Lifelong Learning

Benefits of Homeschooling: Is Home Education Right for Your Family?

Over the years, homeschooling and home education has grown in popularity and is now a more accepted form of successful education. More and more…

How NEC’s Inclusive Approach to Learning Design is Redefining Independent Learning

Hello, I’m Helen Davies. As the Online Learning Manager at the National Extension College (NEC), I’ve had the privilege of leading a project focused…

The Future of Art History: Why Study A level History of Art with the National Extension College?

Art history is more than just a study of paintings and sculptures; it’s a gateway to understanding cultures, societies, and the human experience through…

National Coding Week 2024: The Vital Role of Coding in the Modern World

National Coding Week started on 16th September, and is the perfect time to highlight the importance of coding – especially with this year’s focus…

Why should you study Art History

Do you often find beautiful pieces of art catching your eye? Are you curious about the history of art? Art History isn’t just about…

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Online?

When it comes to studying, traditional school and educational settings aren’t the only options for students. With distance learning and online education becoming more…

University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education offers tuition fee bursary for NEC A level students

Applications open now  Continuing the relationship that began in 2021, the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) and NEC are once again collaborating to offer…

What Qualifications Do I Need to Be a Nurse?

Have you decided that this year is the year you finally take that leap towards a new career? Are you considering a career in…

Why is it important to study maths?

In today’s world where technology is so openly available, it’s easy to assume that maths skills aren’t as in high demand and worth continuing…

What is an AS level?

Have you come across AS level courses, but have no idea what they are? In this blog post, we’ll explore the ins and outs…

Other articles...

Celebrating 50 years of the OU

Above: NEC Chief Executive Dr Ros Morpeth showing support for the Open University  Yesterday evening a distinguished crowd gathered at the House of Lords…

Can you do an A level in a year?

One of our most frequently asked questions, especially at this time of year, is whether you can be ready for an A level within…

How I learnt to love learning

Today’s guest blog is written by Chris Holligan, Professor of Education at The University of The West of Scotland. Chris details how his life…

A home educator’s journey – Part 8: Studying GCSE Maths

Anna and Lucy are a mother and daughter who are sharing their experiences of online distance learning and home education. In this edition of…

A brief history of NEC and broadcasting

Tonight (April 25th) at 9pm, BBC 4 will be broadcasting a new hour long documentary ‘Happy Birthday OU: 50 Years of The Open University’….

Happy 50th Birthday OU!

‘We are thinking rather of the people who cannot turn up regularly for ordinary classes, above all of married women housebound by their children,…

English Language Day 2019

23rd April has special resonance in England. It’s St George’s Day (England’s patron saint) as well as the traditional date on which to celebrate…

A home educator’s journey – Part 7: GCSE Revision at home

This post was originally published on April 17th 2019 and updated on March 23rd 2020. Anna and Lucy are a mother and daughter who…

How to study maths

What is Maths? People often talk about maths as if it were a great mystery. ‘I can never understand maths.’ ‘You can do maths!…

Second-chance learning in prison

About the author: David Breakspear was released from prison in June 2017. While there, with the help of funding through organisations like The Prisoners’…