Most people assume a master's starts in September — and most do. But a surprising number of universities run a second intake, and picking the right entry point can save you a year. Here's how to think about it.
The global pattern
From the intake dates we verify on university pages, the picture is clear:
- September (or October) is the dominant intake across the UK, most of Europe and the US — the UK is September, Oxford and Cambridge start in October, German and Austrian universities begin in October.
- The Nordics start in August.
- Australia and New Zealand run two intakes — typically February and July.
- Korea and Japan commonly offer spring and autumn entry (March/September or April/October).
Each university page on our site shows its programmes' verified intake month(s), so you can plan around the real calendar.
When a second intake helps
A January/February or July intake is worth targeting when:
- You missed the September deadline and don't want to wait a full year.
- You need extra time to retake an English test or finish your current degree.
- A scholarship cycle aligns better with the later start.
The trade‑offs
Second intakes usually offer fewer programmes, sometimes smaller cohorts, and occasionally fewer scholarship options (many awards are tied to the main September intake). Check that funding and your specific programme are available for the intake you want — not just the university in general.
Plan backwards from your intake. Browse verified universities and their intake months on the destinations and university pages, and line up funding deadlines with the scholarship deadline calendar.