No. To study abroad with BCA, a student must have at least one year of undergraduate study. If you are a first year student, then we encourge you to jump right into planning for your study abroad experience. Your first year in school is a great time to figure out where you want to go and find out what your school's policies are for study abroad, including financial aid, credit transfer and programs available to you. Good Luck!
No. A visa is not necessary to attend Cheltenham if a student plans to study one semester abroad. However, if a student wishes to study the full year in England (any amount of time over 6 months) he/she are required to obtain a visa. Also, if a student plans to apply for an internship or work for pay in the UK, he/she must also apply for a visa. For more visa information please visit www.state.gov/s/cpr.rls/fco, http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html, and travel.state.gov/passport.
Generally, students take four or five classes during a semester, receiving three credits for each class. It is important to consult with your advisor prior to studying abroad to decide what classes are needed to meet academic requirements of your college or university.
BCA Study Abroad aims to engage each participant in an appropriately challenging level of academic work while abroad. We acknowledge that an applicant’s cumulative grade point average is only one indicator of accomplishment and ability.
The BCA Study Abroad expectation is that most students would show at least a B average (3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale) across their course work prior to their study abroad term. Certain host universities may have GPA requirements of their own, in which case the higher GPA requirement of the two would apply.
Recent enrollment history shows our students’ average GPAs have been above 3.44 (4.0 scale). Our post-semester academic results reveal that students with higher and lower GPAs can excel in study abroad. We are open to discuss program selection and course of study for students who do not reach the expected 3.0 GPA.
BCA Cheltenham is located in the Gloucestershire, England. Cheltenham is an attractive and peaceful town of 110,000 inhabitants, situated in the county of Gloucestershire, in the picturesque Cotswolds, an area of outstanding natural beauty, which annually attracts six million tourists from all over the world. Cheltenham is centrally located, and not far from much larger cities such as London (two hours), Birmingham (40 minutes), Bristol (40 minutes) and Oxford (40 minutes) with direct rail links to all. The city dates back to Saxon times, but became "established" by the visit of King George III to the Cheltenham Spa in 1788. Modern businesses and the presence of a 7,000-strong student body at the University of Gloucestershire keep Cheltenham youthful and energetic. For these reasons, it is the ideal location for a well-rounded study-abroad experience.
BCA Cheltenham students usually live in Regency Halls, student housing near the UoG Francis Close Hall campus. The student residences have single, en suite rooms with shared kitchens. All linens and towels are provided, so you don’t need to bring anything. The BCA Cheltenham resident director will send you an e-mail about housing preferences a few weeks before your arrival.
BCA is one of the nation's oldest independent organizations committed to promoting international understanding and academic excellence through college study abroad programs for U.S. students and adult seminars for faculty and administrators. Rooted in the values of peace and justice, BCA promotes international understanding, awareness of global citizenship and academic scholarship through educational exchange. Among the special qualities of BCA's programs are: unique opportunities to study peace and justice issues in places where conflict has profoundly affected culture, history and daily life; opportunity for cultural immersion; and tremendous academic and administrative support.
Financial aid from an individual school is transferred at the school’s discretion, but all federal aid is transferrable. Students should consult their financial aid advisor for further information and advice.
Each university has its own policy for transferring credits, so you will want to check with your university registration and records office to determine whether BCA credits are accepted. Upon completion, BCA sends transcripts from the University of Gloucestershire and BCA course reports to you and your college or university. If your school requires a transcript from a US institution, BCA will provide you with a transcript from Elizabethtown College, which is BCA’s school of record.