Because our courses are delivered by distance learning they can be worked on wherever you are based. This means you can learn with us no matter where you are in the world, and can receive your course materials and communicate with your tutor and course coordinator in exactly the same way that a UK-based student would.

However, there are a few things you should be aware of before you enrol with us if you’re based outside the UK:

Fees

Our course fees are the same amount regardless of whereabouts in the world you are based. However, while the cost of posting materials is included in the course fees for UK-based students, overseas students must pay extra. If you live in the EU, postage will cost £75 for your first course and £40 per course after that. If you live outside the EU, postage will cost £130 for your first course and £70 for each subsequent course.

Standard of English

All of our course materials are written in English, so you’ll need a good standard of written English and English comprehension in order to study with us.

Examinations

Not all of the UK awarding bodies hold exams overseas: AQA exams are not available for private candidates to sit outside the UK at all. If you wish to sit an exam at the end of your course, it’s essential you get in touch with the relevant awarding body before you enrol to find out where you can sit the exam and how much it will cost. You can find contact details for the awarding organisations we work with on our Partners and associates page.

Childcare courses

If you are hoping to work in childcare overseas or are already based in an overseas setting, you should speak to the supervisor in the setting in which you are working or wish to work before you enrol on one of our courses to ensure that the course is appropriate. There may be differences in legislation between the UK and the country in which you will be working  that could mean your qualification will not be valid. There may also be an element of workplace assessment as part of your course, which may not be possible if you are based overseas. Bear in mind also that if your course leads to an exam you’ll need to make arrangements for this as well.

If you are based overseas and enrolling on a childcare course it is essential you speak to our course advice team before you enrol.

BFPO

If you are serving in the forces and have a BFPO address, postage is included in your course fees and will not incur any extra costs.

If you have any other questions about studying overseas, please get in touch with us. Email us at info@nec.ac.uk or call us on (+44) (0)1223 400200.