Missed the September or January intake? Don’t worry, the May intake in the UK (2026) is an excellent alternative that allows Indian students to start studies in the summer term at selected UK universities.
In this guide by Blue Ribbon Overseas, you’ll find:
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Top universities accepting May 2026 intake
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Application timelines
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Course options
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Costs & eligibility
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Visa rules
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FAQs
1. What Is the May Intake in the UK?
The May Intake (also called Summer Intake) is a limited intake period offered by select UK universities for:
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Business degrees
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MBA programs
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Management diplomas
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Foundation & pathway programs
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IT & data programs (select universities)
May Intake Semester Timeline
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | November – February |
| Offer Letters Issued | January – March |
| Visa Applications | March – April |
| Course Start Date | Late April – May 2026 |
✅ May intake is perfect for students who missed September or January deadlines.
2. Who Should Choose May Intake UK 2026?
May intake is best for students who:
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Missed Fall or Winter intake deadlines
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Need extra time to prepare IELTS / PTE
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Graduated late in India
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Are looking for quicker admission processing
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Prefer less competition & faster visa results
3. Universities Offering May Intake in UK (2026)
Here are the most popular and reliable universities offering May intake courses for Indian students:
| University | City | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|
| University of Bedfordshire | Luton | MBA, MSc Management, Business Analytics |
| Coventry University | Coventry | MBA, MSc International Business |
| University of the West of England (UWE) | Bristol | MBA, Business Management |
| Northumbria University | Newcastle | MSc Business Management |
| Ulster University | London & Birmingham | MBA Global |
| University of East London (UEL) | London | MBA, MSc Project Management |
| Teesside University | Middlesbrough | MBA, MSc IT Management |
| Anglia Ruskin University | Cambridge | Business & IT |
| University of Greenwich | London | MSc Business Management |
| University of Roehampton | London | MBA, MSc Marketing |
⚠️Not all courses are open for May intake — mainly business & management-focused programs are available.
4. Popular Courses for May Intake 2026
✅ MBA
✅ MSc International Business
✅ MSc Business Management
✅ MSc Marketing
✅ MSc Project Management
✅ MSc Data Analytics
✅ MSc IT Management
✅ Foundation/Pathway Programs
5. UK May Intake Eligibility Criteria
| Requirement | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Academic | Bachelor’s Degree or 60%+ (UG for MSc/MBA) |
| English | IELTS 6.0–6.5 OR PTE 50–58 |
| SOP | Mandatory |
| Work Experience | Not required for most MBA programs |
| Gap Years | Acceptable with valid justification |
✅ Many universities accept students without GMAT or work experience.
6. Tuition Fees for May Intake (2026)
May intake universities tend to be in the budget-to-mid range:
| Course Type | Fee Range |
|---|---|
| MBA | £14,000 – £20,000 |
| MSc Business & Management | £14,500 – £18,000 |
| MSc IT or Data | £15,000 – £19,000 |
| Foundation Programs | £10,000 – £14,000 |
7. Living Costs (Average)
| City | Monthly Cost | Annual Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,100 – £1,500 | £13,000 – £18,000 |
| Birmingham | £800 – £1,000 | £9,600 – £12,000 |
| Coventry | £750 – £950 | £9,000 – £11,000 |
| Newcastle | £750 – £900 | £9,000 – £10,800 |
| Middlesbrough | £650 – £850 | £8,000 – £10,000 |
8. Visa & Work Rules for May Intake
✅ Students entering May intake receive:
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Full Graduate Route Visa (2 years) after course completion
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Right to work 20 hours/week during term
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Full-time work during vacations
✅ May intake graduates receive the same work rights as September or January intake students.
9. May Intake vs September Intake
| Factor | May Intake | September Intake |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | Lower | Very High |
| Scholarships | Limited | Higher availability |
| Course Options | Fewer | Maximum |
| Admission Speed | Faster | Moderate |
| Visa Processing | Easier due to less load | Heavily crowded |
May intake = less stress & faster decisions
FAQs
Q1. Is May intake good for UK?
Yes — especially if you missed other intakes. Quality education and work rights remain the same.
Q2. Are scholarships available for May intake?
Limited scholarships exist — mainly £1,000–£3,000 university bursaries.
Q3. Is PSW available for May intake students?
Yes — you get 2 full years of post-study work visa like any other intake student.
Q4. Can I apply with PTE for May intake?
Yes — PTE scores of 50–58 are accepted by most universities.
Q5. Can I study MBA without experience in May intake?
Yes — universities like Bedfordshire, UEL, Teesside, Coventry accept freshers.
11. Apply for May Intake UK 2026 with Blue Ribbon
At Blue Ribbon Overseas, we help you:
✅ Shortlist the correct May intake universities
✅ Prepare SOP and documents
✅ Get fast offer letters
✅ Apply for UK student visa
✅ Secure accommodation & travel
Start your UK May Intake 2026 journey with a FREE consultation today.
