May Intake Universities in UK
- Last Updated on: December 8, 2025 by
- Sridhar Kongara
May intake Universities in UK offers a useful third entry point for students who do not want to wait for the traditional September intake or have missed the January intake. While it is smaller than the main intakes, the May intake gives international students and especially Indian students a fresh window to start their higher education journey without losing a full academic year.
Many UK universities now spread their undergraduate and postgraduate courses across several entry points in the year. This pattern helps overseas students match their study plans with exam schedules & funding timelines. For applicants planning to study in UK in popular disciplines such as computer science, business administration, health sciences, data science, civil engineering, or international business, the May intake can be a smart and flexible route.
This guide explains why May intake is worth considering, which universities offering programs in May, the type of intake courses available, and how to plan your application process for May 2026. The focus is on clear, fact-based guidance for international students who want to understand real options, not just marketing claims.
Overview
Covers why the UK May intake is a smart alternate entry for international/Indian students who miss September or January.
Lists key May intake universities (including London) and highlights options offering placement/advanced practice.
Summarises popular May intake courses across business, computing/data, engineering, marketing, and health-related fields.
Provides a clear May 2026 application timeline plus a quick comparison of September vs January vs May intakes with FAQs.
Why choose May intake in UK?
For many applicants, the may intake feels like a second chance. Some students are not ready for the September intake because of late exam results, finance planning or delays in test scores. Others may miss the January intake due to visa issues or personal reasons. The May window lets such students restart their academic journey within the same year instead of waiting for next intake.
- Extra opportunity: The UK mainly runs three intakes: September intake, January intake and May intake. While September or January intakes offers most undergraduate courses and postgraduate programs, the May entry fills the gap and is especially handy for career changers and working professionals.
- Flexible start: For Indian students, the May window aligns well with local exam boards and results. Students who finish bachelor’s degrees or final year exams early in the year can move straight into a master’s during the may intake instead of waiting until September. This is also useful for applicants from other countries where result timelines do not match the UK schedule.
- Smaller classes and fewer applicants: The may intake usually has fewer applicants and fewer students on each course compared with the September intake. This often means more interaction with staff, quicker feedback and easier access to labs or project supervision. Summer intake tends to be less crowded than the other two main intakes.
- Strong links to the job market: Many universities offering may intake design their postgraduate courses to match skills shortages in the UK job market and the broader job market in business, tech and healthcare. Degrees such as MSc international business, MSc computer science, MSc marketing, MSc mechanical engineering, MSc big data technologies, data analytics, and programmes in health sciences and hospitality and tourism management are shaped with employers in mind. This is important for students planning to stay on the graduate route after their UK student visa studies and seek roles in the UK job market.
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List of May Intake Universities in UK
Not all the universities in the UK run a May start, but several UK universities now do so across London and other regions.
| S.no | University Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry University (including London campus) |
| 2 | Northumbria University (London campus and main campus) |
| 3 | Ulster University branch campuses in London and Birmingham |
| 4 | University of East London |
| 5 | Sheffield Hallam University |
| 6 | Brunel University, London |
| 7 | Ravensbourne University |
| 8 | London Metropolitan University |
| 9 | Middlesex University, London |
| 10 | University of Bedfordshire |
| 11 | University of Sunderland |
| 12 | University of Buckingham |
| 13 | University of Cumbria |
| 14 | University of Law |
| 15 | Regent College London |
| 16 | Canterbury Christ Church University |
| 17 | Heriot Watt University |
| 18 | Oxford Brookes University |
| 19 | University of Hull |
| 20 | University of Portsmouth |
| 21 | University of Wolverhampton |
| 22 | Anglia Ruskin University |
| 23 | Teesside University |
| 24 | University of the West of Scotland |
| 25 | University of Roehampton |
| 26 | Cardiff Metropolitan University |
| 27 | University of Chester |
| 28 | University of Wales Trinity Saint David |
| 29 | BPP University |
| 30 | Arden University |
| 31 | Glasgow Caledonian University (including London campus) |
For Indian students, universities such as Coventry university, University of East London, Sheffield Hallam University and Oxford Brookes University, Teesside University are popular because of their strong links with industry, practical focus and active support for international students.
Some of these Universities accepts MOI as well as Duolingo scores as well.
According to the recent QS world university rankings, institutions such as Brunel University London, Ulster University, Coventry University and Northumbria University sit in the global top 600 and has May intakes in specialist areas like business, data science and marketing.
May intake Universities in UK with Placement
Below mentioned Universities in UK offers programs in May with Placement
- University of East London
- Sheffield Hallam University
- University of Liverpool
- Oxford Brookes University
- Coventry University (main campus & London)
- Northumbria University (London & Newcastle)
- Ulster University (Manchester, Birmingham, London)
- University of Portsmouth
- Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge & Chelmsford)
- Teesside University (main campus & London)
- University of Roehampton
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
- University of Bedfordshire
- University of Chester
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Popular Programs Available for May Intake in UK
The may intake is smaller than the autumn intake but still covers a wide range of postgraduate programs and selected undergraduate courses. Course lists change every intake, yet some courses remain common.
1. Business, management and international trade
Many UK universities offer business-focused degrees in May, especially at master’s level. Popular options include:
- MSc international business and related pathways
- BSc Business Management, BA Global business management in selected UK universities
- Business administration routes at both bachelor and master level
- Degrees that combine MSc Entrepreneurship with innovation and start-up skills
- MBA programs with or without work placement options
These programmes attract many international students, especially Indian students, who want strong links to employers and case-based teaching.
2. Computing, data and engineering
The May window is important for technical programmes, where demand in the job market is strong:
- computer science degrees, including MSc computer science
- Specialist data science, data analytics and MSc big data technologies routes
- civil engineering, general engineering and design-based degrees
- MSc mechanical engineering and other advanced engineering routes
Such postgraduate programs are common available at May intake, where faculty often bring real industry projects into the classroom.
3. Marketing, HR, tourism and social sciences
On the business side, UK institutions offer:
- MSc marketing with digital, branding or analytics focus
- Human resource management with advanced practice or placement tracks
- Hospitality and tourism management at master’s level
- International relations and politics, often linked to global policy and diplomacy
4. Health, nursing and allied sciences
A number of may intake universities also schedule health sciences programmes for May. Examples in recent cycles include nursing conversion degrees and practice-based master’s routes for registered professionals.
Across all of these areas, teaching usually follows an interactive teaching methodology, with seminars, group projects and workshops rather than only lectures. This helps international students adjust faster, speak up in class and build confidence.
May Intake Universities in the UK for Bachelors
At bachelor level, the may intake is more limited than for masters, yet there are still options. May intake universities such as Coventry University, Ulster University, Teesside University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Anglia Ruskin University, University of Wolverhampton, University of Portsmouth, and University of East London offers may starts for selected business, IT and foundation routes.
Typical May bachelor options include:
- BSc Business Management.
- BA Global Business Management
- Top-up degrees in business administration, finance or marketing
- Conversion undergraduate courses for students moving from a diploma or HND
Because the list of bachelor-level courses can change from year to year, applicants must treat previous intakes only as a guide. The safest step is to shortlist a preferred university, then check the May 2026 course list.
For Indian students, May bachelor starts are useful when local exam results or visa timelines do not fit the September or January intake. They are also helpful for students switching subject area, for example from commerce into computer science or civil engineering.
May Intake Universities in the UK for Masters
Most activity in the may intake happens at master’s level, where postgraduate courses and postgraduate programs are more modular and easier to start at different points in the year.
Recent May intakes at Northumbria university, ulster university, Coventry university, Brunel University London and other top UK universities have featured course lists such as:
- MSc international business and other international business routes, sometimes with advanced practice or internship
- MSc computer science, data science, data analytics and MSc big data technologies
- MSc marketing with digital, analytics or branding focus
- Business administration and MBA programs, often with placement
- Engineering degrees such as MSc mechanical engineering and specialist civil engineering master’s
- Human resource management, international relations, hospitality and tourism management, health sciences and other professional routes
Some of these master’s degrees include an advanced practice element where you spend extra time on internship, consultancy projects or research. Placement option enable students to link with employers as early as possible.
Difference between intakes in UK and whom it suits
The table below gives a simple comparison of the three main intakes and the type of students each suits.
| Intake in the UK | Typical start | Who it suits most | Course availability | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September intake | September / October | School leavers starting bachelor’s, and most master’s applicants | Widest range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses; most business management, engineering, IT and health sciences | Main fall intake; strongest campus life and society activity |
| January intake | January / February | Students who finished studies or English tests late; career changers | Good range of master’s and some bachelor’s; strong in business administration, computing and business management | Useful backup if you miss September; some courses not offered |
| May intake | April / May / early June | Indian students and other international students who want a quick start without waiting; working professionals | Smaller but growing range of postgraduate programs, especially international business, computer science, data science, civil engineering, health sciences and human resource management | Smaller classes, fewer applicants, often more personal support but limited choices compared with September intake |
In short, intake UK universities design their calendars so that applicants with different backgrounds can still find a start point that matches exams, finances and work timelines. For many, the May intake suits nicely between the crowded September or January intakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the disadvantages of the May intake in the UK?
The main limitation of the may intake is that fewer courses and fewer institutions take part compared with the September intake or January intake. Some niche subjects open only in autumn, and campus events can be quieter. May intake universities may also have tighter application deadlines because they must issue CAS and visas in a shorter window. Still, for many international students, the benefits of smaller groups, closer contact with staff and faster entry into higher education outweigh these points.
Is May intake suitable for bachelor programs?
Yes, but choices are more limited. Selected UK universities offer bachelor routes in business, IT and related fields for the may intake, often through top-up or extended degrees. This can suit Indian students who are changing stream or who receive exam results too late for the September intake but do not want to delay their academic journey. Always check course lists on each university site for the exact May 2026 availability.
Are there placement courses available for May intake in UK universities?
Yes, many business and tech master’s degrees in the may intake include internships, advanced practice or professional practice options. For example, some postgraduate courses in business management, business administration, data science, data analytics, human resource management, health sciences and engineering at Coventry university, Northumbria university and ulster university offer either a placement year or an advanced practice project instead of a traditional dissertation.
Are MBA courses available in the UK for May intake 2026?
Yes, several UK universities run MBA programs during the May intake, especially in London and other big cities. MBAs and other business administration master’s at institutions such as the University of East London, Teesside University, Sheffield Hallam University, Coventry University and Anglia Ruskin University, often with placement options to add work experience or professional projects.
Which universities in London offer May intake in 2026?
London-based may intake universities include Coventry university (London campus), Northumbria university (London campus), Brunel University London, London Metropolitan University, Middlesex University London, Regent College London, University of East London, Glasgow Caledonian’s London campus and few other universities.
Is the May intake good for international students?
- For international students, the may intake is a strong choice when they want to:
- Avoid waiting a full year after missing September or January intakes
- Study in smaller groups with more direct contact time
Target skill-focused degrees in international business, MSc international business, business management, business administration, computer science, data science, data analytics, MSc computer science, MSc marketing, international relations, health sciences, civil engineering, or engineering with advanced practice
The UK remains one of the most prominent study abroad destinations for students seeking quality education, modern facilities and strong links to employers. With careful planning, the May intake lets you join reputed UK universities on programs that are closely linked to the real job market, build global skills and take a confident step toward your long-term career goals.
