Alumni

DistanceLearningCentre.com is a great place to carve and polish your potential. Their highly educated and skilled staff work together to give you a great platform to achieve your dreams quickly - Zahida Sherry

Now

I arrived in the UK from Pakistan in 2007 on my own. No friends or relatives, no guidance. I was empty-handed but my heart was full of hopes and my mind was full of the positive ideas of achieving my dreams.

My reason for coming to the UK was to study for a degree in biology. Since 2008 I have been trying to enrol for a degree in biology at various universities but had no luck. Lacking knowledge, having no help, and being a foreigner, it took me nine years to reach the right place to set me on the journey towards starting undergraduate study. DistanceLearningCenter.com was that place. Having polite and helping staff, qualified and highly skilled teachers, reliable resources, and flexibility, this learning provider provided me with great confidence in studying virtually and using academic skills effectively. Soon after receiving my diploma from distance learning, I was offered a place to study at four of the five universities of my choice, including Manchester Metropolitan and Salford. Unfortunately, I was not a home student, so was not eligible for student finance or a student loan. I therefore could not afford to take up my offers.

In 2020 once again, I started searching through the internet for suitable universities and one day found the Open University and so I applied for an undergraduate biology degree course. There was an alternative solution available for funding called the OUSBA Loan, where you can spread the cost in easy instalments and quickly start repaying your loan. This was the best option for me to start. This year I started the 1st year of my biology degree and I have already submitted three assessments, achieving 100% for the first two of them, with the 3rd assessment yet to be marked.

I would say to the current students at DistanceLearningCentre.com, that they have made the right decision. DistanceLearningCentre.com is a great place to carve and polish your potential. Their highly educated and skilled staff work together to give you a great platform to achieve your dreams quickly. It is perfect for those who have genuine ambition and don't like to give up for any reason. I have no words to express just how much DistanceLearningCenter.com is mean to me.

In addition to studying for my biology degree, I have been applying the skills that I have gained from being a qualified midwife to volunteer with home Start, Revive, and the City of Sanctuary. These are charitable organisations. My role is to help and support individuals, families, and children who are in need, and refer them to the right places for further help. (Nov 2021)

Then

I am a qualified health visitor from Pakistan. I came to the UK for further study and work. But the problem was, the criteria for working as a health professional is very different in the UK compared to in my home country. It required more skills more knowledge and further education, so I planned further education. There were several barriers to clear to enrol on a degree course, especially the language. I needed at least GCSE grade C in Maths and English and a Level 3 Access to Higher Education Diploma.

I started learning GCSE English and Maths in local colleges, but having a few weeks old child and being ill it was so difficult to manage my home, my family and my studies. Although I tried to enrol directly with local colleges for an Access Diploma, I was unable to afford the costs. I was so upset and confused so was about to give up of thinking about studies.

One day miraculously an internet search changed my life. I discovered DistanceLearningCentre.com which was amazingly a nice solution of my problems. I enrolled immediately for Access to HE Diploma in Allied Health Professions course and studied and enjoyed. I finished the course last year and I am so happy.

I have already received the Diploma and I am ready to start degree in university of my choice which was just a dream in past. In fact, DistanceLearningCentre.com is a wonderful and a life changing facility for people who want to build their career. It has range of courses to choose from, with very friendly and expert tutors who love to help. I really enjoyed having easy access, adequate material for study and frequently answered questions from my own expert tutor. I also liked easy payment solutions. DistanceLearningCentre.com made me feel so lucky.

It is a fantastic, reliable and enjoyable source of virtual study. They helped me to build self-confidence and helped me to transform my future. DistanceLearningCentre.com is a great choice to save time and money. It was not possible for me to achieve this diploma without them. Thank you. (Jun 2018)

If I could see myself 3 years ago I would not have believed how far I have come. Thank you so much for giving me a second chance at a bright future, DistanceLearningCentre.com! - Jessica Brydon

Now

Since completing my Diploma with DistanceLearningCentre.com I have been studying BSc Adult Nursing at Cardiff University. My biggest challenge has been working through the pandemic as an adult nurse, however I have put myself forward for all covid wards and have learned lots about respiratory diseases as a result and the biology behind long covid.

My advice would be to experience areas outside of your comfort zone while you are a student and don't yet have a pin! I have been on an ITU covid ward, in Cardiff prison, psychiatric wards, theatres and paediatric wards to broaden my knowledge outside of adult nursing. Do what scares you and you will surprise yourself!

The essay writing practice and referencing from DistanceLearningCentre.com has greatly helped me at university. Due to this I regularly score well in my essays and research proposals. Meanwhile the biology and psychology modules have given me a strong foundation for the higher levels of human biology.

I am in 3rd year about to start my final placement! It has flown by quicker than I could have imagined. Placement is difficult when you have a full time job to support yourself and I'm proud to say I am on track for a first regardless. Work hard and you will achieve. If I could see myself 3 years ago I would not have believed how far I have come. Thank you so much for giving me a second chance at a bright future, DistanceLearningCentre.com! (Nov 2021)

Then

Knowing I needed this qualification to get into university, I was very worried as I have never been a high achiever. However with the help of the tutors raising my confidence I achieved 9 Merits and 36 Distinctions while working full-time!

I got offers from all of my universities and got into Cardiff University to do Adult Nursing! This course has showed me that there are no limits to what I can do and that the future is bright.

Thank you, DistanceLearningCentre.com. (Jul 2019)

After my Diplomas, my employers provided a mentoring programme which enabled me to develop my skills which wouldn't have happened otherwise - Tracey Gordon

Now

At the time that I was studying for my Diploma with DistanceLearningCentre.com, I was also working at a secondary school teaching English as a second language. I wanted to branch into teaching literature and first language but wasn't qualified. My aim was to do an English Literature degree and then go on to my PGCE.

Sadly, my dream to go on to University didn't happen due to financial constraints. However, my employers were very supportive of my career development and recognised the effort that I had put into doing well on the Access to HE Diploma. As such, they provided a mentoring programme which enabled me to develop my skills in teaching English literature and language which wouldn't have happened if I hadn't successfully completed the Access to HE course.

I enjoyed my Diploma with DistanceLearningCentre.com immensely and found it challenging and demanding in a positive way. I was a bit wary about doing a course as a mature student and I was daunted at the thought of studying online, but I felt very supported by the tutors and never felt short changed. (Nov 2021)

Then

I started the Access to HE Diploma English (Humanities) last year in order to gain access to a BA in English literature.

Being well over 40 and out of education for decades meant that I was nervous about doing this course to say the least. I had to juggle full-time work and single parenthood and was unsure if I would succeed.

In order to realize my dream, to progress into teaching, I had to bite the bullet and actually believe in my abilities and worth. The tutors on this course were incredibly supportive and knowledgeable and I can now look forward to more success in my degree course and inspire my own children along the way. I am now closer to realising my dream. (Nov 2017)

I felt that the course was great preparation for the academic challenges I have faced (and continue to face) during my degree - Sam Kenward

Now

Since completing my Diploma with DistanceLearningCentre.com I have successfully obtained a place at my one and only choice of university to study Midwifery. I'm now in my third and final year of my degree course at Brighton university.

The biggest challenge of the journey so far has been being pulled from placement in my first year due to the Covid pandemic. On the bright side though, doing an online access course certainly provided me with the unexpected advantage of being used to online learning! I have recommended the DistanceLearningCentre.com access to HE to many people who have expressed an interest in returning to education. I felt that the course was great preparation for the academic challenges I have faced (and continue to face) during my degree.

I will be close to 48 years old when I qualify and at the start I wondered if my age would hold me back, but it's never been an issue. My cohort age range is from 18 (at the start of my undergraduate studies) to over 50 and we all bring something to the mix. Every time I've had a wobble (and there have been a few) I just tell myself 'one step at a time'. It feels like five minutes ago that I was saying the same thing when I was struggling with my first assignment for my Access Course. I'm really proud of how far I've come, but it all started with that first step of deciding to study online with DistanceLearningCentre.com. (Nov 2021)

Then

I am a 44 year old mother of 3 boys. I decided a few years ago to pursue a long held desire to train as a midwife, I started this journey by getting my maths GCSE, I then started looking at Access to Nursing courses. Work commitments meant I needed the flexibility that an online provider would give me. A student midwife I was working with recommended DistanceLearningCentre.com; I'm so glad I listened to her advice!

Through DistanceLearningCentre.com I have obtained 45 Credits at Distinction in an Access to Nursing and Midwifery course. I have gained a place to study midwifery at the only university that I applied to.

In addition to the academic qualification that I needed, the course has given me confidence in my abilities. It has has been tough, I've been lucky to have the unwavering support from my husband and family and have worked really hard to complete the course in 9 months whilst working full time and trying my best to be a good mum and wife.

I now feel an amazing sense of achievement and pride as my hard work has paid off. I felt particularly rewarded when reading a message in my Mothers Day card, written by my 17 year old son who said "I'm very proud of how hard you work so you can do something you feel passionate about". My Tutors have been encouraging and supportive and have been really quick to reply to emails.

Thank you DistanceLearningCentre.com, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to anyone wanting to do an Access to Higher Education course. (Jul 2019)

DistanceLearningCentre.com are brilliant for encouraging independent study, and this is key when you reach university - Sarah Benson

Now

Since completing my Diploma with DistanceLearningCentre.com I have been studying Veterinary Medicine at Nottingham University. By far the toughest thing I experienced was "imposter syndrome". I think that feeling of "I shouldn't be here - how on earth did I get here? I don't deserve a place on this course!", can be particularly relevant to mature students, and I struggled with it a lot in my first year or two.

My advice would be to accept that your place has been very much earned by the work you've put in. DistanceLearningCentre.com are brilliant for encouraging independent study, and this is key when you reach university.

Many of the skills you need are not taught, they are self-directed and rely on your own motivation rather than a scheduled session and a structured format. Distance learning really helps to give a step up with this, and I think I found it less of a shock to the system than many people who came straight from A levels.

I'm now in my 5th (of 6) year of study and so I am currently around 6 months from the end of my clinical teaching. I won't gloss over the fact that it's been a tough journey, but I wouldn't change it for the world - and the days still fly by, even 5 years in. (Nov 2021)

Then

There comes a point where it gets too much, and I found myself asking why exactly I'd settled for a career path which couldn't give me the job satisfaction I craved. I decided that pursing that elusive career was better done late than never.

I researched University entry requirements and potential routes into higher education, having never completed A-levels. I found DistanceLearningCentre.com, was impressed by their accreditation and course structure, and settled on an Access to HE Diploma. I opted to take a short break from employment in order to fully dedicate myself to this decision.

DistanceLearningCentre.com provided me with a flexible solution; I could begin my course in February and moderate the following November, setting me up perfectly for a UCAS application in a very short academic year. My tutors were incredibly helpful, supportive and efficient from the word go. Tutorials were to hand whenever I needed a challenging concept explained, but the distance aspect really helped me to gain independent learning skills and work at my own pace. I found it a fantastic combination, and with plenty (!) of determination I walked away with a full house of Distinction grades, which was a wonderful feeling.

I balanced my course, which I completed in a little over 6 months, with nearly 4 months of relevant work experience to support my university application. It really was a crazy period in my life, as I lunged from working 14 hour shifts on dairy farms, to observing intricate surgeries, to sitting Chemistry exams and spending days buried in TAQs, or even being involved in post-mortem examinations. It was a whirlwind of learning opportunities, emotions and reality checks, as I knew every aspect was crucial to my application. I was determined to make it the very best it could be, and my efforts proved fully worthwhile when I applied to university in September 2016. I was offered two unconditional places to study Veterinary Medicine, which absolutely floored me. I shall be starting my course in September, and I couldn't be happier.

I can't thank DistanceLearningCentre.com enough for helping me to realise the aspirations that have loitered at the back of my mind for as long as I can remember. Believe in yourself, because it's all achievable if you put your mind to it. (Nov 2016)