JapanPlanning for 2027
January and spring 2027 intakes, and the deadlines coming up
In short: if you want to start between January and April 2027, the early-year intake is the main one in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Brazil, and widely available in Canada, Cyprus, Malaysia. In most of Europe the spring start is small or closed to new non-EU students, so for September 2027 entry the deadlines that matter fall between December and March.
Where you can start between January and April 2027
| Country | Early-year start | What the guide says |
|---|---|---|
 Australia | Main intake | Semester 1 starts late February or early March and is the major intake; apply 8 to 10 months ahead. Sources |
 New Zealand | Main intake | Semester One starts in February; for a February start, apply by the preceding August or September. Sources |
 South Korea | Main intake | The spring semester (March) is the main intake. Sources |
 Brazil | Main intake | The academic year starts in February or March. Sources |
 Canada | Wide | Winter (January) is a substantial second intake, widely available at colleges. A study permit attestation letter is valid only in the calendar year it was issued. Sources |
 Cyprus | Wide | The spring intake (February to May) is genuinely available for most programmes at the private universities. Sources |
 Malaysia | Wide | Universiti Malaya admits in February (Semester II), with an application deadline of 11 November. Sources |
 Germany | Some | The summer semester starts in April with far fewer programmes; the standard deadline is 15 January. Sources |
 Austria | Some | At the University of Vienna, admission for the summer semester 2027 runs 16 November 2026 to 7 January 2027 for third-country nationals. Sources |
 Ireland | Some | A smaller January intake exists at postgraduate level; most programmes start in September. Sources |
 Netherlands | Some | A limited February intake exists, mostly at master’s level. Sources |
 Latvia | Some | A spring intake with fewer programmes; non-EU applicants usually apply by mid-October or early November. Sources |
 Poland | Some | A smaller February or March intake at some universities; medicine is October only. Sources |
 United Arab Emirates | Some | Many universities also admit in spring. Sources |
 Georgia | Some | Some universities also admit in spring. Sources |
 China | Some | A smaller spring intake at some universities. Sources |
 Taiwan | Some | A smaller February intake at some universities. Sources |
 France | Limited | A limited January or February intake, mainly at private business and engineering schools; public universities rarely admit mid-year. Sources |
 Spain | Limited | A smaller January or February start at some private universities. Sources |
 Italy | Limited | A February or March second-semester intake exists but is limited and mostly closed to new non-EU visa applicants. Sources |
Deadlines between now and March 2027
Mostly for a September 2027 start. Each university and scheme can change its dates: confirm on the official page linked in the guide.
| Closes | Country | What |
|---|---|---|
| 11 November 2026 | Malaysia | Universiti Malaya: applications for the February intake (Semester II). |
| 1 December 2026 to 15 January 2027 |  United States | Graduate: funded PhD and competitive master’s programmes close in this window. |
| 16 December 2026 to 17 February 2027 |  Singapore | NUS: application window for international qualifications (other than the IB), AY2027/28. |
| 1 to 15 January 2027 | United States | Undergraduate: Regular Decision at selective institutions. |
| 5 to 19 January 2027 |  Finland | University of Helsinki: application period for studies starting in autumn 2027. |
| 7 January 2027 | Austria | University of Vienna: end of admission for the summer semester 2027 (third-country nationals). |
| 10 January to 20 February 2027 |  Türkiye | Türkiye Scholarships (fully funded): general application period for 2027. |
| 13 January 2027 |  United Kingdom | UCAS equal consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses (2027 entry). |
| 15 January 2027 |  Sweden | National deadline for programmes starting in autumn 2027 (fees and documents by 1 February). |
| 15 January 2027 | Netherlands | Numerus fixus (capped) bachelor programmes: absolute deadline, 23:59. |
| 15 January 2027 | Germany | Standard deadline for the summer semester (many master’s set earlier ones). |
| 15 January 2027 |  Denmark | Aarhus University: non-EU applicants for the summer intake (August or September start). |
| 19 January 2027 | Taiwan | National Taiwan University: end of the second round for September 2027 entry. |
| 28 February 2027 | China | Tsinghua University: end of the second undergraduate round for 2027 entry. |
| 15 March 2027 | Denmark | International qualifications, Quota 2: 12 noon CET. |
Gathered from the “When to apply” part of each country guide, which links the official page for every date. Guides checked 24 September 2026.
What to do next
- Pick the intake, then work backwards. The visa often takes weeks to months; the country guide gives its timing and the money you must show.
- Check the money. Work out a year in your currency and see what each visa asks you to show.
- Look for funding before you apply. Scholarships open to your nationality, and those closing soon.
- Apply directly. To the university or the official portal named in the guide; no agent is needed and none can guarantee a visa.
Questions
Which countries have a January or February intake for international students?
The early-year intake is the main one in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Brazil (the southern-hemisphere and Korean academic years), and widely available in Canada, Cyprus, Malaysia. Germany, Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands and several others offer a smaller one.
Can I still start studying abroad in January 2027?
Often yes in Canada (colleges), Cyprus and Malaysia, and for February or March in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Brazil, if you apply now: the visa takes weeks to months, so check each guide for its processing time and the money you must show.
When are the deadlines for September 2027 entry?
Many fall in January: 13 January for UCAS in the United Kingdom, 15 January in Sweden and for capped programmes in the Netherlands, 5 to 19 January at the University of Helsinki, and 1 to 15 January for Regular Decision in the United States.