I wanted to take admission in TEFL diploma and Msc Sociology from iqbal open university.
I've recieved the prospectus and the admission form. However, the staff member said we don't give 2 admissions to 1 student and that I can assure it? ?

So i guess he wasn't sure. Besides, diploma degree has nothing to do with the master's degree and these programmes are available only once a year.
As I can't attend regular classes, I have no other option than this university.

Any guidance would highly be appreciated.

Whatever the representative/staff member told you is correct. Actually, AIOU clearly mentions that no student can get admission in two or more programmes simultaneously. If a student applies for more than one programme, his candidature will surely be rejected for both programmes or he may be given admission in the programme for which AIOU receives the application first.

Regarding your wish and need, I would suggest you to go for one programme only. Either take admission in M.Sc or do Diploma in TEFL. Also keep in mind that AIOU's Diploma in TEFL is one year programme and you have to take admission in M.A TEFL (for another year) to complete your Masters in TEFL. If you don't take admission in 2nd year of TEFL, you will not be a Mastes equivalent degree holder

So, first decide that which degree you wanna attain. M.Sc Sociology can provide better options for jobs, and, if you do Masters in TEFL, you will get Masters in English equivalent degree. The decision is yours. But, never make a mistake to be enrolled in AIOU's two or more programmes simultaneously.
Best wishes ahead!

__________________
"But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we'll not fail." _Shakespeare, 'Macbeth')

Jazakalla khair brother.....I wish you well in every step!

Yeah I've called the university and confirmed. ..and they replied exactly like you.
To be honest I have no idea....I'm in dilemma =s
Couldn't pick one!...

If I go for sociology then I should take tefl diploma online...because regular classes I can't attend....that's my biggest problem..besides I'm not a teenager and I have works to do so I'm willing to end up with my Master's degree and tefl diploma soon


Do you know any recognised institute from where I can do tefl diploma online??

Would you please tell the vital reason doing TEFL diploma necessarily?
If you want to teach and esp. English as a core subject, don't go for M.Sc. Rather, do Diploma in TEFL and then spare one more year for M.A TEFL. And if this is not the case, simply do M.SC Sociology and you will be at a better stage. Insha'Allah.

There are certain varsities offering TEFL in weekend classes now a days. So, do search and if you find one near to your reach, it can also prove helpful for you.

__________________
"But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we'll not fail." _Shakespeare, 'Macbeth')

Yes brother I have reasons....I'm Egyptian pakistani. ...native arabic speaker....was born and raised in KSA due to some circumstances I lost my visa...
Now I'm not qualified enough to get a new visa...especially when I have an infant child...
Although I have teaching experience and stuff....but mostly they hesitate to provide visa for my less qualifications and being a family person.
Did you get it??
So my aim was to teach sociology or psychology along with tefl diploma in order to get good teaching job opportunity.
tefl diploma is mandatory in every other school even if you are applying for math subject. ...hope you got my words!

So I have no clue about anything here...when I say no clue it means blank =s
I've searched a lot. ....faislabad university, baha din zakria university are providing online tefl but I must go to faislabad in order to appear in the examination which I can't do
I'm in Rawalpindi....
trust me brother I'm searching from last 8 months....and found iqbal open university suitable. ...and now after waiting curiously this reply I'm getting from them

Hmmm! Yup, got it.
In that case, both degrees are equally important to you. I can suggest one other way: Do TEFL form AIOU and get registered in M.Sc as a private candidate in any of the nearest varsity. Obviously, TEFL will be completed in 1 year and 4 months. During this, you can take part-I exam and obviously you will be going to appear in the Par-II exam. Uni. of Gujrat, Uni. of Sargodha, Punjab University, NUML Islamabad Campus and many other universities are offering Masters as private programme. In this case, you will not take regular classes; time will be saved; and above all, you can get both degrees within specific time.

__________________
"But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we'll not fail." _Shakespeare, 'Macbeth')

I wanted to do exactly the same.....again I've searched a lot of universities and wasted a year...as I couldn't find any university providing sociology for a private candidate.
Even your mentioned universities, I have called there and confirmed.
I have the Internet only to search on....that's why I ask a lot of questions here. ...sorry in advance if I'm being annoying

First, by having no choice of subjects for private students, I was preparing myself for English literature but then realized that it's not my subject....I didn't like it at all......
English Linguistic is sure a better subject for me than the literature. ..but again it's not for private students

My BA subjects were Journalism in English, arabic literature & sociology in English. ....so I can do MA with mass communication or sociology. ..that's it
Mass communication has no scope in ksa.....so I'm left with no subject other than sociology. ..which is highly required in ksa
You see...I don't want to spend a year doing tefl diploma. ..then register for MA tefl and wait for 6 months for the session to begin...rather I prefer to start my sociology and within this 2 years I might find any online tefl institute or perhaps any university would start distance or part time tefl diploma (other than iqbal open I mean)

It's like hurdles are everywhere lol.....getting an education has become a tough thing like a war XD
Besides....the iqbal open's admission procedure is the lengthiest procedure in this universe lol

May Allah show me way...as I have this month to decide and fill the form in order to appear in the entry test

Islamia University Bahawalpur offers Sociology as a private subject at Masters level. It's better to call and confirm it first directly from IUB admission dept. Registration and exam dates are announced at a single time. So, you can save your time also thru this way in IUB. The admissions start usually in April/May in IUB for Private sudents.

__________________
"But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we'll not fail." _Shakespeare, 'Macbeth')

I just called and confirmed. ..they said we don't provide MA sociology for private candidates. ...I said I've seen it at several links....they said nop....you can assure it from our MA department's head....they gave me his personal number and said a big NO
8- months back I called here as well...now I remember

It's sad to listen so. Actually, I had heard about IUB info from one of my friends, and this is also mentioned in many a site.
Anyhow, final recommendation can be that you may do M.Sc form AIOU. Or, M.A Political Science form any other university as a private candidate provided it is worth doing for you. Within two years, you may find any chance for doing TEFL. One other way can be to get yourself registered as a regular candidate in any average ranked Private College. They mostly don't ask to take classes on regular basis, or you can deal it with them while taking admission. They just need the fee, and you just a private college to be called a regular student and to send your admission as a regular student. This can save your precious time.

These are some suggestions from mine. May it be any worth for you. I wish you all the best and please don't lose heart. You will get the desired way soon. Take care! Adieu!

__________________
"But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we'll not fail." _Shakespeare, 'Macbeth')