In short
Intake months for Australia, Canada, the UK, USA, New Zealand, Germany and Japan, which intake suits which student, and how early to begin applying.
In this article
An intake is the point in the year when a course starts. Choosing the right one affects which courses are open to you, how much time you have for tests and visa work, and when you can start earning after graduation. This guide lists the usual intakes by country and a practical planning timeline.
Intakes at a glance
| Country | Main intake | Other intakes | Start preparing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | February and July | Some providers also offer November or other starts | 5 to 8 months before |
| Canada | September | January, and May for some programmes | 8 to 12 months before |
| United Kingdom | September or October | January for selected courses | 8 to 12 months before |
| United States | Fall (August or September) | Spring (January) at many universities | 10 to 14 months before |
| New Zealand | February and July | Selected providers add other starts | 5 to 8 months before |
| Germany | Winter semester (October) | Summer semester (April) for some courses | 8 to 12 months before |
| Japan | April | October at some universities | 10 to 12 months before |
The "start preparing" column is OEVS's planning guideline, not an official deadline. Application deadlines are set by each university and vary by course, so always check the one you are applying to.
Australia: February and July
February is the main start, followed by July. Australia's National Planning Level for new international students stays at 295,000 for 2027, the same as 2026, according to the Australian Government. It is a planning tool for providers rather than a student cap, but it is one more reason to apply early and keep your documents ready.
Canada: September first
September has the widest choice of programmes. Many students also start in January. Study permits are limited by the national cap, and most students at undergraduate and college level need a provincial attestation letter, so leave extra time. Our Canada rules guide covers the details.
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United Kingdom: September, with January for some
September or October is standard. If you plan to use the Graduate Route, read our Graduate Route guide, because the post-study period changes for those who apply from January 2027.
United States: Fall, with Spring at many universities
US applications take the longest because of tests, essays and recommendation letters. Applying a full year ahead is common. See our USA page for OPT and work rules.
New Zealand, Germany and Japan
New Zealand runs on February and July starts. Germany works on semesters, so October is the main entry with April for some courses, and a blocked account is part of the visa process. Japan's main start is April, and the MEXT scholarship has its own timeline, covered in our MEXT guide.
How to pick your intake
- Count back from the start date and list every step: English test, documents, applications, funds, visa.
- Check that your IELTS or PTE score will be valid on the application date.
- Choose the earlier intake if you are still deciding on funds or tests and a delay would cost you a year.
- Choose the later intake if rushing would weaken your SOP or your documents.