Want to learn more about improving English and maths skills as an adult? Catherine Paulson-Ellis discusses the advantages of gaining Functional Skills qualifications. Just about everyone in the UK has heard of GCSEs. After all, most children in England do them at school and employers often include them in job requirements, not unreasonably – anyone […]
Tag: distance learning
What are people studying during lockdown?
Right now, as many of us are stuck at home and social distancing, we are all looking for ways to use the time well – to improve our health, to complete all those jobs that have been on the to-do list for ages or try something new and improve our minds. We have seen a […]
Why study astronomy?
Whether you’ve been captivated by the recent solar storms or the flyovers of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites, astronomy has provided a fascinating distraction during challenging times. The great news is, you don’t need a fancy observatory or a university lab to study the stars. Whether you have a garden, a balcony, or even a small […]
We’re here for you – NEC price reduction
The offers listed on this page have now expired. For the latest information on our fees and services, including special offers if we are running them, please visit our fee information page. The National Extension College was set up in 1963 to help widen participation in education and we understand the important contribution we can […]
What is your career path?
With over 55 years’ experience helping people of all ages gain qualifications and meet their career aspirations, we know how important it is to make the most of opportunities and resources. National Careers Week (NCW) celebrates and promotes free resources and careers guidance in educational institutions across the UK. Focusing on careers guidance at this […]
Adult education is on its knees: ‘Let’s hope when the dust settles on the General Election, policy makers will take heed’
No one can doubt that times are tough for adult learners. Since 2003 there are 2 million fewer adults in publicly funded further education, and more than half the part-timers have gone from higher education, with devastating consequences for the Open University in particular. At the same time British firms, unlike their European colleagues, have […]
The future is digital for A level History of Art
Yesterday (12th November), I attended the official launch event of our online A level History of Art course, held at The Grammar School at Leeds, one of the project’s academic partners. Griselda Pollock (pictured above), Professor of Social and Critical Histories of Art at the University of Leeds, delivered a lecture to students from schools […]
How has the Brexit referendum affected A level Politics intake?
Academics at several universities confirmed “the Brexit effect” was driving a boom in applications for both politics and international relations degrees.* It is no surprise that since the 2016 Brexit referendum, and no doubt Donald Trump’s election in the US, there has been a general increase in people’s political awareness. In terms of education, this […]
Why we all need to be bilingual
Learning a new language offers incredible advantages, both personally and professionally. Whether you’re studying GCSE or A level French or Spanish, becoming bilingual opens up doors to many different opportunities. If you’re wondering, “Can I learn foreign languages online?”, the answer is a resounding yes! “I was looking for a way to improve my French, […]
Can you study science A levels by distance learning?
When considering taking A levels as a distance learner, you may be wondering if it’s possible to study science. Can you do A level Science online? Thankfully, yes! It is possible to study science subjects online, and in this blog post, we will explore how to do so at NEC. NEC offers a range of […]