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Flexible learning that suits you

Over 60 years providing quality distance learning courses including A levels, GCSEs and Professional Courses

Students

Are you a student looking to study online? We have a range of flexible courses to fit your lifestyle.

Parents

Are you a parent or guardian wanting to support your child through online learning?

Schools

Are you a school or sponsor wanting to expand your course offering but haven't got the teaching capacity?

Why study with NEC?

Established in 1963 as a not-for-profit distance learning provider, the National Extension College (NEC) has a strong, proud heritage in widening access to education.

Our courses can be studied flexibly, at any time and anywhere, and offer each student an exceptional level of support to achieve their future ambitions.

We are widely recognised as a specialist in online learning and continue to seek out new areas for innovation.

Tutors

NEC have dedicated tutors that are qualified teachers committed to supporting all of our learners.

Support

At NEC, we believe that everybody deserves a chance to achieve their learning goals, no matter their circumstances.

Exams

For many of our online distance learning courses, you’ll have to sit exams to get your qualification.

What our students say

"NEC were incredibly responsive and knowledgeable and the only online provider who went the extra mile to check on potential exam clashes and practical endorsements. We did a lot of research and found NEC the most helpful, experienced and also not pushy at all. I can’t recommend them enough – best company, service and content we have come across for a long time and true educators."

"I decided to re-enrol with the NEC to study for a Spanish A level after successfully completing a Spanish iGCSE with them last year. The person I contacted was very friendly and helpful. I asked if it was possible to have the same tutor as last year (as she was so good) and this was arranged quickly and efficiently. I'm really looking forward to studying for my A level with NEC as I had such a positive experience with them previously."

"Great course! The user platform is very easy to negotiate and the content is easy to follow which is exactly what you need when studying."

"Great learning materials from NEC. Detailed examples and lots of practice questions. The student forum is useful too as the tutors will respond to you on there also."

"I was looking for a way to improve my French, but as I work full time it has to be flexible. So I after researching I found this college and its A level French course. The customer service were extremely helpful about answering questions I had about the course before I committed. Now I'm on the course I find the materials and exercises really good and easy to follow step by step and the tutor has given me really helpful feedback and tips. I would definitely recommend this college to others, especially if you need a flexible way to study, or to study at your own pace."

What's new on the NEC blog?

Navigating the Complexities of Inclusion and Protective Characteristics in Education

   Welcome back to another engaging discussion on the NEC Podcast. In this episode, Esther Chesterman, CEO of NEC and Samreen Shah discuss the sensitive yet crucial topic: Protective Characteristics for Learners in Schools. They began with an honest admission of their nervousness, reflecting the importance and complexity of this conversation. To listen to […]

Demystifying the Exam Booking Process with NEC: Everything You Need to Know

Explore the essentials of booking exams with our latest ‘long-read’ blog, complementing our well-received webinar on the topic. We also address some thought-provoking questions from the session, providing valuable insights to assist you in your exam preparation journey. If you are keen to learn more, the webinar is available to watch here. Studying with NEC […]

Young male student, homeschooling with NEC

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 families are embracing this flexible approach to education for their children due to a number of reasons. Whether you’re exploring home education due to personal reasons, such as illness, experiences of […]

From SEND provision to digital transformation, the shared insights at the Schools and Academies Show 2024 offered practical steps for addressing challenges faced by schools writes Esther Chesterman, CEO at the National Extension College.

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 the education sector. Esther Chesterman, CEO at NEC reflects on her recent visit to the Schools and Academies Show 2024. Key Takeaways from the Schools and Academies Show 2024 As the […]

Every learner deserves to reach their full potential. Carefully crafting resources caters to students with diverse needs, abilities and learning preferences.

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 on creating a learning experience that is adaptable, inclusive and empowering for each student.  I’m delighted to share that NEC has been shortlisted for the Learning Technologies Award for Excellence in […]

Frequently asked questions

How does an NEC course work?

All NEC courses are online, which means that you can study whenever and wherever suits you, without having to attend a regular class. 

When you enrol we’ll send you an email explaining how to log in to learn@nec, our virtual learning environment and your gateway to the NEC community. 

You’ll get support from a qualified personal tutor and will be able to contact them through learn@nec messaging. Your tutor will be an expert in their subject and will be with you every step of the way, from introductory assignment to revision schedule.

All your course materials have been expertly written and designed to guide you through the subject, and carefully selected resources will be signposted within your course. Our course development team are highly experienced and include learning design experts, examiners, teachers and other industry professionals.

You’ll be able to work through the course at your own pace, completing assignments and uploading them to learn@nec for your tutor to mark. Your tutor will then upload their feedback for you to read. There are no deadlines (other than exams and non-exam assessment, of course), so you can work at a pace you’re comfortable with and that fits in around your other commitments.

Will I be able to meet other students on my course?

Through learn@nec you’ll be able to interact with other students in the course forums. Interacting with your peers is a great way of discussing what you’re learning and helping you to really understand it. In a connected world, there’s no need for an online or distance learning course to leave you feeling isolated. We use technology – like the forums – to enhance your all-round learning experience.

Are there any entry requirements to enrol on a course?

To find out about entry requirements, check the Course information page for your chosen subject, before you enrol.

None of our courses require you to have any previous qualifications, but for some we would strongly recommend that you’ve already studied the subject to some extent. We would strongly recommend that you have a GCSE in maths to study A level maths, for instance, to give yourself the best possible chance of success.

If English isn’t your first language, you should be aware that all of our courses require a good level of English comprehension.

For some courses, the assessment uses real experience in the workplace, so you must be working in a suitable setting when you enrol. This mostly applies to our childcare courses, where it is essential for some that you are assessed in a real work situation. For others you’ll be asked questions that relate to your working day.

As courses are online, you’ll need to use a computer to access your course.

If you’re still unsure about any entry requirements, simply get in touch with our friendly and helpful Course Advice Team who will be happy to talk through your situation and help you decide what to do.

Do I have to be in the UK to study an NEC course?

You can study an NEC course no matter where you are: distance learning is perfectly suited to international study. Some courses, though, do have requirements which you’ll need to check carefully before deciding to study outside the UK.

  • If your course leads to an exam, you should make sure that you’ll be able to sit the exam before you enrol. Check with the awarding body to find out where exams are held.  If you need to travel to the UK to take exams, some of our partnership exam centres are conveniently located near airports with excellent transport links. The British Council also often arranges exams in overseas cities, so it may be worth contacting your nearest office to check with them.
  • AQA does not conduct exams overseas, so if you are studying an AQA course you will need to come to the UK to sit your exams.
  • If you are considering enrolling on a childcare course, it’s possible that there will be an element of workplace assessment; this may be more difficult to organise outside the UK and will involve an additional cost. It’s also important to be sure that any professional qualification you gain will be accepted in the country in which you wish to work.

If you’re thinking about enrolling from overseas, the best thing is to contact us for a chat about your requirements first, so we can help you make sure it will work for you.

Do I have to enrol at a certain time of year?

With NEC you can enrol at any time and begin studying whenever suits you best. But it’s worth bearing in mind that if you’re taking a course that involves an exam, exam dates are on fixed dates. So you’ll need to enrol early enough to be able to complete all your assignments and any non-exam assessment in time. For advice on this just contact our Course Advice Team or look at the course information page for your chosen subject(s).

friendly NEC employee at desk. Ready to help NEC distance learning students with their online study
Want to find out more about how we can help you?
Want to find out more about how we can help you?

We have a team of experts on-hand to answer all your queries about our online courses.

We have a team of experts on-hand to answer all your queries about our online courses.