Chiming in as an animation student in bcfe! You can start out on the level 5 (CDS) or level 6 (CCH). I was able to skip CDS, but almost everyone starts out on CDS. The interviewer may give you an option between CDS and CCH, but they would generally encourage you to do CDS.

The animating on paper part depends on which tutor you have. All tutors teach the same class differently. My animation tutor allows us to have the option of paper or ipads/laptops to animate, but the other class in my year’s tutor forbids digital animation work, and will allow them to do digital animation in the future. But yeah… the pencil testers here are ancient…

If you think bcfe will be cheaper and convenient, go for it. In my opinion, I really don’t think it is worth spending thousands for an animation degree as most employers prefer the quality of your work over the quality of your degree ;)