Last Updated: September 9th, 2025 | By Flight Ticket Fare.
For every international student dreaming of pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or any other course, the academic intake calendar is one of the most important timelines to understand. Choosing the right intake ensures that you start your education at the right time, secure the best scholarship opportunities, and plan your flight bookings well in advance. But alongside admissions and study visa applications, there’s another crucial step—finding the best airfare. At FlightTicketFare (also known as Flight Ticket Fare and flightticketfare.com), we understand that international students don’t just worry about fees, but also about saving every Indian Rupee when booking flights. Let’s dive into the intakes, countries, and travel timelines you should know, along with practical tips for easy, affordable air travel.
How Many Intakes Are There in a Year?
While the number of intakes may vary slightly by country, most popular study destinations follow a bi-annual or tri-annual intake system. Let’s break it down:
- September Intake (Fall/Autumn): The largest intake globally. Universities in the USA, UK, Canada, and Germany offer the widest range of courses during this month. Many scholarships are aligned with this intake.
- January Intake (Winter): A popular second chance for students who miss September. Especially significant for countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia.
- May/June Intake (Summer): Smaller, but ideal for specific diplomas, preparatory courses, or professional programs.
- November/December Intake: Limited availability, often in countries like Australia and New Zealand for select courses.
In other words, whether you are aiming for a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s, or a professional diploma, there’s usually more than one entry point every year.
Student Intake by Countries.
| Country | Intake | Details |
|---|---|---|
| United States (USA) | Fall (September) | Most popular, especially for Engineering and Business courses. |
| Spring (January) | Second most popular; ideal for international students needing more time for applications or study visa approvals. | |
| Summer (May) | Limited options, often for short-term courses. | |
| Canada | Fall (September) | Largest intake; wide availability of scholarships. |
| Winter (January) | Second largest; great for late applicants. | |
| Summer (May) | Niche programs and diploma programs. | |
| Australia (Country in Oceania) | February | Main academic session with most program choices. |
| July | Strong option for Business and Engineering degrees. | |
| November/December | Smaller intake; available at select universities. | |
| New Zealand | February | Primary intake; majority of courses available. |
| July | Secondary intake with moderate availability. | |
| UK & Europe (Germany included) | September | Major intake across the region; wide program variety. |
| January | Second chance for international students. | |
| December / March (Germany) | Some universities in Germany allow a December intake or March start. |
Why Flight Booking Matters as Much as Intakes?
Booking your flight tickets is not just about travel, it’s about smart financial planning. A last-minute ticket can cost thousands of extra Indian Rupees, while early bookings help international students save big.
Here’s why planning flights around intakes is essential:
- Visa Approvals & Deadlines– Once your study visa or travel visa is approved, flights should be your immediate priority. Waiting until November for a January intake often leads to skyrocketing prices.
- Peak Travel Seasons– September and January are peak months for student travel. Flights to destinations like Germany or Australia can fill up quickly.
- Scholarship Deadlines & Arrival Dates– Many scholarships require students to arrive by a specific date, making timely booking critical.
- Smooth Transition– Booking flights early allows time to plan layovers, luggage, and arrival schedules that align with university orientations.
Smart Flight Booking Tips for Students.
At FlightTicketFare, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Here are expert backed strategies:
- Book 3-6 Months in Advance: Especially for September and January intakes.
- Use Student Discounts: Airlines like Emirates, Lufthansa, and Singapore. We have special deals for students.
- Compare in Indian Rupee: Always convert to INR before paying some deals look cheaper in foreign currency but end up costlier.
- Flexible Dates: Flying a day earlier in November or a week later in January can save a lot.
- Check Baggage Rules: Students often carry more; many airlines offer extra baggage allowance for international students.
Example Scenarios.
- Engineering student traveling to Germany (September Intake): Booking in April or May secures the lowest fare in INR. Waiting until August can double the price.
- Business student heading to Australia (February Intake): Booking in November or December is ideal—after securing the study visa.
- Scholarship recipient flying to Canada (January Intake 2026): The best time to book is by September 2025 to lock in affordable fares.
Why Choose Students Flight Ticket Fare?
At flightticketfare.com, we specialize in student travel. Here’s why thousands of international students trust us:
- Exclusive student flight deals tailored for September, January, and December intakes.
- Transparent comparison in Indian Rupee for easy budgeting.
- Partnerships with airlines offering extra baggage allowance.
- Personalized support to match flight dates with intake timelines.
- 24/7 assistance for emergencies or last-minute changes.
Final Thoughts.
Understanding how many student intakes there are in a year—from September intake to January and December intakes—is only half the journey. The other half is making sure your flight booking is seamless, affordable, and aligned with your academic goals.
Whether you’re starting your Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, pursuing Business as a field of study, or chasing your dreams abroad in Germany or Australia, remember: the earlier you plan, the more you save.
So, as you prepare your applications for 2026 and beyond, let FlightTicketFare guide your way—making not just intakes, but also flights, simple and stress-free.