Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jondo]

Hi, I need to choose between an online/distance learning MATESOL programme from either University of Birmingham or Institute of Education University of London. Could you please tell me which of the two is higher ranked and better? While a google search indicates uni of Birmingham to be ranked 22-23 I cannot find any info on IOE at Uni of London, but a Wikepedia search states that for teacher training it's up their with Oxford. But that's all there is and it's not enough to go by. I want to choose the higher ranked institute. I'd appreciate your help.
Thanks in advance.

[alistaircandlin]

The Birmingham curricullum is well put together, in terms of readings. I got good feedback, and responses from my tutor. However there is nothing in the way of tuition. for this reason I felt the programme was not worth the fees. I felt I was paying for a reading list, and some comments from my tutor.

I decided to switch to an M.Ed. course instead, but if I had of wanted to continue an MA TESOL, the IoE is probably the one that I would have gone for. I studied at Birkbeck for a year, which is right next door and one of the other students did his PGCE English there - he highly recommended it.

They have an impressive staff list there, as Stephen J. Ball mentions about seven minutes into this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81LxlNlujBM

I've got a feeling, without any hard evidence, that IoE is the place to study education in the UK.

Having said that, I've not heard anything about their TESOL programme, apart from checking out their site last year. Don't they do some online tuition though? Can you find any student feedback? I can't imagine that they'd put together a poor programme, but one sometimes gets the feeling that MA TESOLs are moneyspinners for institutions.

[Seoulman69]

I've heard that Birmingham isn't as good as it used to be. I would go for the IoE.

[Jondo]

Thanks for the post guys. I appreciate it. My main priority is choosing the one that is more prestigious and higher ranked. I just can't seem to find IOE in the rankings altho after your feedback I'm inclined to choose it over Birmingham.
Thanks

[aq8knyus]

@Jondo

The Institute of Education is a constituent college of the University of London. It joined in 1909 and the UoL itself was founded in 1836, so it has been around for a long time.

It has about the same prestige as the red bricks and the ancient scottish universities. Plus outside of the UK employers will be able to recognise a degree from the University of London.

[Jondo]

@ aq8knyus, thank you for that reply.
Just to confirm, are you saying the IOE is higher ranked/more prestigious than Uni of Birmingham which is ranked 22/23?
Thanks

[aq8knyus]

[figshdg]

I'd be surprised if you find it in any mainstream rankings. There's a few excellent places in the UK to study at that are specialist, so are not included in the main rankings. Have a look at the other constituent colleges of the UoL to get an idea of its place. I would suspect, if it were ranked, that it would rank above Birmingham.

[Swampfox10mm]

I am not sure if the relationship was repaired, but Birmingham used to be associated with a university in Seongnam. That relationship ceased a few years ago, from what I know. Outside of a few local "tutors" whom you send your assignments to, I'm not sure it's considered a local program anymore. I could be wrong.

To be honest, the whole distance vs. local program thing isn't an argument anymore, anyway. It makes zero difference in the USA, anyway. One of our teachers used his distance MA to move on to a Ph.D. program at a good school back home. I don't think it costs him so much, as it's paid via work study or something.

[Jondo]

Thank you very much guys. I really appreciate the informed and helpful feedback.