Universities abroad conduct admission during either winter, referred to as ‘fall intake’ or in spring or the ‘January intake’ or ‘Spring intake.’ Often, the ‘Spring intake or January intake’ is seen as a second opportunity because the ‘Fall intake’ is usually treated as ‘the opportunity’ to study abroad. Students who cannot seize this opportunity turn to the ‘Spring intake’ for their turn.
The January 2026 intake is a second chance for the students to apply with better preparation. They can have ample time to find out what went wrong with their preparation and work on the shortcomings. By the ‘January 2026 intake, the candidates get a hang of the admission process, level of competition and also the number of students or the class size and other factors.
Over the years, Ireland and the Netherlands have become top destinations for abroad studies because of their world-famous higher education institutions, vibrant culture and unmatched post-studies opportunities.
What Makes January 2026 Intake so Special?
Fall intake is often treated as the most appropriate time for admission in a foreign institution, but not everyone can get a chance to enrol. The January intake is a second chance to achieve their academic goals. Students look forward to the January 2026 intake for reasons more than one; here are some:
Allows students more flexibility
When it comes to studying abroad, often the uncertainties are more than the possibilities. However, the January 2026 intake offers the flexibility that comes as a relief for most students who fail to get admission in the Fall intake. It’s another hope to achieve their long-cherished academic goal.
The advantage of a second opportunity
There is seldom anything that discourages more than failure. It strikes even harder when one fails to get admission abroad on their first attempt. In such a scenario, the January 2026 intake comes as a second chance or as a second opportunity to attempt to study abroad in Ireland or the Netherlands.
Lesser rush, smaller class sizes and more personalized attention to students
As compared to the Fall intake, which happens in September or late August, a smaller number of students apply during the January intake. So, usually, the January intake batch is comparatively smaller. As a result, the interaction between students and teachers is more compact, and students receive more undivided attention from teachers, which goes a long way in ensuring better quality of studies.
More time to prepare for relocation
Students applying for January intakes get enough time to sort out their visa formalities, accommodation and other relocation essentials, before moving out to another nation. Most of the universities in the Netherlands allow students this time to prepare well before shifting. It saves them from the need to hurry and thus some additional expenses as well.
What Does Studying in Ireland Look Like?
Exotic landscape, vibrant cultural milieu and internationally acclaimed universities are some of the most appealing reasons to be there for a considerable time. It would still be great to get the whole picture of how it may actually be. Ireland is a friendly country; it’s easy for people from other nations to feel comfortable, safe and enjoy the best things there. Interestingly, English is spoken all over Ireland, which makes communication and study easier. Thus, it makes Ireland more inviting as a destination for studying abroad.
From a student’s perspective, the scenic beauty of the area might not be that appealing, but the potential of post-work opportunities is definitely something students look forward to. After your studies, an individual can stay back and work with the post-study work visa. Talking about work, Ireland is home to a good number of flourishing industries, especially tech, healthcare and business, exposing students to good work opportunities and starting their career on a high note.
The Top Universities Open for January 2026 Intakes
Not all doors are closed. While mid-November could be a little late for the January 2026 intake, it is not yet past the deadline because there are still some reputed universities inviting applications for their Spring intake.
University College Dublin
Known for its research intensity, the University College Dublin, Ireland, ranks among the 1% top higher education institutions across the world. It is mostly preferred for its graduate programs and international offerings. For January 2026, it has some of its post-graduate/ Master’s programmes open yet – M.Sc. in Computer Science and Business Analytics. Visit the university’s official website for the details.
Trinity College Dublin
Founded in 1952, Trinity College Dublin is one of the oldest universities in Ireland. It enjoys a widespread international reputation, offering a wide range of programmes in arts, sciences, business, engineering, health and others. Visit their official website for their January 2026 intake details.
National College of Ireland
The National College of Ireland is an institution of repute for undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma courses in business, computing, data analytics, and other areas. Its industry-relevant programs attract most students and even from all over the world. The university’s January intakes are for selected courses. This year, it is still open for M.Sc. in Data Analytics and MBA, for its January 2026 intake.
Technological University Dublin
Founded in 2019, it is one of the newest universities in Dublin and also the first technological university in all of Ireland. With several campuses across Dublin, its courses are more application-oriented, and its education and research are more aligned with several industry requirements. It offers Engineering, IT and Business Programmes in its January 2026 intake.
Griffith College, Dublin Business School
It is a private college offering undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma programmes in a wide array of disciplines such as business, law, computing, media, psychology and others. The college is still open to applications for its January 2026 intake in different programmes. You can visit their official website for the details.
What Does Studying in the Netherlands Look Like?
Over the years, the Netherlands has gained substantial popularity as a study abroad destination. The education system and its institutions cater to the highest standards of education while maintaining their affordability. What more reason do students need? Well, there’s more – the offered programs are taught in English, which dissolves the language barrier. Students get a post-study visa and work opportunities as well. Students get to explore desired and more rewarding job opportunities. After completing their formal education, opportunities to work are the cherry on the cake.
University of Twente
It is a public technical university offering compact engineering, science and interdisciplinary courses for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The international students are taught in English, and it offers Engineering, Business and Social Sciences in its January 2026 intake programme. For all the details, you must check its official website.
Hanze University of Applied Sciences
It is one of the most prominent and popular institutions for studying Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. It offers Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in January/February intake or September intake. While most programmes accept September intake, some specific programmes accept January/February intake as well. For the January 2026 intake, the university is offering programmes in Business and Management. For further details, you may check their official website.
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences
It is a government-accredited private university offering Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes that are taught in English. Students can apply for the January 2026 intake if the university is offering the subject that they desire to study abroad.
Nyenrode Business University
It is a private business university offering specialized Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in business, leadership, and management. August is the usual starting date for most of the full-time Master’s programmes. In its January 2026 intake, it offers part-time, executive or MBA courses. However, it will be a wise decision to check its official website for confirmed details.
Fontys University of Applied Sciences
Instead of the January 2026 intake, it is offering a February intake, suggesting international students begin their application by November 15, and the deadline is January 15. One of the larger universities offering programmes in applied sciences is offering programmes in ICT, Engineering and Business in its upcoming intake in February. For more details, you may check their official website.
How to Apply for January 2026 Intakes?
No guide is complete without a proper roadmap to apply for an intake. So, here we mention a step-by-step guide to apply for the January 2026 intake:
Shortlisting programmes: You need to zero down on one programme that you want to enrol for; clarity is important. Among the several offered programmes by different universities, you need to check and verify which one you want to pursue. Depending on that, you need to plan and execute the rest of the procedure.
Checking deadlines and requirements: It’s one of the most important things that you must keep in mind. Knowing the process and having the documents in order may fall flat if you miss the deadlines. So, pin it somewhere you can always see and complete the processes well ahead of the deadline. It will also be a good idea not to leave anything for the last moment.
Preparing documents that include SOPs, LOPs and test scores: When seeking admission in institutions abroad, you need to earn your seat there. You must convince the bench about how important the programme is for your career and how deserving you are of the opportunity. So, students aspiring to study abroad must share their Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letter of Recommendation (LOR) in the given format. You also need to furnish the recommended test scores as proof of your eligibility for studying there.
Submitting applications online: Once all the documents are ready, submit them to the university as suggested and within the given deadline. This is basic, and allowing online submission only makes things easier.
Awaiting offer and applying for a student visa: After following the entire process, you need the offer letter from the university. None of the steps matter if you don’t get an offer letter from the university where you applied and for the particular programme. So, you must wait for the offer letter, and meanwhile, you must apply for the student visa.
Opportunities know twice but might not be more than that. This January 2026 intake is your chance to fulfil your wish to study abroad, lay the foundation stone of a promising career. Life is here and now, but with mindful planning, it can be a great journey and even inspire others. Everything depends on your timely decision!