Student Stories

Try something new this year!

Throughout NEC’s history, many retired people have chosen to spend some of their new-found leisure time studying a subject that they’ve always been passionate…

Reaching for the stars with flexible online learning

Holly took the decision to leave mainstream education in Year 10 after struggling to cope in school. She has autism and suffered from anxiety…

Online A levels with NEC leads to BSc Political Science at University of Amsterdam

Mina started the International Baccalaureate but found that it didn’t afford her a lot of subject choice. Fitting the study schedule around her social…

Aspiring medic uses distance learning with NEC to prepare for her GCSEs from Ukraine

Sanya had been attending school in Edinburgh before the Covid-19 outbreak; the first five months she spent distance learning were more of an urgent…

Lesley retired and moved to Italy where she took her love of art history online

Lesley took early retirement in April 2020 and moved to Italy. Prior to that she had worked as an engineer for about 30 years…

CMI qualification with NEC supports NHS career development

Rhiannon works for the NHS as a Business Manager and prior to enrolling with NEC was supporting a senior Director of Nursing who was…

Fitting in GCSEs between care shifts

Amy had been working shifts in the care sector and wanted to apply for a degree in medicine. She didn’t leave school with quite…

Changing keys: from jazz guitar at a conservatoire to an engineering degree at the University of Sheffield

Toby left school with a string of A*s at GCSE, but the experience of suffering a bereavement during his exams led him to abandon…

National Work Life Week 2021: finding time for professional development 

National Work Life Week, established by the not-for-profit Working Families, takes place every year between the 11th and 15th of October. It is a…

Rediscovering self-belief through A level History of Art

When NEC student Rosa decided to give herself a second chance at further education, it was not for lack of success the first time…

Other articles...

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…

Schools and Academies Show 2024: Insights for School Leaders

The Schools and Academies Show takes place twice a year, attracting 6,000 attendees. The event is committed to fostering innovation, inspiration and learning in…

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…

NEC’s Learning Design: A Pathway to Success for Independent Learners

If you’re considering studying for a GCSE or A level with the National Extension College (NEC), you may be wondering: how will NEC help…

Meet NEC’s Board of Trustees

Trustees play an essential role in leading and governing charities, offering their time and commitment to helping these organisations succeed. There are around one…

Chemistry Week 2024

Did you know that chemistry is at the heart of everything around us? It’s essential to everything we touch, wear, and use, from tackling…

Passion and Academics: How Izzy Balances Full-time Musical Theatre Studies with Studying A level Physics

Earlier this year we introduced Izzy who was embarking on a journey to fast-track her A level Physics studies with NEC. In the second…

Why Study Psychology? – Key Benefits, Careers and What You’ll Need to Study Psychology at University

Psychology is a fascinating and valuable field that offers insights into human behaviour, thought processes, and emotions. Whether you’re considering a career in psychology…

Virtual Open Evening, 22nd October 2024

Discover how online learning works and how NEC can help you or your child achieve education and career goals by joining us for our…

My Experience as a Marketing Intern with the National Extension College

As an intern with the marketing team at the National Extension College (NEC), I had the chance to dive into a variety of tasks,…