University of London distance learning Masters?

[NolaRice]

I would say you're correct that most of the prestige for University of London degrees comes from the specific college within the UofL you get the degree from.  For example if you take one from the London School of Economics (LSE) this is a really well known and well thought of college.  The same is true with King's College London (KCL).   The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)…. not so much.   Of course that's within the UK, whether anyone the USA will know the difference or care is another question.

Exactly, though SOAS UoL is quite prestigious in its own right, having produced several heads of states, Supreme Court judges, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and more, which is more than I can say of my state's flagship.