UK FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can BCIE help me?

BCIE can help you with making the right choice as regards which course to study as well as which institution to study at. Bearing in mind that there are over 300 courses on offer, and over 200 educational institutions to choose from in the UK, BCIE will use its several years of experience as well as competent staff to ensure that you make the best informed decision. BCIE will also guide you through the visa application process, of which our success rate is 99% so long as our advice is followed.

What are the costs of studying in one of your institutions?

You should expect to spend averagely between £8,000 - £12,000 per annum on tuition fees and £6,000 - £9,000 per annum on living expenses which includes accommodation, food, clothing and travel. These costs vary depending on the course of study where lab-based programmes are more expensive, location of university where London-based universities record higher living expenses and also depending on the university where traditional universities normally charge higher fees.

What should I do now?

You need to contact the BCIE office nearest to you through the contacts given on this website for further assistance. The BCIE staff will be happy to assist you as you make this journey in furthering your education.

What do I need to apply?

We will need certified copies of all your academic certificates and transcripts, your CV, a reference letter (2 if applying for a post graduate course), a personal statement of about 250 words and in some cases a processing fee.

Where can I get the university application forms?

Please visit us in our office as we have all the latest application forms, which we will give you to fill and send them on your behalf, together with all the other relevant documentation, to the relevant university.

I understand that I have to pay a deposit?

Yes, in most cases now, universities require that you make a part or full payment on your tuition fees and/or accommodation. This is normally for you to show your commitment towards studying the course and also to reserve your place in the programme and accommodation.

Is my deposit refundable?

The refund policy for most if not all of the universities in our network is that deposits will be refunded in full, minus and administration fee, if the student is denied a visa. In such a case, the original valid visa refusal letter must be produced. Visa refusals emanating from use of forged or falsified information may attract stiffer penalties.

How should I go about applying for the student visa?

BCIE staff are highly trained and have years of experience which they will efficiently apply in guiding you through the visa process. All you need to do is to visit the nearest office to you and meet our members of staff who will be more than happy to assist you.

What is the PBS?

The Points Based System is a new system that is being used by the UK Border Agency to assess and issue permission for students to study in the UK. Each student must meet a minimum of 40 points before they can be issued with a student visa. 30 points are awarded for being in possession of a valid CAS while 10 points are awarded for showing the right financial or maintenance documentation.

What is a CAS number?

The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number is a unique number that is generated for a student who has met all the university requirements, which allows the student to apply for a student visa. The CAS number can only be used once, and therefore, if a student for one reason or another gets a refusal, will be required to re-apply for another CAS number from the institution he wishes to study at.

What is maintenance?

Maintenance has to do with showing that one is able to cater for their education without a problem. The student must show enough funds for their tuition fees and living expenses for the first year of their course and this amount should have been in the account for not less than 28 days. We advise students to visit our members of staff for a clearer explanation on this aspect, as it is relative to the students’ situation.

Is there a penalty if one uses forged of falsified information?

A student whose visa is refused on grounds of forged documentation or falsified information will be automatically banned from applying for any UK visa for 10 years! So dear students, it is better to wait and get your documents right and genuine, than to try and cheat your way through.

What is the time frame for the entire process?

Students should give themselves as much time as possible to go through the entire process. We suggest that students give themselves a minimum of 3 months so that they will be no rush or panicking due to limited time.

Where can I get further information?

Please call or email our offices with whatever enquiries you may have, or pay the office a visit at your convenience for more information!

REMEMBER THAT IT IS BETTER TO UTILISE THIS SERVICE AND GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME ROUND. THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY USED OUR SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS! JOIN THE CLUB!!!!