85
%Pass rate across all A levels in 2024
15
AS level subjects to choose from
If you are applying to university and need to top up your UCAS points have you considered an AS level?
Whether:
- you’re a young person studying independently or being home educated
- you’re currently taking A levels at school or college and want to add another subject
- you’re returning to learning later in life to gain qualifications you missed out on
- you’re exploring a new subject to support a career change
- or you simply want to study a subject that you enjoy within a formal framework
you can start studying towards an AS level at any age with our online AS level courses.
All of NEC’s online AS level courses are written by experienced teachers and examiners and are accredited by the internationally respected awarding bodies AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR.
When you choose an NEC online AS level course you’ll be able to study flexibly at a time and pace to suit you, and you’ll be supported by a personal tutor who is a subject specialist with a teaching qualification.
Since 1963 thousands of young people and adults have gained life-changing qualifications by studying courses with NEC. Whether you’re aiming for university, building your skills for a new career, or learning more about a subject that interests you, what matters to us most is the success of our students. We’re here to help you — with expert support, flexible learning, a track record you can trust and our exam pass guarantee.
A wide choice of subjects to pick from
You can chose from 15 different subjects to study online with NEC at AS level — from the sciences, English and maths to business and economics, politics and humanities, there’s a course waiting for you.
If you are interested in finding out more about our AS level courses, speak to a Course Advisor.
Why study an AS level
- AS levels provide a stepping stone to a full A level qualification.
- They enable you to explore a subject in depth before committing to a full A level.
- You can top up your UCAS points if you are applying to university.
- Study a subject you enjoy within a more formal framework.
YOUR CHOICE
AS level Courses
AS level Further Maths
Push your mathematical boundaries and explore the world of advanced problem-solving.
Additional support for under 18s
We understand younger students often need an extra helping hand with their studies. NEC’s unique Progress Tracker makes it easy for parents and guardians to follow their child’s progress, access assignment grades and view tutor feedback to ensure effective learning.
Talk to one of our course advisors
Still unsure whether online distance learning is right for you?
Our friendly Course Advice Team are here to help answer your questions and take you through your options.
- Book a call and someone will get back to you at a convenient time.
- Or contact us today by phone or email.
We’re waiting to help you get ahead and achieve your goals, your way.
Experience you can trust
With a legacy spanning more than half a century, NEC has honed its craft in delivering exceptional online and distance learning experiences. Our extensive experience has equipped us with insights into the diverse needs of learners of all ages, allowing us to refine our approach to provide top-notch education that adapts to your individual pace and preferences.
How it works
Discover more about studying with NEC.
Support for Students
Helping students of all ages and backgrounds to achieve their goals, their way.
At NEC, we believe that everybody deserves a chance to achieve their learning goals, no matter their circumstances.
There are many forms of support we can offer our students.
Exams & Assessment
Many of our online distance learning courses require exams to achieve your qualification.
Whilst our courses are flexible in terms of your study schedule, exam dates are set by the awarding organisation.
As an approved centre, we facilitate both exams and non-exam assessments.
Fee Information
As an education charity dedicated to helping independent learners achieve life-changing qualifications we want to keep fees affordable. All of our course fees are clear and transparent to help you play for any additional costs.
Depending on your own circumstances, there are a number of possibilities for getting help with paying for your course.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
Our Student Stories
All Student Stories
Frequently asked questions
Your common questions and concerns answered. Read more FAQs.
NEC offers flexible, online GCSEs, A levels, and vocational courses that you can study anytime, anywhere. When you enrol, you’ll receive a welcome email with login details for learn@nec, our virtual learning platform.
You’ll be supported by a qualified subject tutor who provides feedback on your assignments and helps guide your progress. Our expertly designed courses include engaging materials, interactive learning activities, and selected online resources — all created by experienced teachers, examiners, and learning designers.
Our courses are designed to let you study at your own pace — all within a clearly defined enrolment period to help keep you on track. Many courses let you study your way, with flexible assignment deadlines to suit your schedule. Others may include set dates — especially for things like exams or NEAs (Non-Exam Assessment) — to help you stay on track.
Yes! You can connect with other learners in your course’s online forum. Many students find discussing topics with peers helps reinforce their learning — and helps them feel part of a wider learning community.
Yes. Most NEC courses, including all GCSEs and A levels, lead to qualifications awarded by major UK exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Cambridge International. You’ll earn exactly the same qualification as students in school or college.
We’re also approved to offer CMI qualifications for management, as well as TQUK-accredited courses and Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths. These nationally recognised qualifications are designed to help learners build practical skills and are ideal for both personal development and career progression.
Some short courses, like those in the arts, are for personal development and enjoyment but don’t lead to formal accreditation.
Yes, NEC is a JCQ-approved exam centre, which means we can support your exam entry, provide verified access arrangements, and oversee non-exam assessments (NEAs) — essential for subjects like English, Science and Geography.
We teach you the core practicals that you need to be familiar with for your exam. This varies by course, but each core practical typically includes a method, list of equipment and some sample results. You can have a go at some of these practicals safely at home – we will let you know when this is the case. If the experiment is not safe to complete at home, or if you don’t want to complete the experiment yourself, our detailed description of the investigation will give you the information you need. Where appropriate, we also link videos demonstrating the experiment.
Your assignments include speaking opportunities at set points in the course, which give you the chance to practice your oral skills with your tutor. These live discussions are completed through an online meeting space (BigBlueButton) that you access through your course.
The course materials also provide guidance on speaking. For example, the ebook included with the course contains audio files to support the listening and speaking elements of the exam.
Yes. Many students complete a one-year fast track option, especially if working towards university or career deadlines. You’ll need to commit regular study time and plan carefully around assignment deadlines and exams.
If you’re unsure whether fast track is realistic, we’ll advise you.
Yes. You can enrol any time and begin studying when it suits you. However, if your course involves an exam, you’ll need to complete all assignments and assessments (also known as coursework or NEA — Non-Exam Assessment) in time for set exam dates — so don’t leave it too late!
If you’re planning to apply to university, please also be aware of UCAS deadlines. For example, to receive predicted grades through our UCAS Application Service, you’ll need to have completed a certain number of assignments by specific dates.
Check the individual course pages for guidance, or book a call with an advisor to discuss your timeline and study plans.
Yes — NEC is ideal for international students. Many of our courses are available worldwide, but there are a few things to check before enrolling:
Exams: You’ll need to arrange a local exam centre. AQA does not offer international exams, so you’ll need to travel to the UK for those.
Qualification recognition: Ensure your chosen qualification is recognised in your country.
Our team is happy to help you explore your options.
