Starting university in January instead of September? It may be a great decision for some students. According to Studyportals’ Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey for the January-March intake, universities also agree with this. 254 universities from 36 different countries participated in the survey, and several highlighted the importance of January start dates.
In this article, you’ll find a full comparison of January and September intakes. To help you make the best decision, we’ve included insights from higher education specialists, including university presidents, admissions directors, and education officers.
Note: Keep in mind that the majority of participating universities in our survey were from the US, Canada, and the UK, where autumn/fall is the most common period to start university. With destinations that follow different academic calendars, the same insights still apply: you’ll just need to think about the most common start dates for that region.
Why are January start dates becoming more common?
While September is still the most common month to start university, January, also known as the spring intake, is growing in importance. The start dates of on-campus Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes on Studyportals illustrate this very well:
- 57% of programmes start in autumn, between August and October
- 31% of them start in spring, between January and March
- 12% of them start in other months
In the Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey, universities cited the following reasons for introducing January start dates:
- Managing visa unpredictability
- Attracting students who would otherwise delay their studies or abandon the application process
According to Laurie Kopp Weingarten, President and Chief Educational Officer at One-Stop College Counseling, January intakes are a management strategy for universities. “Spring admission allows universities to admit additional qualified applicants whom they don’t have room for in the fall,” said Weingarten. This can be a win-win situation: students secure a place at the university, and institutions don’t have to turn away strong candidates.
January vs September: A quick recap
Before we dive into expert insights, here’s a quick recap of January and September intakes.
Category | January | September |
Best for | Students who want to start later, whether that’s for travel, work, visas, or other reasons | Students who want the traditional university experience |
Admission deadline | Typically between June and November (depending on the university) | Typically between October and February (depending on the university) |
Typical intake size | Usually a smaller cohort compared to the September intake | Largest intake of the year |
Course availability | Usually has fewer courses and programmes, but depends on the university | Widest range of programmes and course options available |
Student experience | Fewer students start at the same time. Orientation and welcome week procedures depend on the university | Comes with a structured orientation experience |
Flexibility before starting | Allows time for gap year activities, internships, and visa delays | Most students transition directly from secondary school or Bachelor’s programmes |
Spring intake vs fall intake: what experts say
We asked experts in which scenarios they recommend January and September intakes. Here’s a summary:
Spring intake (January)
If the university you’re interested in offers a January intake, it can be worth considering, especially if you have a clear reason for starting later. Here are some examples:
You have plans or commitments between September and January
Nora Demleitner, former President of St John’s College, says that starting in January means you can delay your start without losing a whole academic year. “For some, the fall months provide a respite, for others, it allows them to do some travel, take on a job (to save some more money), do an internship, or pursue another passion project. Sometimes health or family issues make a fall start date impossible,” she says.
This also applies if you need extra time to complete your visa process. In this case, it’s best to inform the university as early as possible so they can advise you on the best option.
You’re an older student who’s already working
Jennifer Post Draeger, founder of Bright Outlook Global Prep, an exam preparation and admissions consultancy, highlights that January intake might work better for older students.
“For Master’s candidates who are already working, January start dates might better align with the business cycles at their workplace: finishing out a calendar year at work can feel more normal than leaving in the summer,” she says.
You’ve been offered a great January spot
Another situation is if your dream university offers you a spot for January and not September. In that case, you have two options: accept the January start at that university, or opt for a September start elsewhere. There is no right or wrong answer, and Laurie Kopp Weingarten’s experience with students at One-Stop College Counseling is proof:
“We’ve had several students accept spring admission offers. In nearly every case, it was because the university was the student's first-choice school. They would prefer to start in the spring rather than choose another university. Most are having positive experiences, although we’ve also seen students enroll elsewhere with plans to transfer to the delayed-admission school and then decide they were happy where they were and remain at their original institution.”
Fall intake (September)
September is the most popular time to start university, and often the best option if you’d like the full experience: moving in, going through orientation, and finishing your degree with your peers. Let’s check out the following scenarios:
You need more support throughout the university experience
University is a big change for first-timers, and even more for international students. From making friends to picking your courses, everything is new, exciting, and a bit stressful. As September is a more common start time, it usually means a more structured welcome week, orientation, and student experience. John Morganelli, Jr., former Director of Admissions at Cornell University, who’s currently working at Ivy Tutors Network, puts it this way:
“Fall start comes with built-in social scaffolding: move-in week, orientation programming, a cohort of peers all equally disoriented at the same moment. January strips most of that away. If a student needs that structure to get engaged, spring admission is a harder road. If they’re the kind of person who can walk into a running campus and plug in on their own terms, January can actually be an advantage.”
That said, some universities do have long-standing January programmes, which may mean a similar structure to September programmes. If this is an important factor for you, make sure to check it with your university.
You want a large selection of courses and degree programmes
Especially for undergraduate studies, September often offers the broadest range of programmes and courses. If your chosen degree programme isn’t widely available for the January cohort, September will be a better fit.
Other intakes
Keep in mind that the academic year is organised differently around the world. In Japan, for example, universities typically start in April and end in March. If you’re considering alternative study abroad destinations beyond the US, Canada, and Europe, this is something to keep in mind.
Depending on the destination, shorter courses and degrees may also be more spread out around the year. This could be the case for graduate diplomas, graduate certificates, lifelong learning programmes, and short courses.
Next steps
Start by researching the availability of your chosen degree in January and September. If it’s available in both cohorts, consider:
- If you’d prefer some extra time between summer and starting university
- If having the traditional university experience is important for you
- If you have other commitments, such as work, family, or internships
FAQs
Can I start university in January?
Yes, starting university in January is becoming more common around the world, as more universities introduce spring intakes. This is especially a good option for students who have plans or commitments after summer, such as travelling, navigating visa processes, or working.
Are universities still accepting applications for January?
If you’d like to apply for a university’s January intake, the deadline is usually between June and November of the previous year. For September, the deadline tends to be between October and February. Always verify deadlines on your university’s official page, so you can plan ahead.
