Main intake
August to October in Europe, China, the USA (Fall) and Canada; February in Australia. It has the most programmes and scholarships.
2027 intakes · 18 countries compared
Most of the 18 countries on our site start their main intake between August and October, and the first deadlines for autumn 2027 are already here: ETH Zurich takes master's applications from 1 to 30 November 2026, and Norway's UiT closes on 15 November 2026. Others come later, from Finland's joint application in January 2027 to China's deadlines in May and June 2027. Many countries also have a January or February start.
Written and reviewed by Anisuzzaman Kiron, Founder & CEO · Updated
| Main intake | August to October in most of the 18 countries; February in Australia |
|---|---|
| First deadlines for autumn 2027 | ETH Zurich 1–30 Nov 2026 (master's); UiT Norway 15 Nov 2026; NTNU and Agder 1 Dec 2026 |
| Finland | Joint application 7–21 January 2027 |
| January or February starts | USA, Canada, Hungary, Cyprus, North Cyprus, Greece, Malaysia and Australia |
| Several starts a year | Malaysia (two or three), MUIC in Thailand (September, January, April), USA (Fall, Spring, Summer) |
| Scholarships close first | Chinese Government Scholarship through SJTU 15 Dec 2026; Türkiye Scholarships 10 Jan–20 Feb |
| Visa time | Türkiye up to 45 days; Switzerland about 3 months; file about 3 months ahead for Cyprus (EUC) and New Zealand |
From the intakes and visa sections of each country page, which cite the official sources · Last verified
The basics
An intake is the month your course starts. Each university sets its own application window for each intake, and the visa needs time after your offer, so the deadline you must meet usually falls six to ten months before the start.
August to October in Europe, China, the USA (Fall) and Canada; February in Australia. It has the most programmes and scholarships.
January or February at some universities in the USA, Canada, Hungary, Cyprus, North Cyprus, Greece and Malaysia; July in Australia. Fewer programmes take part.
Some countries use one fixed window, like Finland's joint application on 7–21 January 2027. Others, such as Türkiye's foundation universities, admit through the year.
The deadline is earlier than the start. For an August 2027 start in Norway, UiT closes on 15 November 2026, nine months before; in Italy, universities set their own dates before the 31 October 2027 visa deadline.
Sources: the intakes sections of our Norway, Finland and Italy pages and their official sources. Last verified 11 Nov 2026.
By country
The main intake, any other intakes and when to apply, for all 18 countries on our site. Filter by how many intakes a country has, then open a country page for its universities and deadlines.
Showing 18 countries
| Country | Main intake | Other intakes | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | September or October | — | University deadlines first; the visa application must reach the embassy by 31 October 2027 for 2027–28 |
| Norway | August | — | UiT 15 November 2026; NTNU and Agder 1 December 2026; BI priority round 1 March |
| Estonia | Late August or September | — | Non-EU deadlines from early March to April (Tartu master's: 15 March in 2026) |
| Switzerland | Autumn semester | — | ETH Zurich master's 1–30 November 2026; other universities set their own dates |
| Finland | August or September | January at some institutions; rolling admission at some | Joint application 7–21 January 2027, up to six choices |
| Hungary | September | February at some universities | September 2027: mostly November 2026 to July 2027; February 2027: BME until 15 November 2026 |
| Türkiye | Fall (September) | Spring at some foundation universities | Public universities open calls in spring; foundation universities admit through the year |
| China | September | March at some universities, such as Jiangsu | About May–June 2027 for September; Jiangsu 25 December 2026 for March |
| Cyprus | September–October | February at some, such as EUC | Entry permit file at least 3 months before the semester |
| Australia | February (Semester 1) | July (Semester 2); April and September at Victoria University | Six to nine months ahead; closing dates differ by course |
| New Zealand | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Visa about 3 months before you travel |
| North Cyprus | September (EMU classes from 21 September 2026) | February (from 4 February 2027); summer from 28 June 2027 | A few months before either start date |
| USA | Fall (August) | Spring (January); Summer (May) at some | Fall 2027: 15 January (Texas Tech) to 1 July (Lamar, final) |
| Canada | September | January at some; May at a few | September 2027: 31 January (UVic) to 1 June 2027 (Winnipeg) |
| Malaysia | Two or three a year | Monash: February, July, October; INTI: January, May, August | At least six months ahead, for EMGS and the visa |
| Thailand | August (Chulalongkorn) | MUIC: September, January and April | Rounds open early: Thammasat 1 October–15 November 2026; Chulalongkorn BBA 5 January–19 February 2027 |
| Greece | Mid-September | February, June and July (Hellenic American University) | 4–6 months before the start (Sunrise advice) |
| Malta | Set by each college | Set by each college | 4–6 months before; visa at VFS at least 9 weeks before the start |
Each country name opens its page, where the intakes section links every university's dates. Universities can change their windows each year. "Sunrise advice" marks our own timing, not an official deadline. Last verified 11 Nov 2026.
Autumn 2027 deadlines
Switzerland, Norway and Thailand open and close first, in October to December 2026. Finland follows in January, then the USA and Canada from January to March. China, Hungary and some US and Canadian universities stay open until May to July 2027.
| Deadline or window | Country | University or system |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct–15 Nov 2026 | Thailand | Thammasat University, engineering, Inter Portfolio 1 (2027 entry) |
| 15 Nov 2026 | Norway | UiT The Arctic University of Norway |
| 1–30 Nov 2026 | Switzerland | ETH Zurich, master's |
| 1 Dec 2026 | Norway | NTNU and University of Agder |
| 15 Jan 2027 | USA | Texas Tech, graduate (recommended) |
| 7–21 Jan 2027 | Finland | Joint application on Studyinfo.fi |
| 31 Jan 2027 | Canada | University of Victoria |
| 1 Feb 2027 | USA | Kansas State, graduate |
| 5 Jan–19 Feb 2027 | Thailand | Chulalongkorn University BBA, round 1 |
| 1 Mar 2027 | Canada | University of Calgary (most programmes) and University of Alberta |
| 1 Feb–30 Apr 2027 | Hungary | ELTE, BSc Computer Science |
| 1 May 2027 | USA | NJIT, master's |
| 9 Nov 2026–31 May 2027 | Hungary | Budapest University of Economics and Business |
| 31 May 2027 | China | Shanghai Jiao Tong University, self-funded graduate |
| 1 Jun 2027 | Canada | University of Winnipeg |
| 30 Jun 2027 | China | Zhejiang Normal University, bachelor's |
| 1 Jul 2027 | USA | Lamar University (final) |
| 31 Oct 2027 | Italy | Italian visa application for 2027–28 (universities close earlier) |
Estonia and Türkiye publish later. Tartu's master's deadline was 15 March in 2026, and Ankara University's call ran from 22 May to 26 June 2026; check the 2027 dates on our country pages as they come out.
From the intakes sections of our Switzerland, Norway, Thailand, Hungary, Finland, USA, Canada, China and Italy pages. Last verified 11 Nov 2026.
January and February intakes
The USA, Canada, Hungary, Cyprus, North Cyprus, Greece, Malaysia and Australia; China starts some courses in March and Thailand's MUIC in January and April. Fewer programmes take part than in autumn, so check your course before you plan on it.
| Country | Intake | Deadlines and examples |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Spring (January) | Kansas State 1 September (graduate); UT Arlington 15 October; Arizona State 1 November 2026 (first-year priority) |
| Canada | January | University of Winnipeg 15 October of the year before |
| Hungary | February 2027 | BME until 15 November 2026; IBS until 30 November 2026; BUEB does not offer it for English programmes |
| Cyprus | February | EUC: next BBA intake February 2027 |
| North Cyprus | February | EMU spring classes from 4 February 2027; orientation from 18 January |
| Greece | 1 February 2027 | Hellenic American University, undergraduate and graduate |
| Australia | February (Semester 1) | The main intake at most universities |
| Malaysia | January–February | INTI (January); Monash Malaysia (February); Heriot-Watt Malaysia foundation (January 2027) |
| China | March | Jiangsu University: deadline 25 December 2026 for March 2027 |
| Thailand | January and April | MUIC: overseas window 1 December 2026–8 January 2027, for classes from 19 April 2027 |
| Finland | January | January 2027 window closed (31 August–10 September 2026); some institutions use rolling admission |
Missed autumn? A spring start can save you a year, but scholarships and visa slots are often fewer. A counsellor can check which of your shortlisted programmes run in spring.
From the intakes sections of each country page. Last verified 11 Nov 2026.
Visa timing
From about two months ahead for Türkiye and Greece to about three months ahead for Switzerland, Cyprus and New Zealand. Your intake deadline is only half the plan: leave enough time after the offer for the visa.
| Country | Processing or deadline | When to file |
|---|---|---|
| Türkiye | Up to 45 days to process | Apply about 2 months before the start |
| Estonia | Decision within 30 days | Hand in the D visa in New Delhi; appointments open up to 3 months ahead |
| Malta | At least 6–8 weeks | File at VFS at least 9 weeks before the course starts; fly no more than 2 weeks before |
| Greece | Includes an interview in New Delhi | Submit about 2 months or more before the start |
| Cyprus | About a month for the entry permit | EUC asks for the file at least 3 months before the semester |
| Switzerland | About 3 months | Apply as soon as you are admitted; the canton decides, then the embassy issues the visa within 5 days |
| New Zealand | Apply about 3 months before travel | Education New Zealand passed on advice to apply around September 2026 for 2027 starts |
| Norway | Apply April–June 2027 | After you pay tuition and the living-cost deposit |
| Italy | By 31 October 2027 for 2027–28 | Pre-enrol on Universitaly first |
| Canada | Get the PAL first | Bachelor's applicants need a provincial attestation letter before the study permit |
| Malaysia | EMGS after the offer | Start at least six months ahead |
| Australia | Once you have the CoE | Lodge online in ImmiAccount; biometrics at VFS Global in Bangladesh |
| USA | After the I-20 | Start about a year ahead so there is time for the visa interview |
From the visa and intakes sections of each country page; see every country's file in our student visa guide. Last verified 11 Nov 2026.
Scholarship deadlines
Earlier than admission. The Chinese Government Scholarship through SJTU closes on 15 December 2026, Stipendium Hungaricum in mid-January and Türkiye Scholarships on 20 February, months before the same universities close self-funded places.
| Scholarship | Deadline | Country page |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Government Scholarship (through SJTU) | 15 Dec 2026 and 15 Feb 2027 | China |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Mid-January (15 January in 2026) | Hungary |
| Türkiye Scholarships | 10 January–20 February; results in early August | Türkiye |
| HIT scholarships (China) | 1 Nov 2026–20 Apr 2027 | China |
| Thammasat scholarship exam | 12 Dec 2026, in Inter Portfolio 1 | Thailand |
| Massey 2027 study grants (New Zealand) | For Semester 1 or Semester 2 starts | New Zealand |
For what each scholarship covers, see our study abroad scholarships guide. Last verified 11 Nov 2026.
Your 12-month plan
Start now. Count back from your start date: the visa needs two to three months, the offer comes after the deadline, and the earliest deadlines fall in November and December 2026.
Choose autumn 2027 or a spring start, and shortlist countries whose deadlines you can meet.
Now (Oct–Dec 2026)Book IELTS or the test your universities accept so the result is ready before the first deadline.
Before you applySwitzerland, Norway and Thailand close first; Finland is 7–21 January 2027; others run to spring.
Nov 2026–Mar 2027Pay the deposit or tuition the offer asks for, and apply for any scholarship before its own deadline.
Mar–May 2027Leave two to three months or more for the visa, then book your flight and housing.
Apr–Aug 2027Not sure which intake fits? A Sunrise counsellor checks your deadlines in a free face-to-face consultation in Banani or Sylhet, or on WhatsApp 01611878274.
Based on the intakes sections of each country page. Timing: Sunrise advice. Last verified 11 Nov 2026.
FAQ
Ask a counsellor directly if your question is not here.
WhatsApp 01611878274In most countries on our site, August to October: September in Italy, Hungary, China and Canada, Fall (August) in the USA and August in Norway. Australia's main intake is February.
Now. The first deadlines are in November and December 2026, such as ETH Zurich (1–30 November) and UiT Norway (15 November). Finland's joint application runs 7–21 January 2027.
Not for most countries. Canada's deadlines on our page run from 31 January to 1 June 2027, China's from about May to June 2027, and Hungary's mostly to May–July 2027.
The USA, Canada, Hungary, Cyprus, North Cyprus, Greece, Malaysia and Australia, at some universities and for some programmes. China has some March starts.
Malaysia (two or three intakes at many private universities), the USA (Fall, Spring and some Summer), MUIC in Thailand (September, January, April) and Victoria University in Australia (February, April, July, September).
Mainly February (Semester 1) and July (Semester 2). Victoria University also starts most courses in April and September.
Most programmes start in August or September. For autumn 2027, the joint application on Studyinfo.fi runs from 7 to 21 January 2027.
From about two months ahead for Türkiye and Greece to about three months ahead for Switzerland and New Zealand. Malta asks for the file at VFS at least 9 weeks before the course.
Earlier than admission: the Chinese Government Scholarship through SJTU on 15 December 2026, Stipendium Hungaricum in mid-January and Türkiye Scholarships on 20 February.
Book a free consultation in Banani or Sylhet, or message WhatsApp 01611878274; a counsellor checks the deadlines for your programmes and your visa timing.
or WhatsApp 01611878274 · call Sylhet 01710303097
