January, May

Wolverhampton profile

De Montfort University

Leicester, East Midlands

PG from £16,100/year

September, January

DMU profile

Deciding between intakes?

January vs September — the honest comparison.

Course choice, scholarships, weather, job-market timing and the visa math for each intake — read the full comparison before you decide.

January vs September guide

FAQ

January intake — common questions.

Which UK universities have a January intake?

Many modern universities run January starts on popular master’s courses — the universities on this page all offer January intakes on a meaningful selection of programmes. Course availability changes each cycle, so we confirm your exact course is running before you apply.

When should I apply for the January intake?

Applications typically open around June–July and are best submitted by September–October. Working backwards: offer and deposit by October–November, CAS and visa in November–December, travel late December or early January. Later applications are possible but risk the visa timeline.

Is the January intake worse than September?

Not worse — smaller. Course choice and scholarship pots are larger in September, but January offers the same degrees, the same visa rights and a genuine second chance if you missed September for IELTS, funds or documents. For many students, joining in January beats losing a whole year.

Do January-intake students get scholarships?

Often, yes — most universities apply their standard international merit awards to January starters, though some named scholarships are September-only. Each university profile lists its awards; we confirm what is live for January when we shortlist.

Can I get a UK student visa in time for January?

Yes, if you keep to the timeline: most Student-visa decisions arrive within around three weeks of biometrics, and you can apply up to six months before your course starts. The risk is late applications — which is exactly what our timeline management prevents.

Fees, entry requirements, English-language policies and intake dates are correct to the best of our knowledge at the date shown, but universities review them every cycle and immigration rules change. Always treat figures as a guide — we confirm the exact, current requirements with the university before you apply.

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Entry requirements, costs, scholarships and the Student visa process — explained for your country, with a free consultation to map your route.

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Which of these fits you best?

Tell us your qualifications, budget and target intake — a Global Pathways advisor will narrow this list to the universities you will actually get into, free.

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