February Intake in Australia: The What, When and Why

Although Australian universities are on par with countries like the USA and UK, their academic year is a bit different, starting in February rather than September (which is common in most countries worldwide).

Australian universities also have two intakes for postgraduate students. In this guide we are looking at the February intake at Australian universities with all the information about important dates, deadlines and application timelines.

If you’re looking to start your postgraduate journey later, you can apply for the July intake 2025 as well. You can read our guide on the July intake for more information.

The February intake

The February intake (or Semester 1 intake) starts in February or early March and runs until late June or early July. It’s the primary intake for students studying in Australia and almost all universities offer courses during this period.

Application processes may differ depending on your university, but applications for February intakes are usually open until November or December of the previous year. These are some application timelines that universities in Australia may operate on:

• Early admission deadline: Some universities offer an early admission deadline which gives you the advantage of getting on a course, and applying for scholarships, early. For the February intake, the early admission deadline can be as soon as the October of the previous year.
• Regular application deadline: This is the application timeline that most universities run on. The regular application deadline for the February intake is usually November or December of the previous year. The regular deadlines can vary depending on your course so make sure you check with your university.
• Rolling application deadline: Some universities in Australia have a rolling application deadline which means there is no set application end date. They accept and review applications as they come in and until the places are filled. If your university runs on a rolling deadline, we recommend that you get your application in as soon as possible.
• Late application deadline: Some universities also offer a late application deadline, however, there might be limited courses and scholarship options on offer. Late application deadlines might also be a tight squeeze for international students who need to apply and wait for a student visa to travel to Australia. Late deadlines for the February intake are usually around the second half of January of the year of study.

The February intake application timeline

Even though the application process for Australian universities is pretty straightforward, it is good to be prepared. We have a rough outline of how you should go about preparing your application. We have used the regular application deadlines as a guide but depending on the application deadline your university provides, you might need to tailor these.

Step #1 – May to June (of the year before you want to start) – Begin your research

Although you still have time until the application deadline, it is a good thing to start your search early. This will give you enough time to be sure about your course, chat to students and get to know the academic staff. If you’re not sure where you want to study, university rankings can be a great place to start (but these won’t be postgraduate specific and shouldn’t be the only thing you consider).

Step #2 – June to August – Search for funding options

It is a good idea to search for funding options as you’re researching your course and institutions. You may be able to find funding specific to the February intake. Depending on the kind of funding you choose, you could apply at this stage, or you might need to wait to hear back from your university. If you’re applying for a university scholarship, they might give you the option to apply alongside your course application or it might be automatically given (depending on eligibility criteria).

Step #3 – July to August – Get your supporting documents ready

Once you know the courses you’ll be applying to, you can start getting the documents you need together. Your university will let you know about the documents you’ll need but you can expect to be asked to provide an English language test, personal statements and references. You may also need these documents to apply for funding.

Step #4 – September/October – Apply to your chosen university

We recommend that you get an application in as soon as possible to give you time to prepare, provide any extra documents that your university might need and apply for a student visa (if you need one). You’ll need to apply directly to your university. There is no limit on the number of applications you can make, however, we recommend you give yourself enough time to tailor each application to the course/university.

Step #5 – November/December – Apply for your student visa and find accommodation

Once you’ve heard back from your university, you can apply for your student visa, if you need one. We recommend that you do this sooner rather than later to account for any processing delays. Processing times can vary hugely depending on your application but, according to the Australian government, most student visas are processed within 57 days.

This is also a good time to look for and book accommodation, securing it before you fly will be a big weight off your mind.

Step #6 – Late January/February – Get ready to fly!

You’re now ready to start your postgraduate journey in Australia! It is good idea to fly a few days before the start of your course to give yourself time to get acquainted with the country and the culture. Universities are also likely to have an orientation week to welcome new students before classes begin.

You may still be able to get a late application in for a February 2025 start. Check with your university if they are still accepting applications. If you want to give yourself a little more time, you can always apply for the July 2025 intake. You can read our comprehensive guides on Australian Masters applications, courses and visas for more information. .

Benefits of applying to the February intake in Australia

The February intake has a wide range of courses available and is more popular among students. Here are some of the benefits of studying in Australia in the February intake:

• There are more scholarships and funding opportunities available this time of the year which makes the February intake particularly popular with international students.
• There are more courses to choose from in this intake which means you can find a course that really suits your goals.
• There are more opportunities for part-time jobs on and off campus this time of the year and there is also plenty of opportunity for you to participate in university societies and clubs.