Upcoming Study Intakes in Australia 2023

Australia is the third most popular country among Indian students to study abroad. The nation draws about 500,000 international students annually representing all corners of the globe. The majority of Australian institutions place a strong emphasis on research-based instruction and practical knowledge, which is one of the main factors that render Australia a ‎high-caliber study abroad destination for Indian students

There are two primary intake in Australia: the Semester 1 intake in February and the Semester 2 intake in July. The primary intake starts in February, as the name implies, while the secondary intake starts in July. Nearly all educational institutions in Australia offer the most popular courses in the first intake. For the July intake, just a small number of institutions will offer a narrow range of academic programmes.

Additionally, several Australian institutions welcome applications all year long. Such options, though, are scarce. Along with the two intakes mentioned above, there is also a third intake that is also referred to as semester 3 or November intake in Australia and has considerably fewer programmes.

Which Intake in Australia Should Indian Students Opt for?

When making a choice, take into variables such as your desired programme's accessibility and its acceptance rate, your previous academic performance, standardised exam results, employment prospects, and degree of programme preparedness. 

Some professional programmes, like health and nursing, are only offered in the February intake, while the majority of master's programmes are offered in the July or February intakes. Yet again, several universities only offer only a handful of degrees like IT and business in the November intake in Australia. Furthermore, Indian students often favour the July intake. However, the February intake, which is the first intake, is beneficial for overseas students for the majority of programmes.

Conditional admission is permitted by Australian institutions in situations where the final exam results are awaited. This clause can be useful to you because Indian colleges and universities typically declare their results around May or June. This enables you to begin the Australia visa application process without having to wait and invest considerable time. The following infographic lists various intakes in Australia that are provided together with a couple of details about the academic courses that Australian universities offer:

Australian institutions may have different application deadlines for every single intake, and a few universities may have several application deadlines for multiple degrees. Thus, it is advisable that you refer to the official website of your chosen institution to find accurate and up-to-date information regarding their application deadlines and intake dates. 

February Intake in Australia

In Australian educational institutions, February intake is often referred to as Semester 1 intake or T1 intake. The end of December marks the traditional closing date for submissions to several universities for the February intake in Australia. This intake lasts until late May or early June and begins in February or early March.

As this is a primary intake, applicants who apply for it are automatically enrolled for the programme's inaugural semester of the session. Multiple types of scholarships and financial assistance are offered during this intake. Since there is a massive influx of overseas students, there are many possibilities open to them. Getting enrolled in this intake, therefore, offers all students with excellent multicultural experiences.

July Intake in Australia 

July intake is often referred to as T2 intake or Semester 2 intake at Australian universities. This intake lasts from February to June. Due to the high demand and competition, overseas students are usually admitted on a first-come-first-served basis. There are fewer programmes available for the July intake due to the restricted amount of Australian universities offering them.

Applications from foreign students are accepted for almost all of the programmes offered during the July intake in Australia. The July intake corresponds to the Indian year of schooling. Candidates who did not enrol in February have an ideal choice offered by this intake. International applicants are given additional time to apply to Australian universities and obtain their obtain study permits as well as visas.

November Intake in Australia 

November intake in Australia is often referred to as T3 intake or Semester 3 intake. Although this intake is least favoured by international students, it is nevertheless suitable for a few courses. A handful of colleges offer courses of study, and the majority of academic programmes are vocational. The following is a list of universities/colleges that accept applications for the semester 3 intake:

• University of Southern Queensland

• University of New South Wales (UNSW)

• CQ University

• Charles Sturt University

• Bond University

• Australian National University

The level of competition is quite low because only a tiny percentage of candidates submit applications for Australia's November intake. Consider targeting the November intake if you were rejected from one of the country's two primary intakes i.e., the February and July intake.

Intake in Australia: February Vs July Vs November

As previously mentioned, Australia invites applications from overseas students for its first, second, and third semesters. The first semester's admission begins in February, the second semester in July, and the third semester in November. 

Perhaps the most favoured intake to study in Australia for admittance to its prestigious colleges is semester 1. Candidates who missed the semester 1 intake have second-semester intakes as their finest remaining choice. The other intake i.e., the November intake in Australia, however, only offers a limited number of programmes for enrollment. The following table shows how many intakes in Australia are available for international students, how they differ, their application window, and more.

Concluding Thoughts

Starting as soon as you can is the only golden key. Even though the application deadline may seem far away, you will require extra time to complete what you need to do to apply to your desired university successfully. Ensure that your course is offered for your intended intake in Australia and that you are fully cognizant of any deadlines. Allow yourself at least a six-month window to have everything ready for your application. Don't rush; instead, be meticulous. This is because you may run the risk of jeopardising your chance of being accepted if any aspect of your application is left undone. Simply put, act early while taking one step at a time.