Many UK unis have courses with a January intake. Find out why a later start might suit you and which unis offer popular undergraduate degrees starting in January.
It might come as a surprise to discover you can start a UK university degree in January, given the normal academic year runs from September. But that鈥檚 not the case elsewhere in the world, where the hot seasons mean January is a more common start date. And while it鈥檚 more common for postgraduate courses, many universities offer undergraduate degrees with January intakes 鈥� particularly in popular subjects.
For international students from these nations, a degree with a January start means they don鈥檛 have to wait months to fit in with the UK academic system.
UK student can also benefit from starting a university degree in January, if you already have your exam results. For example:
If you miss out on a place in Clearing
If personal circumstances delay you from starting uni in September
If you start a course in September but quickly decide it鈥檚 not right for you
If you鈥檙e a mature student who鈥檚 not tied to the usual academic year
It means you don鈥檛 have to wait until the next September to further your education.
If you start a degree in January, you may have fewer students on your course, meaning you鈥檒l get more personalised teaching and support.
And one of the greatest advantages is finishing your degree in December. This means you鈥檒l enter the job market months ahead of other graduates, so you鈥檒l face less competition.
Students may wonder if a degree starting in January is the same as those run in September. But they are always full degrees, covering the same learning.
Popular undergraduate subjects include nursing, allied health courses, business, accounting and law
At some unis, a January start for degrees is nearly as common as a September one
Courses may include foundation, bachelor and top-up degrees
You鈥檒l still have access to placements if they are a part of your course, such as nursing
Most degrees will have the same number of modules and the same level of teaching as a September start
Some might be fast-track, with intensive learning to complete your studies in less time
Either way, you鈥檒l still study a full syllabus and qualify with a degree at the end of your course.
There are some differences. For example you might study over the summer vacation and instead have longer breaks between terms or semesters.
It鈥檚 important to do your research though. Not all degree subjects are available with a January entry. And not all universities offer this option. You won鈥檛 find a January start for an undergraduate degree at Oxford or Cambridge, or indeed at any Russell Group university.
If a January start doesn鈥檛 work for you, some subjects 鈥� such as nursing 鈥� may have different intakes throughout the year.
Or, if you prefer to wait until September, use your time to build up your funds ahead of starting university then. You can also explore other ways of studying, such as part-time, online, or taking a degree apprenticeship.
UK-resident students who are eligible for student finance can still get a loan to start their degree in January. Payments are in line with term dates as advised by your uni. After approving your loan, payments normally start four weeks before your start date.
If you originally had a place on a course starting in September, it depends on your personal circumstances:
If you weren鈥檛 able to start your course but instead begin in January at the same uni: You may be able to change the course intake date on your student finance account
If you began a course but change your mind and start another with a January intake: You may need to withdraw from your original course and start the new one afresh. This means you lose your 鈥榚xtra year鈥� of funding 鈥� but that extra year exists for reasons such as this, i.e. enabling students to change to another degree
Individual circumstances vary, so you should use the above only as a guide. What actually happens will depend on your university and student finance.
After graduation, it鈥檚 worth knowing that your loan repayments may start sooner than for September students. All full-time degree students become eligible for repayments the April after they finish. But payments are only taken once your income is over the repayment threshold.
One area of concern to students is whether they鈥檒l be able to find accommodation at that time of year.
Look for accommodation as soon as possible, a few months before your course starts
Some unis keep accommodation for their January intake 鈥� but they may reserve it for postgraduate students, so be sure to check. Note when accommodation applications open and their deadline, to ensure you don鈥檛 miss out
If university accommodation is available, the contract will run from January to December
Private providers may also offer January contract starts
Or you may be able to take over a tenancy from another student, such as someone finishing a January course or about to study abroad/go on a placement
If you are struggling to find accommodation, most unis have a team who can provide advice on finding housing in the area.
If you鈥檙e starting your degree in January, you might be a bit worried about how easily you鈥檒l settle into university life and make friends.
It鈥檚 true that January intakes may have more international students on them, but you鈥檙e likely to find a mix of students from the UK too. If you鈥檙e in a smaller cohort, you may get to know your fellow students better. Knowing international students helps you learn about other cultures and broaden your horizons.
Your uni will give an induction when you start your course, where you鈥檒l meet your course mates and tutors. Some universities even run a second Welcome Week, with campus tours or social events. Examples include the University of Dundee and the University of East Anglia.
You can also join student societies, which will help you make friends with students outside of your course. And of course, no matter when you start your course, you can access student support services and careers support.
Applications for degrees starting in January should usually be made directly to the university itself. You can find extra details about how to apply and individual deadlines on their websites. If you choose to apply through UCAS, there may be extra deadlines. It鈥檚 best to check with the university to decide on the most suitable route.
If you have already started a degree and want to swap, read our guide on how to transfer.
We鈥檝e listed some of the most popular subjects and universities offering degrees at this time of year. Courses may include various types, and this isn鈥檛 a comprehensive list. For full details, visit the individual university website.
This includes courses such as business management, management and leadership and business enterprise.鈥疌heck our rankings for Business & Management Studies.
