Studying in the UK is a dream for many Indian students, but the cost of education can be a big concern. Tuition fees, living expenses, and visa costs make scholarships very important. One key factor that many students ignore is choosing the right UK intake for scholarships.
Different UK intakes offer different levels of scholarship availability. If you choose the right intake and apply early, you can significantly reduce your study cost.
In this article, we will explain UK intakes with best scholarship opportunities for Indian students, compare September, January, and May intakes, and help you choose the best intake for maximum scholarships.
UK universities offer three main intakes every year:
These are also called upcoming intakes in UK for indian students. Each intake has different advantages, but when it comes to scholarships, all intakes are not equal.
The UK September intake is the best intake for Indian students looking for scholarships.
Best for:
UG and PG students who want maximum scholarship options and top universities.
The UK January intake is the second-best option for scholarships, but availability is limited compared to September.
Many universities offer scholarships for January intake in courses like:
However, UG scholarships are rare in January intake.
Best for:
PG students who missed September intake but still want some scholarship support.
The UK May intake has the least scholarship opportunities.
Not recommended if scholarships are your top priority.
| Factor | September Intake | January Intake | May Intake |
| Scholarship Availability | Very High | Medium | Low |
| UG Scholarships | Yes | Rare | No |
| PG Scholarships | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Competition | High | Medium | Low |
| Universities | Almost All | Selected | Very Few |
September Intake (Best option)
January Intake (Limited but useful)
May Intake (Only if course is available)
To improve your chances of getting scholarships in any UK intake:
Many scholarships close before admission deadlines, so early planning is crucial.
For Indian students looking for maximum scholarship opportunities, the UK September intake is clearly the best choice. It offers the highest number of scholarships, widest course options, and access to top universities.
The UK January intake can be a good backup option, especially for PG students, but scholarship options are limited. The May intake should be chosen only if scholarships are not a priority.