Student Mark completed his HNC in Electrical & Electronic Engineer with UniCourse in August 2025, and talks about how he found confidence in returning to further education.
I decided to return to studying later in life while working full time as a service engineer. My main motivation was to improve my electronic knowledge, particularly around understanding circuit boards, so that I could become more confident and more employable in my role. I also wanted to prove to myself – and to others – that you’re never too old to improve your skills or take on a new challenge.
Balancing full-time work with study wasn’t always easy, but UniCourse made it achievable. Being able to study flexibly alongside my job meant I didn’t have to put my career on hold to continue learning. As someone in my late 50s and dyslexic, returning to education felt daunting at first, but the course structure and support helped build my confidence as I progressed.
I originally began training as an electrician and was completing my City & Guilds qualification. Unfortunately, due to COVID and the hands-on nature of the course being delivered part-time at college, I wasn’t able to complete it. Rather than give up on learning altogether, I decided to look for an alternative qualification at diploma level that could be studied online and wouldn’t be affected by further disruptions.
After researching the options available, I found UniCourse. What stood out straight away was that it ticked all the boxes for me. The course was fully online, affordable, and the payment structure allowed the cost to be spread in manageable tranches. The flexible timescale meant I could study around full-time work without unnecessary pressure.
Before starting the HNC, I also completed a maths course offered by UniCourse. This helped refresh my knowledge and gave me confidence before beginning the main qualification, which made a big difference to how I felt going into the course.
One of the biggest positives of studying with UniCourse was the level of support. Alongside the tutorial videos and workbook guides, each student is assigned a tutor. Mine was Mike Lopez, who was incredibly supportive. Early on in the course, I submitted an assignment on Boxing Day and was surprised to find it marked the very same day. This allowed me to continue progressing during the Christmas holidays, which made a real difference when juggling study around full-time work.
All of the tutors were approachable and available, with the option of video calls when needed. Questions were answered quickly, and you never felt like you were asking too much. UniCourse also didn’t apply unnecessary pressure during the course. There were no traditional exams, and instead the focus was on assignments, supported by helpful training videos and constructive feedback when work was marked. This made the learning process far more supportive and confidence-building.
I would highly recommend UniCourse to anyone considering returning to education, particularly mature learners, people working full time, career changers, and those who are dyslexic or need flexibility in how they learn.
Completing the HNC has given me real confidence. I no longer shy away from education and feel proud of what I’ve achieved. Most importantly, it’s shown me that you’re never too old to complete a higher level qualification or to keep improving your knowledge and skills.
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"You are provided with all the resources you need and the support is fantastic. I would recommend UniCourse to anyone looking for distance learning at their own pace."
„John Smith
HNC Student
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"I have enjoyed my course so far with UniCourse, I have found it a lot more flexible and can fit it around my hectic lifestyle a lot easier than attending college with assignment deadlines. Any problem I have had with the course have been answered very quickly. I would recommend UniCourse to others who are busy but want to carry on with education."
„Marc
HNC Graduate
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"From the start of the enrolment phase, UniCourse admin team made everything simple and clear how the course would be laid out with the program ‘Totara’ I would be using. The course is a very convenient way to study even if you are already fully employed like myself and lecturers were easily contactable and friendly. Overall I had pleasant experience with UniCourse and would recommend them to anyone looking to improve on their education"
„Jonathan
HNC Student
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"My dream of finishing my studies has been possible only because of UniCourse, they have given me the opportunity to be flexible with my studies and hold a full time job all at the same time. I would highly recommend them for anyone looking to study and work at the same time. I have found them to be very helpful with all my queries and they are quick to help me solve my problems. This is so convenient for me - I can study in my own time and in my own home no need to travel to college at a certain time. After finishing my current HNC course I hope to start my HND with UniCourse. They are fantastic i am very pleased with them."
„Golam
HNC Graduate
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"With a full-time job and 2 very young kids, a normal 9-5 course was not an option. It was becoming increasingly difficult to better my career options. Finding UniCourse on the internet has really opened up my learning potential. Their professionalism, knowledge and flexibility are really first class. To sum them up in one word.... Awesome!"
„Adam
HNC Graduate
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"I have found UniCourse to not only be a very convenient way to study as I am a self employed full-time electrician, but also the course tutor to be very helpful. Whether I require help by phone, email or a live web session he is always available. The tutor also returns marked work very quickly allowing me plenty of time to make any adjustments. I have found UniCourse to afford me the best opportunity to progress my career whilst also continuing to work full time. "
„Lee
HNC Student
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"I have really enjoyed my experience so far with UniCourse.org even obtaining a Distinction on my first module. The staff and lecturers are quick and helpful with their responses to any and all enquiries and the video conferencing platform is very helpful when discussing intricate subject matter. I would highly recommend the course to anyone wishing to broaden their horizons whilst holding down a full time job."
„Richard
HNC Student
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"Great tutors, easy to follow workbooks, great support, would highly recommend."
„Daryl
HNC Graduate
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"Time and place were severe obstacles to me achieving a HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Thankfully, the flexible options offered by Unicourse have allowed me to undertake my HND from home with them while working full-time. They have personalised my HND, allowing me to choose from many optional units. The traditional colleges I looked up did not offer option choices at all. I have also managed to complete my HND with Unicourse in a fraction of the time that would have been necessary at other colleges. I am really pleased that I made the right choice. The support I got was fantastic."
„Leonardo
HND Graduate
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"The flexibility of the courses and the professionalism of the staff make UniCourse a great way to improve your personal skills with a chance of a future career."
„Valentino
HND Student
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"If you want to succeed I personally suggest you apply to UniCourse. Why? After many years away from study I did my HNC. It was hard work but with superb help and guidance I obtained 8 Distinctions. This year I am doing my HND in Electrical & Electronic Engineering with UniCourse. Again, UniCourse are pulling out all the stops with high quality assignments, a one-to-one video conferencing platform, incredible feedback and comprehensive support when needed."
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