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...

Our top 5 April Fools’

To celebrate April Fools’ Day we’ve been looking back on some of our favourite pranks and hoaxes. Here are 5 of the best: BBC…

World Poetry Day 2019

Today’s guest blog celebrates World Poetry Day and is written by NEC tutor Tracey Jones.  World Poetry Day is a celebration of poetry in…

The HG Wells’ Biology Textbook

In 1893, HG Wells would publish his first book. It was not The Time Machine or War of the Worlds. It was a textbook:…

A home-educator’s journey, part 6: Using learn@nec and Tutor Support

This post was originally published on February 22nd 2019 and updated on March 23rd 2020. This is the sixth in the series of ‘A…

How to write a poem like a Romantic

How are you celebrating Valentine’s day? Spoiling your loved one with gifts? Flowers? A romantic dinner for two? Or maybe you’re thinking of stretching…

A home-educator’s journey, part 5: Studying GCSE Sociology with NEC (Tutor response)

This post was originally published on February 12th 2019 and updated on March 23rd 2020. This week’s entry of our ‘home-educator’s journey’ series, is…

NEC comment: The scandal of off-rolling students

The National Extension College has supported and continues to support a diverse range of students. Although the majority remain adults who wish to return…

A home-educator’s journey, part 5: Studying GCSE Sociology with NEC

This post was originally published on February 4th 2019 and updated on March 23rd 2020. This is the fifth in the series of ‘A…

NEC comment: AEB devolution

A parliamentary debate on the subject of the Adult Education Budget (AEB) devolution, which is planned for launch later this year, is happening later…

See things from a new perspective and learn your way to better wellbeing

Learning new things has a multitude of benefits. There are the benefits you can see, like helping you to get in to university or…