2015-2016

I was so nervous about studying again, but my tutor eased me into it - Kerry McCash

I have always wanted to be a nurse but have always been unable to stop working to attend full time study at a college. I came across the DistanceLearningCentre.com website and signed up straight away. I was so nervous about studying again, but my first tutor eased me into it and made me feel like I could do this.

The course has not been easy, I have a full time job and three children but I dedicated Sunday's to studying and 2 evenings a week. The tutors have been fantastic and always on hand to help me if I needed it.

I have completed the Access to health professions, and now I have a conditional offer at my chosen university. I am so happy I came across DistanceLearningCentre.com, it has opened a new chapter in my life and I am really looking forward to starting university in September. (Jun 16)

Fab5 Award Winner 2016 - Maria Kirk

When I started studying Access to Midwifery with DistanceLearningCentre.com I was very nervous; I hadn't studied for several years and was very unsure of my ability to complete the course to a acceptable level.

During my time on the course I have had several different tutors and each one has been absolutely fantastic. They have all been very approachable, taken the time to explain things in detail and given support when needed; this has enabled me to finish the course with mostly Distinctions, which will stand me in very good stead for obtaining a university place to study my Midwifery Degree.

Thank you to each and every one of you, and I won't hesitate to recommend DistanceLearningCentre.com to people in the future. (Jun 16)

Fab5 Award Winner 2016 - Martin Harvey

I got to a point in my life where I'd been in the same industry for 25 years and began contemplating a career change. I'd been out of education for almost 30 years, but I had established that gaining a degree was going to open the door into my 'second career'. Gaining an access diploma was part of 'the plan' I formulated. I felt nervous about returning to learning and study after such a long break. The negative impact upon my limited time, and the muddled financing in accessing the qualifications I would require at 'bricks and mortar colleges' made me look at other well regarded providers and after some research I came across DistanceLearningCentre.com and signed up.

Over the past few months I started and completed my Access to Science (option 1) Diploma through DistanceLearningCentre.com. I shall not pretend to you that it's been easy; at 46 years of age there are so many reasons life gets in the way. I had a demanding full time job whilst studying, my wife is a full time student in the second year of her degree, our children are teenagers, both at different ends of the autistic spectrum. Juggling all of these factors whilst trying to schedule opportunities to study has challenged my time management skills to the extreme! I have gained so many academic and organisational skills from this management of time and priority; experience, which I know, will equip me for full time university study.

I would certainly recommend DistanceLearningCentre.com to others. The quality of the tutors (including their patience with me) and the supporting materials provided, have exceeded my initial expectations. Since overcoming my nervousness at the start I have succeeded in obtaining grades which greatly exceed those required to get onto my chosen degree.

Peer-to-peer interactions with other students using the official forums and Facebook group are encouraged and I consider that these interactions have greatly enhanced my learning experience ? there is almost always someone to chat with / ask for help / give help to - and I'm sure I've made some good friends along the way.

So if you're 'stuck in a rut' and thinking you'd missed out on the career you really wanted ? it's not too late ? you can do something about it ? you can get qualifications or head to university and improve your quality of life and career chances. Signing up to DistanceLearningCentre.com has been a great decision, my 'second career' is in sight as I am just weeks away from the beginning my first semester at university. It will be 28 years later than I ever expected, however I am so much more prepared for it now than I ever anticipated, thanks to my study with DistanceLearningCentre.com. (Jun 16)

Jan 2017 update: - Martin started a University course in 2016 however he has reported that the course had not met up to expectations and is looking at changing courses for 2018. "Even though you think you know what you wanted to do having selected and passed the access course, you may still find that the reality of what you thought you wanted to study is different. However, with the fact that the access course you passed will meet entry requirements for many other degrees - there are still options open to you to change. Although I am not happy with my course, the university experience per se is worth the effort, so do not give up on the dream - even if the dream is now different!"

Allowed me to develop academically ... and will massively support my next step in learning at University - Katie Harrison

Fab5 Award Nominee

My experience with DistanceLearningCentre.com has been nothing but fantastic from start to finish, from the ease of enrolment, the support received from all my tutors to the assignments themselves (which I really enjoyed doing).

The hardest thing for me was wanting to do the best I could possibly do, which often meant researching to an extent that I could have probably written a dissertation length piece of work for each assignment. My tutors guided and supported me in a way that allowed me to fine tune my focus, so that I could really get into the nitty gritty and explore my ideas in depth, rather than trying to cover everything in detail. The development of this skill has really allowed me to develop academically in terms of my writing and will massively support my next step in learning at University.

Without the support and encouragement I received from all those associated with DistanceLearningCentre.com, I wouldn't have been able to achieve what I have. To have the opportunity to participate in a course that is so well designed and is recognised by all the universities has been brilliant.

Due to ill health I was only able to complete 2 A levels, but I always felt that I had the potential to achieve so much more. Achieving such amazing grades in the diploma has helped me to realise that I'm not a failure and has really boosted my self esteem and confidence. (Jun 16)

The University suggested the Access route and mentioned DistanceLearningCentre.com - Stuart Parkins

I decided in my late (late) forties that I wanted to study a degree for both personal achievement and to gain new skills; inspired and supported by my children (both at University) and especially my wife (who went from Access to a Masters) I decided to apply.

Speaking to my local university admissions department, I found that my poor 'A' levels from 30+ years ago did not provide enough UCAS entry points. I asked their advice after explaining I'm self-employed and work long hours. They suggested the Access route and mentioned DistanceLearningCentre.com as a possible course to fit around my work.

The course was very well structured with supportive tutors. Though not easy, I managed to structure my time and finish the course. It took me longer than anticipated, largely due to work commitments and a sports related injury, but the structure and support, along with a helpful ILP (Individual Learning Plan) kept me focused and on track. The course has engaging materials that are highly targeted to a particular discipline.

I'd recommend DistanceLearningCentre.com to get back to study; they are professional and support the learner well. You will need to work hard and set aside time but it is achievable and I finished my Access to Health course with distance learning at 49 and now have an offer of a University place after gaining a recognised Access qualification. (Jun 16)