Welcome to the ABCC
The Association of British Correspondence Colleges
We are the only trade association in the UK dedicated to distance learning providers.
Our Member Colleges all sign and agree to abide by our Code of Ethics - click on the tab above to read the Code.
This Code is your assurance of the high standards of our Member Colleges.
ABCC is a corporate member of NIACE, The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education
Problem or opportunity?
I am sure that everyone involved with open / distance learning was saddened by the news that broke in December, informing us that the parent body of NEC had gone into administration. However, as you will see from the ‘News Flash’, a ‘Phoenix’ is rising from the ashes.
Many of you will remember that, in the past, NEC was an active member of ABCC and I have been in touch with Ros Morpeth wishing the new venture well and offering any help that ABCC can provide. Watch this space.
Max Faulkner, Chairman
NEWS FLASH
From our friends at NIACE
National Extension College out of administration
The education charity, the Open School Trust, is the new owner of The National Extension College (NEC), which has been bought from the Learning and Skills Network after it went into administration last month.
Dr Ros Morpeth, who was the NEC's Director from 1987 to 2003 and who is leading the partnership to run the new NEC, said:
"Crucially, the values and mission of the reborn National Extension College will remain true to its founding father, Michael Young (Lord Young of Dartington) who founded both the Open School Trust in 1989 and the National Extension College in 1963.
“Equally important to the whole undertaking has been the consideration of the thousands of students who are enrolled on NEC courses. The administrators, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC), have ensured that the learners continue to have the student service and tutor support they need."
The Open School Trust is bringing an experienced management team to NEC. The new NEC is partnered by NIACE, The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, which has worked alongside it to move the College out of administration.
OUR MEMBER COLLEGES CAN PROVIDE -
Business courses, accountancy, bookkeeping, management and office skills
Computer skills for beginners and professionals, programming, web design, CAD, computer repair and maintenance
Building, construction, civil engineering, surveying, plumbing, electrical installation and other practical courses
Courses for GCSEs and A Levels, to add subjects to your CV or improve your grades, and for children and young people being educated otherwise than in school.
Creative writing, journalism, writing for the internet and blogging.
Alternative and complementary therapies, health and fitness, psychology and counselling.
Courses for leisure and pleasure – languages, arts and crafts, hobbies and special interests
For information on the many courses we have available, click on Courses on the navigation bar at the top of this page.
Why not take a look at our Course of the Week - chosen at random from the thousands of exciting courses available? Just click on the link above.
ABCC
Certificates of Merit
The ABCC awards Certificates of Merit to students who have captured the imagination of their course providers.
Member Colleges may nominate any student they choose, but an appropriate candidate might be someone who has -
retrained to get back into employment
achieved an outstanding exam or course result
overcome personal difficulties to achieve his/her goal
Read more of our students' success stories in our Hall of Fame - just click on the link at the top of this page.
Roger Allsopp
Student with The Writers Bureau
Mr Allsopp, a retired surgeon, joined The Writers Bureau in 2010. At the time his ambition was to break the record and become, at the age of 70, the oldest person in the world to swim the English Channel. He wanted to be able to write about his experiences and raise money for charity. He successfully completed his swim in autumn 2011 and since then he has helped to raise in excess of £400,000 for Hope a charity which is raising funds for new state of the art cancer research projects.
Since joining the Writers Bureau he has written two books which are part fiction and part fact. Their aim is to inform children and young people about cancer.
In addition he has had numerous articles published in magazines highlighting his achievement and bringing his charity to the attention of the public. He says:
“The Writers Bureau has helped me enormously…my tutor’s comments have been very helpful. My writing style has improved and I have been able to establish a good relationship with editors so that everything I have set out to do has been published.
HELP YOURSELF TO LEARNING!
Would you like to improve your employment prospects? Start up in business for yourself? Have you always wanted to speak another language? Take up a hobby or creative skill?
With our courses you can study when and where you like, make good use of your spare time or fit your studies into a busy life.
Now's the time to learn something new - to improve your existing portfolio of skills or to make a fresh start. Distance Learning is the ideal way to study, at your own pace and wherever you might be. Learning at home or learning in the workplace, you can take that step forward.
Click on the Courses tab and scroll down our lists of fascinating and rewarding subjects you can study at home with our Member Colleges.
All our Member colleges agree to our Code of Ethics, which guarantees you good service and good quality in distance learning.
In doubt over how to choose your distance learning course provider?
Please click on the tab Buyer's Guide to Distance Learning at the top of this page.
“I know that without the help and stimulation that I have received from the Writers Bureau that a target of £500,000 in one year would have been unachievable. I would have been lucky to raise one twentieth of the amount.
“The advice I have received from the Bureau has also helped me deal with the national, regional and local media. It is a conservative estimate that over 400 pieces of news coverage have reached an estimated 150 million people worldwide (if not more).
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