Job Discussion Forums

Justin Trullinger

I'm considering a distance program with this university, and I wondered if anybody has any experience with them, stories to tell, or suggestions.

For details, see this link:

http://www.aston.ac.uk/lss/academicgroups/english/teaching/distance-learning/02_msc/

Best,
Justin

Mike_2003 · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 344 Location: Bucharest, Romania

Sounds interesting. Have you contacted them for the fees?

Can't help you with the uni. I believe I visited it once in the early 90s as a friend was going there. I think it was a poly in those days.

If you find anything out, let us know.

Cheers,
Mike

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 3:13 pm Post subject:

Fees this academic year: EU* �5,925
Non-EU �6,995

The only remaining intake period this academic year is in April, so frankly I doubt I'll make it.

Fees next academic year:
UK/EU* �6,100
Non-EU �7,200

The fees are neither high nor low in my opinion. The advantages of this one, as far as I can see, are that A) the modules look interesting to me; and B) it can be done completely at distance. (Meaning no flight costs, or time off work costs.) C) they seem to be willing to be flexible about alternative qualifications to meet entry requirements.

I'd be interested in knowing about other distance programs- especially if they meet those criteria. I've considered onsite programs, but am pretty committed to staying in Ecuador right now, and don't feel that a degree from an Ecuadorian uni carries the same weight.

Best,
Justin

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

I'm told students on the Aston MSc these days have half to a full module less to study than students of a few years ago ... but the course is still well respected and no cake walk ...

Aston have a few study centers set up in various parts of the world where you have access to a number of core books and journals ... lecturers also pay visits to these centers every half year or so to give workshops ...

The staff were always very professional and were prompt in their dealings via e-mail ...

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 5:02 pm Post subject:

Thanks Sheik! What's your story- know Aston?

I stumbled upon this degree program, as a guy I know happens to be completing his dissertation at the moment.

I'd pretty much given up the idea of a distance masters, as most seem to either charge US style tuition, or to require summer onsite. Neither of which I can afford right now.

But when I heard about this one, I sent an information query, and have been extremely impressed by their staff's promptness and professionalism. The program looks good academically- no cake walk, but a lot of worthwhile material and content.

Best,
Justin

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Have you checked out Australian and South African Universities?

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

Exactly what I was going to say, Stephen! Smile

Two Australian universities I've looked at are Macquarie and Monash. Both have programs completely via distance. What types of units are you looking for Justin?

Lozwich.

MELEE · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:05 pm Post subject:

Several years ago I explored the Aston distance Masters because I have a diploma in Educational Management from International House and IH worked with Aston on it and I would get credit towards the Aston MA for my dip. BUT, I felt that the fees were too high for my Mexican pesos to cover and I was disappointed that they took my dip, which I completed over 9 months as work that with them would only take 3 months. The module that they would give me credit for was not nearly as extensive as the work I did on that dip.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks everybody,

I'm particularly interested in course and materials design, as this is largely what I do.

Educational Management in TESOL is another module on the Aston course that seemed relevant to my current job- though it sounds less interesting, we'll see.

At a personal level, I'd really like to deepen my understanding of SLA at a theoretical level- but most programs that go into this in too much depth seem to have relatively limited practical relevance.

I've checked Australian unis, but haven't found anything I'm a hundred percent excited by. Hadn't thought of South Africe, but will have a google at it, and will check out the schools you mentioned.

Thanks again,

Justin

Sherri · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:58 pm Post subject:

Hi Justin
I got my MA TESL from the University of Birmingham, UK.

I am also interested in materials and curriculum design. There are modules that cover this aspect and of course you can choose to do your dissertation on whatever holds your interest.

I can thoroughly recommend it. If you have any specific questions, let me know.
Sherri

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Justin, have a look at my site at the bottom of my post and click on distance masters. I have about 20 listed there, all are accredited and all but two can be done entirely by distance.

kaw · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 3:19 pm Post subject:

For more info on UK Postgard courses have a look under www.prospects.ac.uk. Once on that site go into 'Postgrad study' then 'find courses'. For distance learning courses you'll then have to go into 'advancd search' and distance learning in 'mode of study. You'll find a good variety of courses listed under both Education and Linguistics and is where I've looked when searching.
It saves traipsing round random websites.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject:

Thanks everybody! Lots of good info, and you've all really helped to inform my search.

Anybody have any advice on how to pay for a masters on an Ecuadorian salary?

And what modules did you do, Sheik?

Thanks again,
Justin

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536