Job Discussion Forums

jobe3x · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 45

I'm looking for a great place to get a distance masters. Could anybody recommend a college that's fairly easy to get into? My grades back in my bachelor's days were not that great. Still above 3.0>.

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

"Great?"

The University of Burmingham has a program that looks good to me, is widely respected by unis in Japan, and is touted as no different in content as their in-house MA. They include seminars held every summer in different parts of the world.

I'm going via the University of Surrey because it was cheaper, and won't require me to make annual pilgramages to the UK, US, Japan or South Korea (I'm based in China.) I can do all of my work from my "home."

The shortest programs available (possible to complete in 1 year) can be found in Austrialia, but these programs focus a lot on Japan; and in my opinion wouldn't qualify as the "best."

Easy to get into?

Some places require that you must have been a teacher for at least two years. Oh the irony - the only way to get a DL MA - arguably one of the highest "qualifications" for TEFL - is to teach without one for years.

The uni I'm going through required letters of reference, my undergrad transcripts, and a CV (it's British). From my poking around on the net, I don't recall seeing minimum grade requirements.

If I were you (and I was last year, so to speak), I'd take a look around, and ask various institutions via email any questions you might have.

But that's just one person's advice, and I'm just getting started.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Leicester in the UK is worth checking out. A note to our non-Brit friends "Leicester" is pronounced as in LESTER YOUNG.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Birmingham is (or at least was in 2000) blinking expensive. You also have to travel to the seminars which, in Japan would have cost me a fortune for travel and accommodation and time off work.

Leicester do a decent one which I did for much less with absolutely no attendance commitment. Total cost to me over three years was just over 3500 quid. I'd definitely recommend it. I got into Leicester with less than two years experience (which was required) due to a stunning ref from the owner of my school and the fact that I had become DoS here some time before so they can be swayed by references and position.

Anyone done the Birmingham one?