Student Stories

Homeschooler Andrew’s experience of studying IGCSE Chemistry

Last year, we shared Andrew’s experience of how homeschooling was helping him to balance education and family commitments. We caught up with Andrew to…

Mia’s NEC experience and her pursuit of knowledge

There are a number of reasons why students decide that distance learning is a suitable form of education for them and their needs. In…

Andrew’s experience: How homeschooling helps balance education and family commitments

Arguably, one of the biggest benefits to online and distance learning is the freedom it allows students to study at a time and place…

How homeschooling is helping Amelia work towards a medical career

You may have seen us share a recent story about the benefits of distance learning as a mature student. In this post we explore…

Distance learning as a mature student working abroad: Chun’s Experience

As distance learning has grown in popularity as an effective alternative to traditional learning, the benefits of this type of study for mature students…

Sharon’s positive experience of distance learning leads to an A grade in her English Language A level

There’s no denying that distance learning is rapidly gaining popularity as a successful educational platform outside of traditional schools and colleges. With this in…

Martin’s story: From no qualifications and working in a factory to a long academic journey and a professional career

With NEC celebrating our 60th birthday in 2023, we have been asking students for their stories of studying with NEC. Throughout our 60 years,…

Jeremy’s stepping stone to studying Natural Sciences at university

NEC has been working with our partners to provide a series of free webinars on our YouTube channel for anyone interested in studying a…

Meet the recipients of the Russell Kane Scholarship

In July 2022 NEC launched the first annual Russell Kane Scholarship Programme.  Russell Kane, now a multi-award winning comedian, TV and radio presenter, actor,…

What happens when there aren’t enough students to fill a classroom?

Every summer there are dismaying articles about the decline in modern foreign languages in schools. Not to mention the drop in language learning during…

Other articles...

National Extension College appoints new Chief Executive

The National Extension College (NEC) has appointed Esther Chesterman as its new Chief Executive. She takes over from Ros Morpeth OBE, who led the…

Do maths qualifications add value to university applications?

The benefits of studying level 3 maths The 2015 A level and AS reforms decoupled the AS qualification from the A level and resulted…

Thinking about becoming a teacher?

From the classroom to online lessons almost overnight, teachers have been under an incredible amount of pressure throughout the last year. Teachers have been…

From the 1960s to today: A levels with NEC lead to dream teaching job

Over the years, we have helped thousands of students gain English language and literature qualifications and achieve their full potential. Patricia first studied with…

Tuition fee bursaries at the University of Cambridge for NEC students

The Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) and the NEC are collaborating to offer a tuition fee bursary scheme for the 2021-2022 academic year.   This…

An exciting partnership to support your lifelong learning with the Open College of the Arts, exclusive to NEC students!

When you study with NEC you will be able to claim 10% off your first level at the Open College of the Arts. The…

International Women’s Day Student Story: The NEC A level English Literature course was my 1970s lifesaver!

International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate women, highlight inequality and challenge biases. Dr Jacqueline Jeynes studied with NEC in the 1970s and…

How do you become a nurse?

If there has been anything positive to come out of the devastating events of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is perhaps the well deserved attention…

How is bookkeeping done differently in the digital age?

Whether you are running your own business, wanting to develop skills for a career as a bookkeeper, or wanting to support your family business,…

The new online learning generation

Report of a survey of NEC’s changing student profile If you left school as I did without the currency of 5 good GCSEs and…