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…

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Finding a way to pay for your learning

Photo credit: Nick Youngson – nyphotographic.com Some offers listed on this page may have now expired. For the latest information on our fees and…

How does written non-examination assessment (NEA) work?

If you’re taking A levels in English language, English literature or history you’ll need to think about the written piece of non-examination assessment (NEA)….

How does practical non-examination assessment work?

For some courses, there is a practical element such as science practical sessions. In our blog this week exams expert Louise talks about how…

Why learning is a big issue for the homeless

Cambridge wildlife photographer and Big Issue seller Mark Siequien is bursting with ideas for the small business he wants to set up. Stored on…

Booking exams with NEC

This blog post was updated on 23rd October 2019 At NEC we can guarantee our students an exam place at one of our partnership…

Five barriers to achieving GCSEs and A level qualifications that need to be removed to open the doors for distance learners

Education policy makers and the organisations that make up England’s exam infrastructure rarely give a second thought to independent learners taking GCSEs and A…

Being an NEC Intern

Today’s blog is the second posted by NEC Marketing and Policy Intern Rea Duxbury, pictured above. Rea worked with NEC during the summer and…

Teachers, technology and the future of learning

This week’s blogger is former NEC GCSE English student Naila Din. Now a freelance arts advisor and business coach, Naila turned to teaching as…

How do we reverse the decline in mature student numbers?

Today’s blog is written by NEC Marketing and Policy Intern Rea Duxbury, pictured here (centre) with NEC Chief Executive Ros Morpeth (left) and Cambridge…

Making the most of your tutor

Making the most of your tutor Your tutor will be the person most closely involved with your work on your course, guiding your studies…