28/09/10
Hello, I have just registered and paid for 4 GCSE courses from NEC. I researched lots of different institutes before finally committing to this one. The reasons are as follows: • Out of all the institutes I checked this one got back to me straight away with clear information and in detail. • They did not ask for my money straight away (always a good sign). • They answered every question I had in great detail and even gave me more information than I asked for on several occasions. • Their prices are quite good considering the level of service I have received so far. • Their customer support team is very efficient and know what they are talking about. • I got a very good feeling from them and I hadn’t gotten a single good vibe from any of the other institutes. I have only paid for everything today and will now wait for the books to be delivered. I will keep you updated as to how good they stay but so far I am very satisfied.

10/04/07
I have been looking at distance learning for at least the last 4 years, there has been many reasons why I've not started it yet but I've finally got my nerve together and got an application and filled it in waiting for me to get some more nerve together to post it!! :-D Anyways I've looked high and low (for 4 years!) at all the options of carrying on my education and I can say with confidence that NEC is the best choice. I have read in some places that some of tutors are sometime unhelpful but I think that's just opinion of the person who's asking for help you have to be assertive be sure of what you want and make sure you get that help and as the director of NEC said you only have to ask for another tutor if you are sure they are not being helpful. Think about it logically why would they want bad tutors?? Nobody would ever get good marks and people wouldn’t have kept the company running for 40 YEARS!! And as for buying books I think it’s a given that you have to provide your own books like if you went to a local college you’d have to buy your own books too, stop being whiney they’re not that expensive! Everywhere else seems so money orientated and only after getting your money and then not being at all helpful after it, I have read many reviews about places like ICS and other similar organisations not delivering what they promised. NEC looks so good and after reading their website through and through many times I am very happy with their course content, mission statement and the company history! I can’t wait to join up and start my A level in law, I of course will keep you posted about how it goes but I feel I’m not going to have any problems with them. I’m going to be paying in instalments and although it’s slightly annoying having to pay extra for this privilege it’s very handy for people like me who can’t fork out such an amount outright. All I have to say if anyone is thinking of starting it is make sure you have the time and the motivation to do it. You can also check out your local colleges for part time courses (they usually start around September) they do and they’re usually free or low priced. Also if you decide to hand over money to a company (especially over the internet) research is always the best idea! Have a look at reviews, read what is going to be in the course and what you’re expected to do, call them ask them lots of questions and also find out what they’re going to do for YOU. You are paying them after all to help you through your education…. Good luck to anyone who’s thinking of doing it I’m sure I’m not going to regret this choice!!

29/08/06
I am the Director of Study Programmes for the National Extension College. I am sorry that Katzeyz has had these difficulties, most of which would have been resolved by coming straight to us. In particular the tutor's assignment turnaround time and unavailability by telephone are unacceptable. Tutors contract with the National Extension College to turn assignments round within five working days and to be available for phone calls at the times they have specified in their welcome letter. We will gladly transfer a student to a different tutor at the student's request, and in this case we also need to have words with the tutor. It is true that our A-level courses cross refer to a particular textbook which needs to be purchased separately, but we make that clear before enrolment. We also make it clear before enrolment that in the end it is up to the student to arrange exams, but we provide lots of help for this including a centre in Cambridge that guarantees to take all students, and a rapidly growing database of welcoming centres round the country. If Katzeyz would like to contact us directly, we will be able to sort out her problems and help her to stay on track with her course.