Korean Job Discussion Forums

debo-smile · Joined: 05 Aug 2010

Hi,

Can anyone tell me if a BA degree from the Open University (UK) is accepted by the Korean government to teach english there? I have sent my application to a recruitment agency and they seem to think this degree may not be accepted as it is a distance learning degree. It is an accredited university and the largest in the UK so I don't think it will be a problem but I'm a little worried!

Thanks,

Debbie

Marklong · Joined: 04 Aug 2010

Hi Debbie,

If you have a certificate saying Bachelors of Arts stamped officially i don't see the problem. Do not ask them if this is fine, assume it is in a confident manor as asking them if this degree is ok straight away sends bad signals.

As a prerequisite for an E-2 Visa is a degree in any discipline. So i dont see a problem as i said but i cant be 100% sure. I mean if you can achieve bachelors degrees from polytechnic colleges/institutions that do not even have university status so..

debo-smile · Joined: 05 Aug 2010

Ok thanks for that, I will keep my fingers crossed and not worry too much! Smile

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

nobbyken · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Location: Yongin ^^

An Open University is the biggest university in the world, and operates in Korea too. There is a dispatch centre near my home. I got my BSc from them in Scotland and with fees of about 500GBP per year they look like being a good choice for more students in the future.

Oliver · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Location: Seoul, Korea

nobbyken · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Location: Yongin ^^

Give or take, depending on course materials.
One of mine had a mini science lab with it;others didn't.

A 4-year degree for less than 2,500 GBP is what is making it more popular option in the UK these days. Plus you can keep up your day job to pay any expenses or debts youi have to service. It is the choice of many professionals, though the post-grad course seem to run over 2,000 GBP per year.

debo-smile · Joined: 05 Aug 2010

Thanks everyone that's reassuring, The Open University certainly should be recognised by the Korean Government as they receive funding from the UK government. They are going to write a letter for me to the recruitment agency/EPIK explaining their accreditation etc.
I would certainly recommend studying with the OU as you can fit it in with working full time and I've really enjoyed the experience, although it's been tough at times.

Debbie Smile

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

debo-smile · Joined: 05 Aug 2010

Ok thanks ttompatz that's good advice - I don't know why the recruitment agency haven't suggested that!

Smile

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

I recently had a round of interviews with an OU cert. I was always questioned what the 'Open University' was all about, and as soon as I mentioned the word 'distance', nearly everyone frowned. So I had to really sell the merits of my course and what I had gained from it to turn people's opinion.

However, for immi purposes, as long as though it's a 3-4 year degree course from an 'accredited' university, then it's fine.

Unless anyone asks, perhaps just don't mention the word 'distance'. For Koreans, top university names mean everything. Everything else is beneath them!

debo-smile · Joined: 05 Aug 2010

Thanks Hotpants, it makes me cross the OU degree can be frowned upon like that because most OU students are trying to juggle a full time career alongside their study and I believe they display a strong sense of self motivation and discipline through their distance study and at the end of the day it's a lot of hard work! Think the recognition needs to be improved!............... ok, rant over! Smile

elliot79 · Joined: 08 Oct 2010 Location: England

Debbie how did it go?

did you get your E2 visa?

i've just posted a thread, i studied with the O.U. and now i get an e-mail saying immigration won't accept it. Crying or Very sad

i'm praying this will get sorted out asap, as i've turned down many other job offers and and spent a fortune on getting things ready.

debo-smile · Joined: 05 Aug 2010

Hi - I am very surprised to hear your Open University degree has been declined, I have recently been informed by EPIK that it is accepted.
I haven't applied yet as I am waiting for my references to come through and I won't have my degree results until December. But I've been told by EPIK that I can apply before graduating and they have reassured me that Open University is accepted. It makes me very cross to hear about situations like yours as we work bloody hard to get our degrees just like everyone else and it can be much harder studying in your own time alongside a full time job and in some cases a family too!

The OU do have an office in North Korea, although I'm not sure if that will be of much help! But if you contact the OU directly they are able to write a letter explaining their accreditation etc. which can be passed on to potential employers.

I am very sorry to hear about your difficulty in obtaining a visa due to having an OU degree, I'm not sure what to suggest because as I say I haven't applied yet (for March 2011) but all I can say is that I was informed by EPIK that OU degrees are accepted.

I hope something work outs for you,

Debbie