University of London question

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Tde, Jun 10, 2002.

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  1. Tde

    Tde New Member

    Hi;
    I'm a high school student in Canada and I am thinking about applying to the University of London's Bachelor of Divinity degree; http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/undergraduate/divinity/index.shtml I have a few questions.I would very much appreciate it,if someone with a little knowledge on the subject,could answer those questions,in order of them being asked:

    1) If I WOULD NOT qualify for the Bachelor of Divinity,is it likely that the UoL will take me in for the Diploma in Theology first,so that I could then apply for the Bachelor's? Is the diploma typically a prerequisite?
    2) Is this Bachelor of Divinity program widely recognized around the world? Is it of good reputation?
    3) Has anyone that You know finished the program?
    Is it difficult to finish? What have You heard about it?
    4) I've seen that the UoL has examination centres in Canada,but does the University of London send all the materials through regular mail (from London,England to Canada in my case?) How is the degree awarded at the end? Do they sended it through mail as well? Is there any RESIDENCE (even short) required AT ALL?
    5) Does the degree actually state that it is done through "distance learning" Would it be an obstacle
    later on?

    Thank You for answering in advance!
     
  2. Yan

    Yan New Member

    I don't know about Bachelor of Divinity or Diploma in Theology, but, in general, the entrance requirement for Bachelor degree is 2 'A' Level + 3 'O' Level or 3 'A' Level + 1 'O' Level, etc. or equivalent overseas qualification. The entrance requirement for diploma will be lower than that required for bachelor degree program.

    Course materials will be sent to students through mail (parcel) and there is no compulsory attendance for the program (of course, some local institutions may run the courses to prepare students for the UoL exam.) The examination for each paper is three-hour unseen examination. I think the Bachelor of Divinity program may take the same mode of study and examination.

    As to the University diploma, the 'external student' status is stated in it. However, it also states that both internal and external exam. are at the same standard. The qualification of UoL external degrees is widely accepted in the Commonwealth countries and Asian countries. You have better to check with your government and school counsellors about the recognition of the UoL qualification before commiting yourself to the program.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 10, 2002
  3. telfax

    telfax New Member

    London BD

    University of London degrees in general are prestigious and those people taking the external route are faced with one of the most academically challenging programmes anywhere in the world. The BD degree is probably one of the most academically challenging of all London degrees! It is no 'soft option'. I don't know if they still require students to complete the courses but some years ago you had to complete courses in New Testament Green and Old Testament Hebrew before being allowed to proceed to the second stage of the programme. The web site will probably give you all this information. Many universities have dropped this requirement now and do allow texts to be studied in English although the real/more traditional biblical scholars/students think this is nothing short of lowering standards. I personally disagree, but then I would because I was never that good at languages - ancient or modern!

    You have already been to the web site and if you follow the links through you'll find virtually every response you need to the questions you raise. It is prestigious, it is very, very hard work, and the web site tells you which qualifications are acceptable for entry purposes. The Diploma is no lower in standard or expectation than the BD. You just have to complete fewer modules. The degree diploma will state that you stuidied as an 'External Student' not as a distance learner and it will also state that the standards are exactly the same as if completed as an internal student. External students can attend degree congregations in London, UK I believe to formally receive their degree diploma from the Chancellor (Princess Anne the Princess Royal I think is the present Chancellor). There are absolutely no residency requirements.

    A former colleague of mine recently retired as Principal of one of the UK's leading university church colleges of higher education. He is an ordained Anglican clergyman whose only academic credential was a London BD, and the King's College, London AKC and he was made a canon of the local (ancient) cathedral when he got his principalship!


    Hope this helps.

    telfax
     
  4. roy maybery

    roy maybery New Member

    BD degree

    I teach in the Ontario Public High School System (Grand Erie District School Board). I do this on the strength of a degree obtained from a British University (Leicester.)
    3 year degrees from British Universities are accepted in Canada as being the same as a four year honours degree from Canada or the USA, I know this because I have both used my degree to get into at BEd Brock University and I also get paid on the strength of my British degree.
    The University of London is a respectable institution. It is a university by Royal Charter.
    You might try looking up the following international centre for distance learning web site:
    http://icdl.open.ac.uk/
    or get at it through my own website:
    http://home.cogeco.ca/~krmaybery/homepage.htm
     

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