About Us
The National Extension College is a not-for-profit organisation set up in 1963 by Michael Young (Lord Young of Dartington), to provide a second chance at education for those who either missed out on education the first time round, or need to retrain in order to change careers.
NEC has been providing distance learning courses for 55 years and has helped thousands of learners to achieve their goals. Courses range from GCSEs and A levels, to childcare and management qualifications, and combine personal tutor support and flexibility providing an ideal solution for thousands of learners every year.
Press releases
Online Distance Learning Provider, the National Extension College, to...
Following the success of its first-ever online open event, held in October 2024, the National Extension College (NEC) is hosting a second... read more
26.02.2025 • By The National Extension College (Part of the Open School Trust)
Renowned online distance learning college to hold first virtual open...
Offering essential qualifications like GCSEs and A levels, the National Extension College (NEC) is holding a Virtual Open Evening on Tuesday... read more
15.10.2024 • By The National Extension College (Part of the Open School Trust)
Renowned online distance learning provider launches resit courses for...
The National Extension College (NEC) is now taking enrolments on two new courses for resit exams in November 2024. The National Extension... read more
12.06.2024 • By The National Extension College (Part of the Open School Trust)
National Extension College students receive their GCSE exam results
Distance learning students who sit their exams as private candidates are set to take the next step on their academic and career journeys after... read more
24.08.2023 • By The National Extension College (Part of the Open School Trust)
Cambridge-based educational charity celebrates 60th birthday
The National Extension College (NEC), who are based in Sawston on the outskirts of Cambridge, are reaching a landmark birthday in 2023 as they... read more
02.08.2023 • By The National Extension College (Part of the Open School Trust)
Workplace returners and adults seeking a change of career can apply for...
Adult learners could get up to £1,000 towards their study with NEC to develop their skills and help them to get back into the workplace or to... read more
27.07.2023 • By The National Extension College (Part of the Open School Trust)
Comedian Russell Kane and author Kit De Waal launch new scholarship in...
The Russell Kane Scholarship, through the National Extension College, will support 3 learners through their GCSEs and A levels. A new... read more
22.07.2022 • By The National Extension College (Part of the Open School Trust)
How ‘Eddie the Eagle’ Edwards Jumped Back into Education
As the Winter Olympics have drawn to a close we find out what happened to second chance learner Eddie the Eagle, the unlikely hero of the 1988... read more
01.03.2022 • By The National Extension College (Part of the Open School Trust)
How did distance learning students do in A levels and GCSEs compared to...
NEC students achieved a high overall pass rate of 98.5% in both GCSEs and A levels. Background 2021 saw another year of exam cancellations... read more
20.08.2021 • By The National Extension College (Part of the Open School Trust)
Cambridge-based National Extension College appoints new Chief Executive
The National Extension College (NEC) – one of the UK’s longest-established providers of distance learning – has appointed Esther Chesterman as its... read more
06.05.2021 • By The National Extension College (Part of the Open School Trust)
