January is the UK’s second-largest intake for international students after September, and London alone offers thousands of foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses starting in January 2027. Over 80 UK universities are open for January 2027 entry, giving you a genuine second route into some of the world’s best universities if you’ve missed the September deadline.
Learn more about London universities with January 2027 start dates below, including the benefits of a January start, what it costs to live in London, how the visa process works, and how to apply. Begin your application by arranging a free consultation with StudyIn today.
Benefits of Starting in January 2027
January start at UK universities is popular with international students for several genuine reasons, not just as a fallback for missing September:
- Flexibility to join at a later date if your exams, visa processing or funding weren’t ready in time for September.
- More time to complete pre-university education, particularly useful if your school year finishes later than the UK’s.
- Extra time to arrange funds, sponsorship letters and financial evidence for your visa application.
- A wide range of courses to choose from, spanning foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
- More time to prepare visa documents without the pressure of a single September deadline.
- Smaller cohorts at many universities, meaning more direct contact with tutors and course leaders.
Universities in London with January 2027 Intake
London Metropolitan University
For the January 2027 intake, students considering London Met can choose from a broad selection of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across disciplines such as business, law, computing, health, social sciences, and art and design.
International students are welcome to apply for full-time study, and the university offers career support embedded into the curriculum, helping students develop practical skills and prepare for employment from day one.
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary, situated in East London, is a prestigious UK university and a member of the Russell Group. For January 2027, many of Queen Mary’s most popular master’s and pre-master’s programmes are available to start, and eligible students can apply for the university’s Global Scholarship scheme, worth up to £7,000, alongside guaranteed accommodation in Queen Mary halls for those who apply by 1 December.
Coventry University London
For January 2027, a wide selection of foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses is available across all faculties at Coventry University’s London campus. The university has campuses in both London and Coventry, two of the UK’s top student cities, giving students flexibility around location.
Brunel University London
Brunel University London is a forward-thinking London-based university that strongly emphasises employability and graduate prospects. It offers four-year sandwich courses, including a placement year, and its graduates benefit from some of the highest graduate salaries in the UK.
Flexible course start options for January 2027 entry are available for international students in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Royal Holloway, University of London
A range of postgraduate courses, including several taught in Royal Holloway’s AACSB-accredited Business School, are available for January 2027 entry, alongside selected undergraduate options. January cohorts are typically smaller than September’s, so students benefit from more focused time with tutors, plus access to dedicated scholarships and bursaries for January starters.
Anglia Ruskin University London
A multi-campus university, Anglia Ruskin University offers more than 100 master’s degree courses with September and January start dates. Full-time undergraduate business, management, law, health and social sciences courses are also available with a flexible January start at ARU London.
Cost of Living in London for January 2027 Starters
London is the UK’s most expensive city to study in, and international students should budget for higher costs than almost anywhere else in the country. As a general guide, expect to spend around £1,300 to £1,600 a month on rent, food, transport and bills outside of tuition, with accommodation typically the largest single cost.
January starters arriving in winter should also budget for warmer clothing and higher heating and energy bills in their first few months, on top of the one-off costs of setting up a UK bank account, buying course materials and settling in.
Visa Process for January 2027 Entry
Most international students starting in January 2027 will need a Student visa, applied for once your university issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) following your firm offer.
Processing typically takes a few weeks, so it’s worth applying as soon as your CAS is issued rather than waiting until close to your course start date, especially given the smaller number of visa application slots typically available around the winter intake compared with September.
It’s also worth understanding how your start date affects your options after graduation. The Graduate Route, the UK’s post-study work visa, is changing from 1 January 2027: applications submitted on or after that date will receive 18 months of post-study work permission rather than the current 2 years, regardless of when your course started. Since most January 2027 starters will graduate and apply for the Graduate Route after this date, it’s worth planning your post-study career strategy around 18 months rather than 2 years. PhD graduates are not affected and retain the current 3-year allowance. Immigration rules change periodically, so always confirm the latest position before you apply.
How to Apply for January 2027 Entry
Applying for a January intake works differently to the main UCAS cycle for September, and deadlines vary significantly by university and course, so getting expert guidance early genuinely changes your odds of securing a place at your first-choice university.
- Confirm course availability first. Not every course runs in January, even at universities that offer a January intake overall, so check the specific course page before you commit to an application.
- Apply directly to most universities. Unlike September undergraduate entry, most January applications, including postgraduate and international undergraduate routes, go directly to the university rather than through UCAS.
- Gather your documents early. Academic transcripts, English language test results, a personal statement and references all take time to arrange, particularly if documents need translating or verifying.
- Apply for your CAS and visa promptly once you receive a firm offer, since visa processing and travel planning both take time before a January start.
- Get expert application support. StudyIn’s counsellors know exactly which London universities and courses are realistically still open for January 2027, and can help you build a shortlist, prepare a strong application, and manage your visa timeline so nothing is left to the last minute.
Study in London from January 2027
You can study in London starting January 2027, and StudyIn’s expert application team is here to help. Choose from thousands of January courses across London’s universities, and arrange a free consultation today to find out exactly which options you qualify for.
FAQs
Which London universities offer a January 2027 intake?
London Metropolitan University, Queen Mary University of London, Coventry University London, Brunel University London, Royal Holloway, University of London, and Anglia Ruskin University London all offer courses starting in January 2027, though availability varies by course.
Is it harder to get a visa for January entry?
Not harder, but visa slots and appointment availability can be tighter around the winter intake than September, so applying for your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies and visa as early as possible is important.
Will I still get a 2-year Graduate Route visa if I start in January 2027?
Most January 2027 starters will graduate and apply for the Graduate Route visa after 1 January 2027, meaning they will typically receive 18 months of post-study work permission rather than the previous 2 years. PhD graduates are unaffected and retain 3 years.
Do I apply through UCAS for January entry?
Most January intake courses, particularly postgraduate and international undergraduate applications, are made directly to the university rather than through UCAS. Always check the specific course page for the correct application route.
