Is studying abroad at the top of your bucket list? Then you must have decided on your study destination, and probably your university too! But, before all that, it is essential to know when the study abroad intakes are. Universities abroad provide three intakes: fall, winter, and spring/summer, and you can choose your preferred intake according to your convenience and course. Once you get a clear-cut idea of the study abroad intakes, it will be of great help to you as you will have a better idea to prepare yourself for your university admissions.
1. Fall Intake (Sept - Nov)
The study abroad fall intake begins in the month of September and ends in November. Not only do the leaves change colour and the weather cools down, but many universities also start their academic year during this fall intake.
- Fall is a great time to study abroad because you can take advantage of unique courses that are only available during this season.
- Also, in the study abroad fall intake, scholarships offered by universities are comparatively higher than they are during other intakes.
This intake is most popular among international students so the competition level is higher; in fact, study abroad fall intake is available in all universities and countries.
2. Winter Intake (Dec - Feb)
The winter intake commences in the month of December and ends in the month of February. If you missed the fall intake, this winter intake is the perfect chance to pursue your study abroad and apply to universities.
- It is not just considered as a secondary alternative, but winter intake is also one of the most popular and top study abroad intakes among students.
- The competition level in winter intake is comparatively less since most of the students would have applied to universities by Fall intake.
- The winter intake might not be applicable for a few universities and a few courses. Before planning for winter intake, it's better you check whether it is the right fit for you.
3. Summer/Spring Intake (June - Aug)
The study abroad summer intake commences in the month of June and ends in the month of August. The study abroad summer intake is less popular among students because it is not as widely available at universities across various study destinations.
- The competition level for summer intake is quite low, so if you apply to universities that offer summer intakes, you will almost certainly get accepted.
- The only drawback of study abroad summer intake is that it is not widely available in universities and leaving students with fewer possibilities.
| INTAKES | Destination | DURATION | NOTE | COMPETITION |
| Fall Intake | Only applicable to US, UK, and Canada | Sep, Oct, Nov | Popular intake and most preferred by international students. | High-level |
| Winter Intake | Only applicable to US, UK, and Canada | Dec, Jan, Feb | Secondary intake. | Medium level |
| Summer/ Spring Intake | Only applicable to US, UK, Canada | Jun - Aug | Very few universities offer this intake. | Low level |
Most Popular Countries and Their Intakes
Now that you have an understanding of top study abroad intakes and their differences, it is also ideal to know about the top study abroad intakes in popular study destinations. Have a look into it and choose your ideal intake accordingly.
1. The United States of America
2. The United Kingdom
3. Canada
Intakes in USA
In the United States, the top study abroad intakes are fall and winter intake. The US is an ideal study destination for many international students who are aspiring to study abroad. The majority of colleges in the US are highly ranked and provide a diverse choice of courses.
Fall Intake - September to December
Winter Intake - January to May
Summer/Spring Intake - May to August
Intakes in UK
University applications will be in high demand for the fall intake in the UK. The UK is home to some of the world's best universities and is a popular destination for students looking to further their education. It offers unique courses along with the best internships.
Fall Intake - September to December
Winter Intake - January to April
Summer/ Spring Intake - May to August
Intakes in Canada
Another popular study abroad destination for international students is Canada. The university admissions fill up quickly for the fall intake. Many students prefer to apply for the fall intake because it is the most popular time to study abroad. The winter intake is also a popular time to study in Canada, but it is not as highly sought after as the fall intake.
Fall Intake - September to January
Winter Intake - January to May
Summer/ Spring Intake - May to August
What are the intakes for studying abroad?
The study abroad intake types are fall, winter, and summer/spring. However, most universities offer only two intakes (fall and winter) and the summer/spring intake is not widely available.
When can I start applying for study abroad programs?
It's always a good idea to begin the application process as soon as possible. We recommend starting your applications at least 10-12 months before your desired program's start date. This way, you'll have plenty of time to gather all the materials you need and make sure everything is in order.
What is the deadline for fall intake?
The fall intake usually gets over by the month of November. Also, it varies according to the university and study destination.
What is the deadline for winter intake?
The admissions for spring intake commence in December and get over by the month of Feb.
What is the deadline for summer intake?
The study abroad summer intake begins in the month of June and ends in August. Summer intakes are mainly for students who are interested in doing short-term courses or diplomas.
At AECC Global, we don't just stop at resolving your queries. We can help you every step of the way, right from choosing the right university and course to making your dream study abroad journey a reality. Let us be your one-stop solution for all things related to study abroad intakes!
