Frequently Asked Questions

• What level of English proficiency must I have?
B1 level or above except for the General English where beginners are accepted.

• How can I apply?
Any person 18 years of age or older who is not a native speaker of English can enroll in an ESL programmes. Email us at cell@cavehill.uwi.edu for further information.
 
If you are part of an organisation that wants to send a group of employees or students, please feel free to contact us about our specially designed courses.

• Can I learn “good English” in Barbados? Won’t it be Creole English or dialect?
Certainly you will hear a non-standard English on the streets, but most people are bi-dialectal, which means that they can make the shift from the standard to the non-standard and vice versa, depending on the context. Barbadians are such friendly and helpful people that when you tell them you are learning English they do immediately attempt to make the shift.  Additionally, ALL the instructors are well-qualified, highly proficient speakers of English, with an added bonus of having certification in Linguistics.

• Do you prepare students for the TOEFL or other such exams?
Our courses certainly give students the tools to pass even the most difficult ESL exams, as evidenced by former students’ pass rates in these exams (IELTS, TOEFL) after taking our courses.

• What certification will I receive when I complete a course? Is this recognised by other universities or institutions outside of Barbados?
If you fulfil the requirements for the course, you will receive a certificate of proficiency, for courses three months or longer, or certificate of completion or participation for all other courses. We are an accredited university, and as such, this certification should be recognised by other universities and institutions outside of Barbados.

• Do you offer online courses?
Yes, we offer both online and blended (face-to-face and online) courses.

• Do I need to apply for a student visa?
Yes. You are required to have a student visa if you are enrolled in face-to-face programmes exceeding 3 weeks. The cost of the student visa is US$150.  However, we will faciliate this process on your behalf.  You can enter the island with the letter of acceptance which we will issue you once you have registered and paid for your course.

• Do I need travel and health insurance?
We recommend that you have comprehensive travel and health insurance.

• Where can I stay? Will the University help me find housing?
You may opt to stay with a family (homestay) or in a private self-catering apartment or house near the university, which you can share with another student.  The average cost for homestay is US$75 per night, including breakfast , a private room and daily transportation.  Meals are not included in the private apartments/houses.  You are expected to purchase or prepare your own meals at home in the full out-fitted kitchen.  The average cost is US$575 - $800 per month for shared accommodation. The University’s Accommodations Officer will provide you with the costing and assist with the necessary arrangements once you have been accepted.

• What should my overall budget be?
Check our website for assistance in estimating your overall additional expenses apart from the course fee:
https://www.cavehill.uwi.edu/cell/cost.aspx.

• How can I pay?
Students must pay in full prior to their arrival in Barbados. Payments may be made by wire transfer, bank draft or credit card.
 

• What documents do I need to send to register?
Apart from your online application form, you should send us a completed university medical form and the H1 and H2 visa forms. For a checklist go to: https://www.cavehill.uwi.edu/cell/how-to-apply.aspx.

• What is our cancellation policy?
The mounting of each course is subject to enrolment levels. The University reserves the right to cancel any course if enrolment is below its requirements.  Students enrolled in any course at the time of cancellation will be entitled to a refund of any fees paid. If you wish to withdraw your application for the programme, you are required to provide us with written notice.  You will be granted a refund of fees based on the date on which an application for withdrawal is made.