January Intake Universities in UK 2027: List & Deadlines

Missed the September intake? You still have another route.

The January intake in UK is a winter admission window for students who want to start university without waiting another full academic year. It is especially useful for international students who need more time for final results, English tests, tuition deposit, CAS, financial documents or visa preparation.

The short answer is this: many January intake universities in UK offer postgraduate courses, selected undergraduate routes, foundation options and professional programmes. But January is not as wide as September.

That is the part students often miss.

January gives you more time, but not always more choice. If you want Business, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Public Health, Nursing, Finance or Management, you may find strong options. If you want Medicine, Dentistry, Architecture or a highly competitive undergraduate course, September may still be the safer route.

This guide explains the UK January intake 2027 timeline, universities, courses, deadlines, visa steps, scholarships and how to apply without rushing the process.

How we checked this information: We reviewed official university pages, UCAS guidance and UK government visa information before updating this guide. Course availability can change, so always confirm deadlines on the official university course page before applying.

What Is the January Intake in UK?

The January intake in UK is the second major university start date after September. It usually begins in January or early February. Many universities use this intake for postgraduate taught courses, while some also offer selected undergraduate, foundation, top-up or pathway courses.

For international students, January can be a practical option. Maybe your results came late. Maybe you need another English test attempt. Maybe your family needs more time to arrange funds. Or maybe you missed the September deadline and do not want to wait until the next academic year.

Before choosing one intake, it helps to understand the full UK study route. This broader guide on planning your UK study journey explains entry routes, costs and student visa basics in more detail.

January Intake in UK 2027 at a Glance

Point	Details
Intake name	January intake / winter intake
Start period	January or early February 2027
Best for	Students who missed September or need extra preparation time
Strongest level	Postgraduate taught and Masters courses
Undergraduate availability	Available at selected universities and courses only
Common application period	Mid-2026 to late 2026
Common deadline window	October to December 2026, depending on university and course
Application route	UCAS for many undergraduate courses; direct university application for most postgraduate courses
Main visa step	Apply after receiving CAS
Main risk	Limited course choice, late CAS, accommodation pressure and visa timing

January Intake vs September and May Intake in UK

The UK has three common entry windows: September, January and May. Not every university offers all three. Not every course appears in all three either.

Intake	Typical Start	Course Choice	Best For	Main Risk
September intake	September or October	Widest choice	Most undergraduate and postgraduate students	More competition and earlier planning
January intake	January or February	Good, especially for postgraduate courses	Students who need extra time after September	Fewer courses and tighter visa timing
May intake	April or May	Limited	Flexible or niche course seekers	Very limited university and course options

September is still the main route. January is the second major option. May is smaller and more course-specific.

If you are still comparing intakes, review the main September route and the smaller May entry window before choosing.

List of January Intake Universities in UK 2027

Below is a practical shortlist of universities with confirmed or latest available January intake information. Use this list for shortlisting only. Before applying, confirm the course start date, international deadline and CAS rules on the official university page.

University	Location	January Intake Status	Common Course Areas	Important Note
University of Liverpool	Liverpool, England	Confirmed January 2027 postgraduate starts	Business, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Healthcare, Physics	Many international deadlines are 18 December 2026; some Engineering and Physics courses have earlier deadlines
University of Strathclyde	Glasgow, Scotland	Confirmed January 2027 Masters and postgraduate taught entry	Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Law, Education, Finance, Marketing	Strong postgraduate January list across faculties
Kingston University London	London, England	Confirmed January 2027 admissions timeline for standard courses	Business, Computing, Engineering, Law, Data, Design and selected postgraduate routes	Clear application, deposit, CAS and teaching dates
University of Portsmouth	Portsmouth and London Campus	Latest January course page shows January-start options; check 2027 update before applying	Computing, Engineering, Business, AI, Data, Digital Marketing, Project Management	Useful for shortlisting, but course year must be verified
Queen Mary University of London	London, England	Course-specific January entry	Business, Management, Finance, Law and selected postgraduate areas	Check the exact course page and international deadline
Coventry University	Coventry, England	Course-specific January entry	Business, Computing, Engineering, Health, Management	Confirm campus, course and intake before applying
University of Greenwich	London, England	Course-specific January entry	Business, Computing, Engineering, Education	Check the course finder for 2027 start dates
Brunel University London	London, England	Course-specific January entry	Business, Engineering, Computing, Design	January options may be mostly postgraduate
Ulster University	Northern Ireland and branch campuses	Course and campus-specific January options	Business, Computing, Engineering, Law, Hospitality	Confirm the campus because costs and student experience can vary
University of Dundee	Dundee, Scotland	Course-specific January options may vary	Business, Data, Computing, Finance	Check official course availability for 2027

A simple rule helps: choose the course first, then confirm the January start date, then check the international deadline, then prepare your CAS and visa timeline.

Top January Intake Universities in UK for 2027

University of Liverpool

The University of Liverpool is one of the clearest confirmed options for January 2027 postgraduate study. Its official January starts page lists a range of Masters programmes in areas such as Business, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Healthcare and Physics.

For many January 2027 courses, Liverpool lists the international application deadline as 18 December 2026. Some Engineering and Physics courses have an earlier international deadline of 30 November 2026. The university also lists course welcome from 25 January 2027 and teaching from 1 February 2027 for many January-start courses.

This makes Liverpool a strong option for students interested in Advanced Computer Science, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, International Business, Marketing, Project Management, Engineering or healthcare-related postgraduate study.

Check the official University of Liverpool January starts page before applying.

University of Strathclyde

The University of Strathclyde has a dedicated January intake 2027 page for Masters and postgraduate taught degrees. It lists courses across Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Strathclyde Business School.

January options include Advanced Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Machine Learning and Deep Learning, Advanced Computer Science, Law, TESOL, Accounting, Finance and Data Analytics, Business and Management, Digital Marketing Management and more.

Strathclyde also notes scholarship information for applicants beginning courses in January 2027. That matters because scholarship deadlines can close earlier than course deadlines.

Check the official Strathclyde January intake 2027 page before applying.

Kingston University London

Kingston University London gives one of the clearest international admissions timelines for January 2027 standard courses.

For January 2027 start, Kingston lists 11 December 2026 as the admissions application deadline, 15 December 2026 as the admissions confirmation deadline, 18 December 2026 as the deposit deadline for postgraduate taught applicants, 18 December 2026 as the CAS request deadline, 18 January 2027 as Welcome Week and 25 January 2027 as the teaching start date.

This timeline is useful because many students do not get stuck at the application stage. They get stuck later with deposit, CAS, pre-CAS interview or visa timing.

Kingston also notes that applicants from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are strongly encouraged to complete the pre-CAS interview by the stated deadline. If you are applying from South Asia, do not leave this step until the final week.

Check the official Kingston international admissions timeline.

University of Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth is useful to monitor because its latest official January course page shows a wide list of January-start options, including undergraduate top-up courses, postgraduate taught courses, foundation and Pre-Master’s routes.

The subject areas include Civil Engineering, Computer Science, AI and Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, Engineering Management, Project Management, International Business, Cyber Security and Construction Project Management.

At the time of writing, students should still verify the 2027 version of each course page before applying. January availability can change from one academic year to another.

Check the latest official Portsmouth January course page.

January Intake UK 2027 Deadlines

Most January intake UK deadlines fall between October and December 2026. Some courses close earlier. Some may stay open longer if spaces remain, but international students should not depend on late availability because CAS and visa processing take time.

A safe January 2027 timeline looks like this:

Time	What to Do
April–June 2026	Research courses, entry requirements, tuition fees and scholarship options
June–August 2026	Prepare transcripts, passport, CV, SOP, references and English test plan
August–October 2026	Apply to 3–5 suitable universities
October–November 2026	Respond to offers, meet conditions and prepare funds
November–December 2026	Pay deposit if needed, complete pre-CAS checks and request CAS
December 2026–January 2027	Apply for Student visa, book accommodation and arrange travel
January–February 2027	Attend welcome week and begin classes

December looks close to January on a calendar. In visa planning, it is already late.

Undergraduate January Intake UK 2027

Undergraduate January intake UK options exist, but they are more limited than September.

This is where many students get confused. A university may accept undergraduate applications through UCAS for 2027 entry, but that does not always mean the course starts in January 2027. Many UCAS applications submitted by January are for September entry.

So check two things separately:

1. The application deadline
2. The course start date

UCAS states that applications for most 2027 undergraduate courses, except those with an earlier October deadline, should arrive by 18:00 UK time on 13 January 2027 for equal consideration. That is mainly a UCAS application deadline for 2027 entry, not proof that every course starts in January.

If UCAS feels confusing, this step-by-step UCAS application guide can help you understand the route before you submit anything.

Official source: UCAS 2027 equal consideration deadline

Undergraduate January options may include:

• Business and Management
• Computing and IT
• Engineering top-up courses
• Foundation years
• International Year One routes
• Top-up degrees
• Study abroad semester options
• Selected professional or flexible courses

The safest approach is to open the university course page and filter by start date. If the page does not say January 2027, do not assume it is available.

Postgraduate January Intake UK 2027

The postgraduate January intake UK route is usually stronger than the undergraduate route.

Many universities offer January starts for Masters courses because postgraduate taught programmes can be structured more flexibly. You will often see MSc, MA, MBA, LLM, PGCert and PGDip courses in January lists.

Popular postgraduate January intake UK subjects include:

Subject Area	Example Courses
Business	International Business, Management, Marketing, Project Management
Computing	Computer Science, Data Science, AI, Cyber Security, Software Engineering
Engineering	Mechanical, Civil, Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Engineering Management
Finance	Accounting, Finance, FinTech, Business Analytics
Healthcare	Public Health, Nursing, Healthcare Management, Physiotherapy-related courses
Law	LLM, International Commercial Law, Law and Technology
Education	TESOL, Education Studies, Educational Leadership

Best Courses for January Intake in UK

The best course depends on your academic background, budget, career plan and visa readiness. Still, some subject areas appear more often in January intake pages.

Business and Management

Business courses are common in January because universities can run multiple cohorts for international students. You may find International Business, Management, Marketing, Project Management, Accounting, Finance and MBA routes.

If you already have work experience, an MBA may make sense. If you are a fresh graduate, a Management or International Business MSc may be more realistic.

Computer Science, Data Science and AI

Computer Science, Data Science and AI are strong January options at several universities. Students often look for software development, machine learning, analytics, cyber security and artificial intelligence courses.

A slightly surprising point: a January start can help some tech students. It gives them time to improve their portfolio, revise programming basics and write a stronger SOP instead of rushing into September with weak documents.

Engineering

Engineering January options can include Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Management, Manufacturing, Renewable Energy and related fields.

Check the entry requirements carefully. A course title may look perfect, but the university may require a specific engineering background.

Healthcare and Public Health

Some January-start courses appear in healthcare, public health, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and healthcare management.

These courses can be stricter. They may ask for specific academic background, work experience, references, English scores, interviews or professional documents.

Law, Finance and Marketing

Law, finance and marketing courses are also available at selected universities. London universities often attract students in these areas because of location and employer access.

But location is not everything. A lower-cost city with the right course can sometimes be a better decision than a London option that creates financial pressure.

Eligibility for January Intake Universities in UK

Entry requirements vary by university and course. Most international students need:

Requirement	What It Usually Means
Academic qualification	High school, bachelor’s degree or equivalent, depending on course level
English proof	IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Duolingo, MOI, SELT or university-approved alternative
SOP or personal statement	Your reason for choosing the course, university and UK
References	Academic or professional recommendation letters
CV	Usually needed for postgraduate applications
Passport	Must be valid for the application and visa process
Financial readiness	Tuition deposit and living-cost funds
Course-specific documents	Portfolio, interview, work experience, ATAS or professional registration where needed

Do not wait until you receive an offer to check English requirements. Late English proof can delay CAS.

If you are unsure what proof your target university accepts, check accepted English requirements for UK universities before applying.

Documents Required for UK January Intake 2027

Prepare your documents early. January intake moves quickly once offers start coming in.

You may need:

• Passport
• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificate or school certificate
• English language test result or accepted alternative
• Statement of purpose
• Recommendation letters
• CV or résumé
• Portfolio, if applying for design, art, architecture or creative subjects
• Work experience letter, if required
• Financial documents
• Tuberculosis test certificate, if required for your country
• ATAS certificate, if required for certain science, engineering or technology subjects
• Offer letter
• CAS letter before visa application

One small detail from real applications: file names matter. “Rahim_Final_Transcript.pdf” is easier for admissions teams to review than “scan-new-final-last-version.pdf”. It sounds tiny, but small delays add up when CAS deadlines are close.

How to Apply for January Intake in UK 2027

Step 1: Choose your course first

Do not start with university names only. Start with your subject, career goal, entry requirement and budget.

For example, if you want Data Science, shortlist courses that clearly start in January 2027. Then compare modules, fees, location, scholarship options and deadlines.

Step 2: Check the official January start date

Open the university course page. Look for “January 2027”, “February 2027” or “new year start”. If the page only shows September, that course may not be available for January.

Step 3: Check the international deadline

International deadlines can be earlier than home student deadlines because of visa processing. Some universities also have separate deposit, CAS and confirmation deadlines.

Step 4: Prepare your documents

Prepare transcripts, SOP, references, CV, passport and English proof before applying. A rushed SOP can weaken an otherwise good application.

Step 5: Apply through the correct route

For many undergraduate courses, you apply through UCAS. For most postgraduate January courses, you apply directly through the university website.

Step 6: Respond to your offer

You may receive a conditional offer first. That means you still need to meet one or more conditions, such as final marks, English proof, references, documents or deposit.

Step 7: Request CAS

CAS is the bridge between admission and visa. Some universities issue CAS only after deposit payment, financial checks, credibility checks or pre-CAS interviews.

Step 8: Apply for your Student visa

Apply only after receiving CAS and preparing your financial documents correctly.

UK Student Visa for January Intake 2027

For a UK Student visa, you need enough money for your course fee and living costs, unless an exemption applies.

According to GOV.UK, the current living-cost requirement is:

Study Location	Living-Cost Requirement
London	£1,529 per month, for up to 9 months
Outside London	£1,171 per month, for up to 9 months

This is separate from unpaid tuition fees. If your first-year tuition fee is £16,000 and you have paid a £4,000 deposit, you may still need to show the remaining tuition fee plus the required living-cost amount.

GOV.UK also says funds must usually be held for at least 28 days in a row, and the end date of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of your visa application.

Read the official GOV.UK Student visa money guidance before preparing your final bank statement.

Bank statement mistakes are common and stressful. Before your CAS stage, use this guide to prepare your bank statement correctly.

Graduate Route Update for January 2027 Starters

This section matters because many older articles still mention the previous Graduate Route duration.

GOV.UK says a Graduate visa lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. PhD or doctoral graduates can stay for 3 years.

Most January 2027 starters will finish after 1 January 2027, so they should plan around the 18-month Graduate Route unless official rules change again.

Do not build your study plan on old “2-year PSW” content without checking the latest rule.

Official source: GOV.UK Graduate visa

Can You Study in UK Without IELTS for January Intake?

Yes, some universities may accept alternatives to IELTS for January intake. But that does not mean you can study without English proof.

Possible alternatives may include:

• Medium of Instruction letter
• PTE Academic
• Duolingo English Test
• TOEFL
• University internal English test
• SELT from an approved provider
• Previous study in English

Your option depends on the university, course, country, academic history and visa risk. If you do not have IELTS, check possible UK study routes without IELTS early. Do not leave English proof until the CAS stage.

Scholarships for January Intake UK 2027

Some universities offer scholarships for January intake students. These may be merit-based, country-specific, postgraduate-focused, faculty-level or automatic awards.

You may find:

• International merit scholarships
• Faculty scholarships
• Country-specific awards
• Postgraduate taught scholarships
• Early-payment discounts
• Alumni discounts
• Women in STEM scholarships
• Regional scholarships

Apply early. Scholarship deadlines may close before the course deadline.

If funding is part of your decision, compare UK scholarship options for international students and always confirm eligibility on the university scholarship page.

How to Choose the Right January Intake University

Do not choose a university only because it appears on a January intake list.

Use this checklist:

Question	Why It Matters
Does the course start in January 2027?	Not every course has winter entry
Is the course open to international students?	Some pages separate UK and international routes
Is the deadline still open?	Courses can close early
Does the course match your background?	Entry requirements can be strict
Can you afford the city?	London and non-London visa funds differ
Can you arrange CAS and visa on time?	Late CAS can delay arrival
Is accommodation available?	January housing can be tighter
Does the course support your career goal?	A good title alone is not enough

The best January university may not be the highest-ranked one. It may be the one that gives you the right course, realistic entry, clear deadline, affordable budget and enough time for visa approval.

Common Mistakes Students Make in January Intake

Applying too late

January intake gives extra time after September. It does not give unlimited time. If you start in December, many courses may already be closed or too risky for visa timing.

Choosing the university before the course

A famous university name does not help if the course does not match your background, budget or career plan.

Ignoring CAS timing

Without CAS, you cannot complete your Student visa application. Some students receive an offer but lose time because they delay deposit, conditions or pre-CAS checks.

Using old visa fund amounts

Student visa financial requirements change. Always check GOV.UK before preparing your final bank statement.

Assuming every January course accepts undergraduates

Many January options are postgraduate. Undergraduate January intake UK options are more limited.

Forgetting accommodation

Students often focus on the offer letter first and housing later. That can create pressure in January, especially in popular cities.

January Intake UK 2027 Application Checklist

Before applying, check:

• Course starts in January or February 2027
• International application deadline
• Tuition fee and deposit amount
• Scholarship availability
• Academic entry requirement
• English language requirement
• SOP or personal statement
• Recommendation letters
• CV or résumé
• Passport validity
• ATAS requirement, if relevant
• CAS process
• Visa fund requirement
• Accommodation options
• Travel and arrival plan

The students who do best in January intake are not always the ones with the highest marks. Often, they are the ones who prepare early and avoid last-minute document problems.

FAQs About January Intake Universities in UK

Which UK universities have January intake in 2027?

Some January intake universities in UK for 2027 include the University of Liverpool, University of Strathclyde and Kingston University London, with other universities offering course-specific or campus-specific January options. Always check the official course page before applying.

When should I apply for January intake in UK 2027?

You should start research from April to June 2026 and aim to apply between August and October 2026. Some universities may accept applications later, but international students should leave enough time for offer conditions, deposit, CAS and visa.

What is the deadline for January intake UK 2027?

January intake UK deadlines vary by university and course. Many fall between October and December 2026. For example, Kingston lists 11 December 2026 as its application deadline for January 2027 standard courses, while Liverpool lists 18 December 2026 for many international postgraduate applicants and 30 November 2026 for some Engineering and Physics courses.

Is January intake in UK good for international students?

Yes, January intake can be good for international students who need more time after September. It works well when your course is available, your documents are ready and your visa timeline is realistic.

Are undergraduate courses available in January intake UK?

Yes, but undergraduate January intake UK options are limited compared with September. You may find selected undergraduate, foundation, top-up or pathway courses. Always check the start date on the official course page.

Are Masters courses available in January intake UK?

Yes. Masters and postgraduate taught courses are usually the strongest part of the January intake. You may find MSc, MA, MBA, LLM, PGCert and PGDip options in Business, Computing, Engineering, Healthcare, Law, Finance and Education.

Can I apply through UCAS for January intake?

For many undergraduate courses, UCAS is the application route. For most postgraduate January courses, you apply directly to the university. Check the course level before choosing your route.

How much money do I need for a UK Student visa?

You need enough money for unpaid tuition fees plus living costs. GOV.UK currently lists £1,529 per month for London and £1,171 per month outside London, for up to 9 months. Funds usually need to be held for at least 28 days.

Can I get scholarships for January intake in UK?

Yes, some universities offer scholarships for January intake students. These may be merit-based, country-specific, faculty-level or postgraduate awards. Check scholarship pages early because funding can close before the course deadline.

Is January intake better than September intake?

January intake is better if you need more preparation time and your chosen course is available. September is better if you want the widest choice of universities, courses, scholarships and student activities.

Final Advice

January intake universities in UK can give you a real second chance if September feels too rushed.

But do not treat January as a backup plan. Treat it as a planned route.

Start early. Choose the course carefully. Check official deadlines. Prepare your documents before the rush begins. Then move quickly when an offer arrives.

Your safest next step is simple: shortlist 5 to 8 suitable January 2027 courses, verify each official deadline, and apply before CAS and visa timing becomes tight.