Most study visa consultants in Pakistan run ads when they feel quiet, then stop when they get busy. That is backwards. Students decide months before an intake, so the consultants who are advertising when students start comparing options get the best leads at the lowest cost. This guide shows when to run campaigns for each main destination, and how to plan a year of marketing around the intakes.
Why intakes should drive your ad calendar
A student does not wake up one day and apply. They research countries, compare costs, prepare for IELTS or PTE, talk to their parents and arrange funds. By the time they search "study visa consultant near me", many have already spoken to someone. Your ads need to reach them earlier, while they are still deciding where to study and who to trust.
Each intake has three stages, and each needs a different message:
- Awareness (about 9 to 6 months before): "Is Canada or the UK better for my field?", scholarships, costs, post-study work. Video and Reels work well here.
- Enquiry (about 6 to 3 months before): free counselling sessions, profile assessments, IELTS and PTE guidance. This is when lead form and click-to-WhatsApp ads bring the most enquiries.
- Deadline (about 3 to 1 months before): "last chance" messages for students who are ready but have left it late, and retargeting people who enquired but did not book.
The main intakes by country
Dates vary by university and course, so always confirm with the institutions you work with. As a planning guide:
| Destination | Main intakes | Start enquiry campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | September (largest), January; some courses in May | From around January for September, and from around July for January |
| Canada | September (largest), January, May | From around December for September; earlier for colleges with limited seats |
| Australia | February (largest), July | From around June for February, and from around December for July |
| United States | August/September (largest), January | From around October of the year before for the fall intake |
| Europe (e.g. Germany, Italy) | Mostly September/October; some in spring | From around November, as many application windows close early in the year |
A simple year plan
If you serve several countries, you rarely have a truly quiet month. Instead of switching ads on and off, keep a steady base budget all year and add extra budget in the months before each main intake you focus on. For a consultant focused on the UK and Canada, for example:
- December to April: highest budget, for the September intakes in both countries.
- May and June: deadline messages for September, and retargeting earlier enquiries.
- July to October: second push for the January intakes.
- November: awareness content to fill the pipeline for next year.
What to put in the ads
- Be specific. "UK September 2027 intake: free profile check" beats "Study abroad with us".
- Speak to parents too. In Pakistan the family often pays and decides. Costs, safety, part-time work and post-study visas matter to them.
- Ask qualifying questions. Last qualification, grades, IELTS or PTE score, preferred country and budget. This lowers lead volume but saves your counsellors hours.
- Use real proof. Visa approvals and student stories you have permission to share build more trust than stock photos.
The part most consultants miss: follow-up
Education leads come in big waves before intakes, and that is exactly when counsellors are busiest. Leads that wait a day for a reply often go to the consultant who answered first. Before your peak season, make sure every enquiry is answered quickly, assigned to a counsellor and followed up until the student says yes or no. We cover this in detail in why study visa consultants lose student leads.
If you want campaigns planned around your intakes and countries, see our marketing for education and study visa consultants.