Student Stories

How NEC Helped Kari’s Son Niko to Continue his A level Studies Despite Long-Term Illness

When Kari’s son Niko was unable to continue his studies at college due to ill health, the family needed a solution to ensure Niko…

Embracing a New Path: Jill’s Journey from Online Learning to Career Success in Art History

In a world where career shifts and lifelong learning have become the norm, Jill’s story stands out as a beacon of inspiration. Having recently…

How Toby Found a Perfect Fit for His Passion: Online A level English Literature with NEC

Toby H, an avid theatre and drama enthusiast, had always been home educated. With a strong foundation of nine GCSEs, he was eager to…

How Griffin found a solution to his study needs: Online A levels with NEC

When watersports fan Griffin moved with his family to Portugal he was unfamiliar with the local schools and the education that they could offer…

Vivienne’s online learning experience – Distance learning as a mature student

It’s not everyday that we hear of students starting a course with us thirty years after first hearing of NEC. In this case, mature…

Embarking on a journey: My decision to ‘Fast-Track’ A level Physics with NEC

We’re delighted to share the first in a series of guest posts by Izzy an NEC learner who is sharing her learning journey with…

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…

Other articles...

Studying A level History of Art as a teacher to deepen knowledge and grow confidence

Daisy is a newly qualified Arts and Design secondary school teacher and she is studying the new A level History of Art with NEC…

Exploring the importance of lifelong learning

John has been a student with NEC for over three decades and is an amazing example of the fulfilment gained from embracing lifelong learning….

GCSE success for home educated student with partially impaired vision

Mohammed studied 7 GCSEs with NEC and achieved high grades in all of them, overcoming the challenge of having partially impaired vision. He has…

Lessons from lockdown – do we need to create an open school for the UK?

Peter Lavender OBE discusses lessons from lockdown, the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on attitudes towards distance learning, and the need to create an…

Top grade in IGCSE Spanish for keen traveller

Katie studied IGCSE Spanish with NEC and achieved a top grade of 9. Katie is a mature student and pursued her studies for the…

High-achiever in four A levels with NEC moves on to the University of Edinburgh

Timofei studied four A levels with NEC in maths, further maths, physics and economics and achieved great results, obtaining an A*, two A and a B grade…

Top grades in GCSEs for mature student with NEC lead to Open University degree

Belinda studied GCSEs in astronomy and maths with NEC as a mature student, and achieved top grades of 9 in both. She is now…

The National Extension College release A level and GCSE results

“It was impossible to fulfil my dreams without my parent’s and NEC’s patience, support, motivation and 24/7 accessibility to my learning materials [sic] during…

A* in A level Chemistry with NEC leads to degree at the University of Cambridge

Laura studied A level Chemistry with NEC and achieved an A* grade. Laura is now going to study Natural Sciences at Hughes Hall, University…

The National Extension College response to the 2020 exams fiasco

The National Extension College understands how important A levels and other qualifications are to our students. Over our 57 years as an education provider…