Learner stories

“I left school at 16 with only GCSEs and spent 20 years in retail management before deciding I wanted to become a nurse. I was terrified the Biology would be beyond me after so long, but the course materials broke everything down so clearly. I sat my exam last June and got a B. I have an unconditional offer from my local university now.”

“I am 37 and made the decision to retrain as a civil engineer. The A level Maths course with Lift College was excellent — the tutor feedback was fast and genuinely useful, not just tick-box comments. Studying around a full-time job was tough but the flexibility of online learning made it possible. I passed with an A and I start my engineering degree in September.”

“I wanted to do a psychology degree but had not been in education since my early 20s. Studying online meant I could fit my coursework around the school run and evenings once the kids were in bed. My adviser at Lift College was helpful from day one — she explained every step and checked in on my progress. I got the grade I needed and I am going to university this autumn.”

“I took A level History as part of a plan to apply to read Law as a mature student. I had no idea if I could manage academic study at 41 after a 20-year gap, but the course structure was clear and the online platform made it easy to fit study around my work schedule. The tutor feedback on my essays genuinely improved my writing. I was offered a place at my first-choice university.”

“I needed Chemistry A level to apply for a Pharmacy degree. Studying a science online without lab sessions sounded daunting, but the course covers the theoretical content thoroughly and the virtual practical guidance is detailed. Lift College found me a local exam centre and walked me through the private candidate registration process, which I had no idea how to do. I passed and I am starting Pharmacy in September.”

“Working full time as a manager while studying A level Business was hard but the flexible study schedule made it work. I set aside two evenings a week and a few hours at the weekend. The course content was relevant to my job, which helped with motivation. My tutor gave excellent feedback on the practice exam answers. I achieved a B grade and have been accepted onto a Business Management degree starting next year.”

“Jason was brilliant — he walked me through every step of the enrolment process and started my Access to HE Nursing course within the week.”

“I was really panicking about whether I could do this, but Lucas was so reassuring — he helped me see the Access to HE course was exactly the right path for me.”

“The tutors tell you exactly where you have gone wrong and help you correct it — that level of effort and care is what makes the difference when you are learning alone.”

“I'd failed GCSE maths three times at school. The Lift College course broke everything down into practical problems I could actually understand — budgets, measurements, percentages. I passed Level 2 in eight weeks and was able to start my electrical apprenticeship.”

“English is my second language and I was nervous about the exams. My Lift College tutor adjusted the study plan to focus on the writing components I found hardest. I passed both subjects and I've now been accepted onto an Access to HE Nursing diploma.”

“I needed Level 2 English to start my healthcare assistant role at the NHS Trust. The remote invigilation meant I could sit the exam at home around my children's school schedule. Got my result in two weeks and started the job the following month.”

“My employer needed me to have Level 2 maths before they could register me on the Level 3 apprenticeship programme. Lift College was fast, the tutor was brilliant, and I resit my maths once after a near-miss and passed the second time. The whole thing took twelve weeks.”

“I left school with no qualifications at 16 and spent twenty years in retail. I decided I wanted to retrain as a social worker. Lift College helped me get both Level 2s in three months, then I moved straight on to an Access to HE Social Work diploma. Best decision I've made.”

“My initial assessment showed I was at Entry Level 3 in maths — lower than I'd expected. The Lift College team laid out a clear plan: Level 1 in eight weeks, Level 2 in a further ten. I followed the plan and hit both targets. I'm now on a logistics Level 2 apprenticeship and earning a proper wage.”

“I failed maths at school twenty years ago and the shame stayed with me. The tutor support made all the difference — I passed with a grade 5 and finally feel like I can apply for the nursing Access to HE course I have always wanted to do.”

“My employer was clear — I needed GCSE English to move into a supervisory role. Lift College helped me find the right exam board and an exam centre five minutes from home. Passed grade 4. Got the promotion.”

“I came to the UK as an adult and my overseas qualifications were not recognised here. Doing both maths and English together was manageable with the flexible timetable. Now I have the GCSEs I need to apply for teacher training.”

“I tried three times at school and never cracked maths. The online materials broke it down far better than any classroom I sat in. Passed grade 4 at age 34 and immediately enrolled on an electrical apprenticeship.”

“I needed GCSE Biology to meet the entry requirements for my Access to HE Nursing pathway. The course was well structured and the tutor explained every topic I was unsure about. Passed grade 5 — Access to HE enrolment confirmed.”

“I left school early and always avoided anything that required qualifications. The advisor at Lift College was straightforward — no pressure, just good advice. Now I have my GCSE and I am already looking at what comes next.”

“I had been a care assistant for four years without a formal qualification. Lift College made the whole process straightforward — my assessor visited regularly and I completed my Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care in just over a year. I was promoted to senior care worker the month after I qualified.”

“I had been a deputy manager for two years waiting to take the level 5. Lift College's support team sorted my enrolment quickly and my assessor was genuinely expert in care home management. Achieved the RQF diploma in 14 months and registered as manager with the CQC shortly after.”

“I had two years of care experience but no formal qualification. The Lift College team conducted a recognition of prior learning assessment and we were able to start at level 3 straight away. My assessor was patient and encouraging throughout. I passed my Level 3 RQF diploma and moved into a senior care worker role within the same organisation.”