Study Abroad Intakes: Fall Intake vs Spring Intake

A college or university intake season is the particular period in which new students are admitted into different courses. The Fall vs Spring debate has always confused international students. Let’s understand what Fall Intake means and what Spring Intake means and their differences and when should an international applicant apply for admissions abroad.

Studying in another country is a great chance for many students, thus, knowing when the intakes are – fall or spring, is very important to plan your studying. Usually, there are two broad intakes abroad - one is Fall and the other is Spring. The Fall Intake which starts in September is preferable than intakes starting in other months because of the opportunities for course selection, scholarship availability, and job openings are better when linked with the academic year. 

On the other hand, the Spring Intake, starting in January, offers flexibility for students who need more time to prepare or have missed fall deadlines. While some argue that fall is better due to its popularity and extensive course offerings, spring can be advantageous for those seeking less competition and smaller class sizes. 

Ultimately, the choice between fall and spring depends on individual circumstances, academic goals, and personal commitments, making it essential for prospective students to weigh their options carefully. These intakes may be referred to by different names across various countries based on the month in which these intakes begin. Applicants who are planning to apply abroad will have to check a couple of things. Check out this article to understand in which intake should international students apply. 

Meaning of Intake in University Abroad

The meaning of intake in a university abroad is the time when the applicants wish to take admission. The university may divide its intake seasons based on months or seasons. Thus, applicants who are aiming to apply for admission have to check when and how they are willing to apply for admission abroad. 

Some university intakes may be referred to as January/February intake (like in Australia, and New Zealand) or Fall intake (USA, Canada, Italy) and July intake (Australia, New Zealand). Thus, there are variations with each country. 

Study Abroad Intakes (Fall Intake and Spring Intake)

Most foreign universities have two admission intakes every year, for all classes and courses. There are two main reasons why universities accept students in two study abroad intakes:

• It is not easy to accommodate too many students in a single semester. Most international universities receive thousands of applications every year, so obviously it will be quite a task to admit so many students at a time.
• There could be various reasons why many students do not have the option to apply for Fall Intake 2024. This is why universities accept those who could not apply during the Fall Intake.

What is the meaning of Fall 2024 intake?

Fall Intake means university admissions for courses that start between September and December. Here are certain features of the Fall Intake:

• Fall Intake months are from September to December.
• Every University offers courses in the Fall Intake. Moreover, almost all the courses are available in the Fall Intake.
• Fall Intake sees the maximum number of applications, thus leading to stiff competition, a lower acceptance rate, and a larger class size.
• The majority of the scholarships are available in the Fall Intake.

What does Spring intake mean?

In the case of the USA, Spring Intake months are from January to April/May. In the case of Canada and the UK, these months are called Winter Intake. For the sake of simplicity, we will refer to it as Spring Intake only. Here are some features of the Spring Intake:

• January to April/May = Spring Intake (USA) = Winter Intake (Canada and the UK)
• Spring Intake is available in a large number of Universities.
• Certain countries such as Finland, consider the Spring Intake as an extension of the Fall Intake.
• A smaller number of courses are available as compared to the Fall Intake.
• Indian students, who graduate around May/June, get more time to prepare for exams and the application process.

Let us discuss which study abroad intake should you apply for and why.

Fall vs Spring Intake

Let's have a look at some of the notable differences between Fall and Spring intakes abroad in the section below:

1. Universities: You first need to check whether the universities of your choice accept applications for both the study abroad intakes. A significant number of top 100 universities do not have any admission open for the Spring Intake. And it is not easy to figure out which universities have different intakes and which don’t as the university websites can be compared to a very complicated maze. So, if you wish to apply for the Spring Intake, you should do thorough research to find out the available study-abroad intakes. You should do this before you even begin preparing for exams like IELTS, TOEFL, or GMAT. This early decision will help you determine if you have enough time to prepare for the exams. Check out which exam to take from IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Academic.

2. Acceptance Rate: Many students have questions in their minds about the season intake which is best for a particular country. For example, if someone is interested in studying at a Canadian university, one can consider asking about the study abroad intakes in Canada. There is always a question of Fall v/s Spring Intake in the mind. Many universities have allotted quotas of admissions for each semester. The fact that the class sizes are much larger for the Fall Intake means you might have a better chance of getting admitted then. If your profile is above average or spectacular, then the odds will be in your favour for the Spring Intake.

3. Job Opportunities: Job fairs and campus recruitments usually occur during the second year, which means you will have completed three semesters if you are in the Fall Intake, and two semesters for the Spring Intake. Those who have spent three semesters will have more advantage over those with two semesters because that extra semester will boost your profile, and enhance your academic CV (student CV) as you have finished more projects, have more leadership roles, done more activities, etc. These little extras will help you gain an advantage over those from the Spring Intake.

4. Assistantships: Since the academic session technically starts with the Fall Intake, there will likely be more opportunities for students to obtain on-campus jobs and internships, especially for research-based courses. A lot of professors begin their research at the start of the academic year and do not recruit new assistants in the middle of the year. So definitely are more opportunities to become research assistants or teaching assistants during the Fall Intake.

5. Courses: Universities usually offer a lot more courses for the Fall Intake applicants, so you will have much more courses to choose from. The period of Fall Intake months last from September to December. It also means that if you are looking for an unusual course that is not chosen by a lot of students, there are higher chances it won’t not available in the Spring Intake. For example, the January intake in UK 2023 has fewer subjects to choose from as compared to September Intake. 

6. Extracurricular Activities: If you give a lot of importance to extracurricular activities, joining organizations and student clubs, then applying for the Fall Intake may be the best option. It will be quite difficult to shoulder leadership roles in student clubs if you join the excitement later on. But if you aim to just be a part of an organization, then it doesn’t matter much. Learn how Admission Officers Evaluate Your Application: Extracurricular Activities.

7. Graduation: Sometimes, universities are flexible enough to allow you to complete your entire post-graduate degree in three semesters. If you can do that, you can start earning faster. But it is easier to graduate in three semesters if you are in the Fall Intake, since you will finish your course by the next Spring Intake, and will still have a few months before campus recruiting begins. In those months you could apply for an internship or any part-time job.

8. Study Visa: Whether you will be issued a student visa or not depends entirely on your overall profile, and your university profile, and not on when you choose to apply. So you are safe to apply for a visa no matter what intake you choose.

9. Readiness: Most students apply for the Fall Intake since they finish their undergrad degree in May/June. Students need more time to settle down. If you feel you are not ready to start your studies by September, then there is no point in hurrying your applications.

Which intake is better, fall or spring?

When considering whether to pursue a fall or spring intake for studying abroad, students often weigh their options based on various factors, including course availability, competition, and personal circumstances.

The fall intake, starting in September, is generally preferred due to its wider range of courses, more scholarship opportunities, and alignment with the academic calendar, which often coincides with job recruitment cycles.

On the other hand the spring intake, beginning in January, can be advantageous for students who need more time to prepare or who may have missed fall deadlines. While it might be great to attend college during the fall because campus looks nicer and there are a lot of clubs and organizations and networking possibilities, spring might be the best for the fact that class sizes are smaller and the admissions competition is not so stiff.

Finally, the choice of the intake – in the fall or in spring has to do more with one's needs and readiness to study; therefore, before taking a decision students should consider their personal goals and situations.

Is it better to go in fall or spring? Conclusion

The conclusive answer is simple: it depends entirely on you. It all depends on what you need and what are your future plans. First, be clear about what you expect out of a college education when you want to apply for a job as you are the best judge of your career. There is no harm in applying in any intake season.