© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Piyush Kumar
According to the data shared by the government in Rajya Sabha, over 1.3 million Indian students were studying in foreign universities in 2024. Going abroad for an undergraduate degree is an important decision. However, their journey starts long before they step into a foreign university. The process involves meticulous planning, research, and preparation to secure admission to a top institution. But when is the right time to start? The simple answer: as early as possible.
Since the application process for each country varies in timelines and requirements, timely planning is essential.
Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand remain some of the most popular destinations for Indian students. Getting into highly acclaimed universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Imperial College London, Harvard University, University of Oxford takes time, dedication and effort, and early preparation for the exams. Admission deadlines vary by country, university, and programme, so it is essential to research specific timelines well in advance to ensure a smooth application process
Unlike single intake in the Indian education ecosystem, foreign universities have various intakes in an academic year. Most colleges in the UK, the US, Canada and Australia have two intakes – Fall and Spring.
Fall Intake 2025: It usually begins in late August or early September and goes on till late December. The intake coincides with the normal academic year in most nations. Fall intake offers a chance for students to start studying in the first semester or trimester of the academic year. It is the most sought-after intake for most students as it offers ample time for them to acclimatise to a new environment, adapt to the academic system, and network with other students.
Spring Intake 2025: The Spring intake is the second prominent study abroad intake, usually running from January till early May. This intake is suitable for students who prefer to start studying in the second semester or trimester of the academic year. The Spring intake offers a chance for students to join ongoing academic programmes and benefit from the available courses and activities during the period.
Summer Intake 2025: The Summer intake is a brief one, typically from May to July or August. It is for students who are looking for short summer courses around a certain topic or to discover a new field of study or to participate in experiential learning activities. It can be language training, research internships, or short-term study programmes where students can earn credit during their break.
The US application process takes a minimum of one year to prepare. It is recommended to consider universities, standardised tests (SAT/ACT/, IELTS), and application requirements before 12th grade. By the middle of the year, students should start taking standardised tests and narrowing down their university choices.
Application portals typically open around August 1, with Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) deadlines falling in November. For Early Admissions and University funding decisions are released in December. Regular Decision (RD) deadlines range from January to March, making it crucial to have personal statements, recommendation letters, and transcripts ready well in advance.
The UK is known for its academic excellence. According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, some of the top universities like include Imperial College London (#2), University of Oxford (#3), and University of Cambridge (#5), UCL (#9), are in the UK. The primary intake for undergraduate courses is September when all universities and courses are open. The January intake is another important option, with around 50% of universities offering select courses. However, the May intake is not for undergraduate programmes in the UK.
The UK processes its undergraduate admissions applications through the UCAS system. And students can also make direct applications to universities in some cases. Applications can be initiated from June onwards, and students are advised to apply while still in school (Class 12), with 1st deadline on 15th October. Oxbridge (Oxford and Cambridge) and medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science courses have an earlier deadline of October 15th. The ideal time to start preparing is in 11th grade by researching universities, maintaining strong academic records, and engaging in extracurricular activities. Students should take their English proficiency tests and start drafting personal statements by mid-12th grade to meet early deadlines.
If we look at Great Britain, the number of years required to complete an undergraduate degree varies by country. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, most undergraduate programmes take three years, while in Scotland, they typically take four years.
Canadian universities allow students to apply based on predicted scores for Undergraduate degrees, with deadlines for the September intake typically falling between January and February. It’s crucial to have an IELTS score ready by this time, as most universities require proof of English proficiency. Interestingly, Canadian colleges are accepting a two-year gap after 12th grade, provided it is justified. Thus, being accommodating to students who might have taken a break between school and higher studies.
Given the competitive nature of admissions, students should begin researching universities, understand admission criteria, and start preparing application materials etc. well in advance. The three main intakes for Canada are Fall (September), Winter (January), and Summer (May). Some of the highest-ranked universities in Canada are the University of Toronto (#25), McGill University (#29), and the University of British Columbia (#38) (QS World University Rankings 2025)
Australian universities have two major commencement intakes for most of the programs: July and February, and some universities also have November for select courses. Students should ideally start preparations at least 8-9 months prior. Students should meet an educational counsellor for a UG course at the beginning of 12th grade or for a PG course at the beginning of the final semester of college.
Australian universities allow students to apply with predicted grades, and as such, good academic grades throughout high school years are of prime importance. Along with academic preparation, students need to focus on English proficiency tests, financial planning, and visa applications to facilitate smooth processing. Applications should be submitted well in advance in order to get placements and scholarships into the preferred institutions and programs. Visa may take upto 12 weeks, hence being on time is critical.
The University of Melbourne (#13), The University of Sydney (#18), and The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) (#19) are some of the top universities in Australia. (*QS world university rankings 2025)
The academic year in Ireland is divided into two intakes: the Autumn or September intake and the Spring or February intake. In Ireland, application for undergraduate programs typically begins in October-November, and application portals are available for September intake. Students will have to apply with transcripts based on their 9th, 10th, 11th result and 12th-predicted grades. Apart from that, they will have to submit a Letter of Recommendation from their school on official letterhead, as part of the documents. With all these documents, it is best to begin preparing the application documents the very day students get their 12th grade Mid Term results so that all the documents are ready well before the application portal opens.
Student can submit applications while pursuing their 12th grade and will receive a conditional offer letter and can pay the acceptance deposit to hold their place on the programme. This Acceptance deposit is refundable if the conditions to the offer is not met or the visa is refused.
Upon successfully meeting the conditions of the offer which is generally meeting the academic score (12th results), universities release unconditional offer letters.
New Zealand offers multiple intakes for international students, including Semester One (Autumn) starting in February or March, Semester Two (Spring) beginning in July or August, and rolling intakes that provide flexible start dates throughout the year.
Students applying for the February intake typically begin the process after receiving their Board results in May or June. For the July intake, preparation should start by September or October of the previous year to ensure all requirements are met on time.
Starting early is the key to a smooth study abroad journey. With application timelines, entrance exams, and documentation varying across countries, proper planning ensures students meet deadlines without last-minute stress. Researching universities, preparing for standardised tests, and organising financials well in advance significantly enhance admission chances.
Each intake offers unique opportunities, so students should align their applications with academic goals and career aspirations and can maximise their chances of securing admission to top universities and make the transition to international education seamless and rewarding.
The author is the regional director – South Asia, Canada, LATAM, and Mauritius, IDP Education
