By: Ann Koenig, AACRAO IES
The Institute of Education (IOE) University of London is set to be merged into the University College London (UCL) according to The Times Higher Education (THE). A formal decision by UCL about the merger is expected on February 11, 2014. The two institutions began a strategic partnership in October 2012.
The IOE is currently a graduate college of the University of London offering teacher training credentials, master’s degrees and doctoral degrees. It began as a teacher training college in 1902, under the joint auspices of the University of London and the London City Council. In 1987 it was awarded a charter as an independent college with degree-awarding authority and became a school of the University of London. Under the merger with UCL, the IOE would become UCL’s largest constituent college. THE reports that there is some concern within the IOE about what the merger will mean for the status of staff at IOE and the IOE’s degree-awarding authority.
The status of higher education institutions in the United Kingdom (UK) can be confirmed by consulting the “Recognised UK degrees” Web page of the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. AACRAO provides resources for understanding the UK system of education and the evaluation of UK credentials through the AACRAO EDGE database and AACRAO publications on education in the UK.