July Intake in Australia: The What, When and Why

There are six Australian universities in the top 100 in the world, according to Times Higher Education and the quality of education is on par with countries like the USA and UK. It comes as no surprise that Australia is also the third most popular study abroad destination in the world.

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

If you’re sure about what you’re doing, and wish to start your studies even earlier, you may still be able to apply for the February intake 2025. You can read our guide on the February intake for more information like this.

The July intake

The July intake (or Semester 2 intake) starts in late June or July and runs until February the following year. It is considered the secondary intake but the quality of teaching and the coursework are exactly the same as the first intake. However, not all courses are available during this period so it’s important to check availability with your university.

Application processes may differ depending on your university, but applications for February intakes are usually open until April or May.

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.However, the deadlines provided by universities can differ depending on your course so make sure you check with your university first and tailor this to your circumstances.

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

Although there’s still time until the application deadline, it is a good idea 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. No matter what you want to study, there is a top-ranking university to meet your needs.

Step #2 – November to February – 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 July 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 – December to January – 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 – February to March – 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 – April/May– 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 June/July– 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.

There’s still time until the July 2025 intake closes so you can take your time to get your application sorted. However, if you want to start your postgraduate journey even earlier, late applications for the February intake 2025 might still be open. Check with your university about whether they’re still accepting applications. You can read our comprehensive guides on Australian Masters applications, courses and visas for more information. .

Benefits of applying for the July intake

Even though the July intake is less popular, there are plenty of reasons it might be the right one for you:

• The July intake gives you a little more flexibility if you’ve missed out on the February intake. You can take the extra time to really work on your applications and make them stand out.
• Class sizes during the July intake are usually smaller so you get the opportunity to spend more one-on-one time with your professors.
• If you need to take any additional courses before you begin your Masters/PhD, the July intake can be the perfect stepping stone before you actually begin in the primary February intake.