University of London diploma wording

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by James Barrington, Oct 10, 2001.

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  1. James Barrington

    James Barrington New Member

    Has anyone here graduated from the Distance Learning program at the University of London or at least familiar with it? I am interested in applying for one of the school's master's degree (MSc) and am trying to find out what it exactly states on the diploma. More specifically, I would like to know if the words "Distance Learning", "External Programme" or the like are included in the diploma. The University of London's website states that "there is only one University of London degree" in order to assure the distance learner that he is not getting a lesser degree than those awarded to those graduating from the conventional method. However, this does not mean that the actual diploma for the distance learner is the same as that as the non-distance learner. I e-mailed the school but I only received some canned reply which did not address the question. If anyone here knows FOR SURE what the diploma states, I would appreciate it if you could let me know. Thank you.
     
  2. Yan

    Yan New Member

    If one studies as an external student, the diploma will state that one "having studied as an External Student and passed the approved examinations ...." and the name of degree, e.g. MASTER OF SCIENCE in particular area.

    However, it is also stated in the diploma that "Candidates granted degrees and other awards shall have attained the same academic standard irrespective of mode or place of study or examination". The University claims that the examination standards, internal and external, are the same and it has long been believed by others as that. For example, quite a large number of lawyers in Asian countries obtain their legal qualifications through the external London LLB programme.
     
  3. James Barrington

    James Barrington New Member

    Yan, thank you for your response.

    Doesn't that seem to be alot to put onto a diploma? The university's website states something like that, but I didn't think that they would write all of that on a diploma. I just can't see where it would all fit, unless they put all of that in fine print.

    Just wondering, have you actually seen the University of London's diploma?

    Thank you.
     
  4. Yan

    Yan New Member

    Yes, the wordings in the diploma is in fine print and the sentence of "Candidates granted degrees and other awards shall have attained the same as academic standard irrespective ...." is in small print at the bottom of the diploma. In fact, the design and wrodings of an UK diploma are much simplier than that of the US.

    I obtained an MSc from the University last year.
     
  5. James Barrington

    James Barrington New Member

    Yan, thank you once again for your input.

    When I initially posted, I did not really expect to encounter someone who received a University of London DL master's degree. I was just hoping to find someone familiar with the program or had known someone who had attended.

    If you don't mind, Yan, I have a few more questions:

    1. Which of the MSc degrees did you receive? I am considering applying for the MSc in either Applied Environmental Economics or Financial Economics.

    2. How would you rate the program? Degree of difficulty?

    3. Have you had any difficulty in gaining acceptance of your degree?

    4. On the diploma, are the words "University of London" used as well as the specific college you graduated from, e.g., "School of Oriental and African Studies", "Imperial College" or "Royal Holloway"? Which is at the top of the diploma and given more prominence?

    Thanks once again.
     
  6. Yan

    Yan New Member

    Hi, James. My MSc is in Financial Economics and offered through the School of Oriental and Africa Studies (SOAS). The programme is quite flexible as it allows you to complete 7 subjects in the programme within 5 years. One has to complete 4 compulsory subjects (part 1) and three other subjects (through a number of elective courses) (part II). Each subject has 2 or 3 assignments and a final unseen examintion (3 hours). All assignments of a subject must be submmitted in order to qualify one to attend the final exam. (I think this rule is still valid for SOAS programmes).

    One needs to spend time for assignments and each assignment is around 2,500 words. The final examination is 3 hours duration and one has a choice of questions (all essay questions). The specimen examination paper of each subject will be available to each candidate with the learning materials package. The specimen exam. papers are quite useful as it gives you hint about the style and depth of examination. The learning materials are supported by textbooks (including in the package - already including in the course fees). You don't need to bother about buying textbooks.

    As to those students in the UK system, the programme is difficult but achievable. I think that the pass rate is quite high (according to the information in the programme brochure - I can't remember the figures). Generally, one must have an undergraduate degree in Economics, business or finance for this programme. However, if the University has some doubt about the relevancy of students' degrees (e.g. in areas other than Economics and Business), the Unviersity may offer Postgraduate Diploma (equivalent to Part I of MSc) which can be transferred to part II of MSc if the pass marks of the Postgraduate Diploma are up to the requirement of the MSc. The pass marks for postgraduate diploma and MSc is 40 and 50 respectively. Distinction will be offered to those achieving 75 marks on average.

    As an US student, one may need time to adapt to the UK assignments and examination style. As to the recognition of the external Lond degrees, I don't have such experience as I have not used it for finding a new job. Generally, a degree, internal or external, from the University of London is widely accepted in the European Union and Asian countries. However, I don't know its acceptance in the US.

    The DL degree from the University only bears the name of the "University of London" (at the top of the degree parchment), the offering college or school is not named in the degree. I don't know if there is any diffence in diploma wordings to those attended internally. Does anyone in the forum know about it?

    I hope the above can answer your questions. Good luck.
     
  7. James Barrington

    James Barrington New Member

    Yan, thank you for taking the time to reply to my questions. The information you provided was very informative.

    Your assistance was most appreciated.

    Best regards,

    James
     
  8. Caballero Lacaye

    Caballero Lacaye New Member


    Dear Yan,

    Greetings!

    According to the information I received from the London School of Economics, if you study a MSc in Economics there, you would receive a physical diploma stating something like, "University of London degree awarded by the London School of Economics". Conclusively, I no doubt suppose that a residential MSc from the School of Oriental and African Studies would read somethng like, "University of London degree awarded by the School of Oriental and African Studies".

    Clearly, for whatever reason, the University of London makes a distinction between external and internal students.

    My best regards,


    Karlos Alberto Lacaye
    [email protected]
     
  9. Yan

    Yan New Member

    Yes, that is the point concerned by many students. Interestingly, the University claims the standard, internal and external, is the same, whilst it differentiates the internal and external qualifications. It may be simply as a tradition of the University for more than a hundred years.

    In fact, many UK universities award the same degree (without mentioning the mode of study) for both full-time, part-time, internal and external students.
     
  10. Caballero Lacaye

    Caballero Lacaye New Member


    Dear Yan,

    Greetings, again!

    I have heard that the reason why the physical diplomas are not the same is because the college for external students is in actuality the "External College", not a traditional constituent college. Still, the end result does not vary: the physical diploma is different.

    On a side note, I once explored the possibility of transfering from the "External College" to a constituent college to take the last year residentially in London. Unfortunately, this is not possible, either.

    Kindest regards,


    Karlos Alberto Lacaye
    [email protected]
     

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