2027 intakes for the UK, Canada and Australia: what the data says about deadlines
We looked at the 2027 intakes and application deadlines of more than 26,000 courses in the Abroadesk catalog. Here is when courses start, how early applications close, and what that means for your counselors' calendar.
By Abroadesk team · · 3 min read · বাংলায় পড়ুন
The question every counselor hears: "When should I apply?" The honest answer depends on the destination and the intake, so we went to the data. These figures come from the Abroadesk course catalog in October 2026: 20,719 UK courses at 184 universities, 1,377 Canadian courses at 39 institutions and 4,593 Australian courses at 36 universities with intakes in 2027.
When courses start in 2027
United Kingdom
| Intake | Courses starting |
|---|---|
| September 2027 | 12,962 |
| January 2027 | 9,727 |
| May 2027 | 3,520 |
| August 2027 | 3,157 |
| June 2027 | 2,944 |
| March 2027 | 2,909 |
September is still the main intake, but January is far from a small alternative: for every four courses starting in September, three start in January. May and summer starts are mostly pathway, foundation and one-year master's courses.
Canada
| Intake | Courses starting |
|---|---|
| September 2027 | 1,125 |
| January 2027 | 911 |
| May 2027 | 576 |
Canada runs on three intakes. Colleges in particular offer many programmes in January and May as well as September.
Australia
| Intake | Courses starting |
|---|---|
| July 2027 | 2,774 |
| March 2027 | 2,105 |
| February 2027 | 2,086 |
| November 2027 | 662 |
Australia's academic year starts in February or March, with a second main intake in July. Students used to the UK calendar are often caught out by this.
How early do applications close?
Looking at courses that publish an application deadline, the typical (median) gap between the deadline and the start date is:
| Destination and intake | Deadline before the start date |
|---|---|
| UK, September | about 59 days |
| UK, January | about 46 days |
| UK, May | about 106 days |
| Canada, September | about 50 days |
| Canada, January | about 46 days |
| Australia, July | about 69 days |
| Australia, February | about 49 days |
These are the last dates universities list for applications, not good dates to apply. Popular courses fill earlier, scholarships often close months before, and the visa takes its own time after the offer. A September UK student who applies in July is legally on time and practically late.
A planning calendar for September 2027 UK starts
| Month | What should happen |
|---|---|
| October to December 2026 | Shortlist courses, book IELTS, prepare SOP |
| December 2026 to February 2027 | Submit applications; aim for offers before scholarship deadlines |
| March to May 2027 | Accept an offer, pay the deposit, request the CAS |
| May to June 2027 | Arrange funds so 28 days are held before applying |
| June to July 2027 | TB test, visa application, biometrics |
| August 2027 | Visa decision, accommodation, travel |
For January 2028 starts, shift the whole calendar four months later.
What this means for agencies
- Plan two cycles a year for the UK. With nearly 10,000 January courses, agencies that only push September leave half the year empty.
- Keep Australia on its own calendar. Its intakes don't line up with the UK or Canada.
- Track every deadline per student. A course's listed deadline is the last chance, so set your own earlier date and remind the student well before it.
Every course in Abroadesk's course finder shows its intakes, campus and four deadlines: application, deposit, CAS or I-20, and enrolment. Counselors see upcoming deadlines on their own list a week ahead.
Method: intake and deadline data for 2027 from the Abroadesk catalog as of October 2026, counted per course. Medians use courses that list an application deadline. Always confirm dates with the university before a student applies.