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. You do not need a visa to go to Northern Ireland if you will stay there less than six months and you do not plan to work while abroad. If you plan to stay longer than six months and/or if you plan to work, you must apply for UK Entry Clearance. You may apply online for UK Entry Clearance at www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk.
st undergraduate students take three modules that are each worth 20 UK credit points, although you can take four courses with permission from the university. Also as a BCA student in Derry, you will take a required course, The Global Conversation. This 3-credit, semester-long course has both online and face-to-face components that will encourage you to get involved in the local community as well as share your experiences with other students studying around the world.
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.
Many BCA Derry students choose to focus on peace and justice studies as well as history, political science, theater and design. You can find peace and conflict/justice courses (called modules in the UK) in the politics, cultural studies, history, law and social policy and administration departments. You are also free to select modules from most of the other university departments. Please see the full list of available modules at prospectus.ulster.ac.uk/modules/.
BCA Derry is located on the Magee Campus of the University of Ulster, the largest university system in Northern Ireland with more than 23,000 students on four campuses. Magee’s campus in Derry is modest in size and situated on a spectacular bluff overlooking the Foyle River.
All BCA Derry students live in Duncreggan Student Village, a large student residence complex located close to the Magee campus. Most BCA students live in an apartment with four other students, each with a single room and shared bathroom. There is a kitchen and dining room in each apartment and a central laundry room for each building.
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.